Marafiki Music Festival 2022

A Celebration of live Afro-fusion music

20 bands and 128 artists from in and outside the country performed live at Marafiki Music Festival 2022 . The official artist’s lineup include Anna Katoa, Ricky na Marafiki, Theresa Ng’ambi, Papillion, Katoi wa Tabaka, Vitalis Maembe, Mishi Labda Kesho, Steve DC and Warriors from the East, among others.

This year’s Marafiki Music Festival was a chance to experience the cream of East African talent performing live on stage. The four-day event took place in October across two venues – Kijiji cha Makumbusho in Dar es Salaam and firefly, a boutique lodge in Bagamoyo.

During the four-day occasion, the festival engaged in several activities which include open conversation and debates about the music business that will be conducted under the theme, ‘Growing Your Brand Towards International Market’.

The event kicked off with a road parade, whereby artists and participants walked from ASEDEVA to Village museums followed by a workshop at Nafasi Arts Space for all art stakeholders. The Workshop topic was “Growing your brand towards the International market” by Lorenz Herrmann, 33 participants attended the workshop. Later, the stage was pampered with an amazing performance from Anna Kattoa, Katoi wa tabaka and the Mijikenda Jazz Band, Warriors from the east, Richie Lumambo, Tamimu, and the Dj session from Rdj Kwaro.

Second day the event opened up with the workshop session at Nafasi art space, whereby the workshop was facilitated by Msafiri Zawose “Fusion techniques on traditional and contemporary music” the workshop had 33 attendees from the arts sector. At night the fire of entertainment was lit on the stage by the Mambo tribe, Vitali maembe & watupa mawe, Boukuru, Lumumba theatre, and Rdj Blackiie during the Dj session. Their performance was overwhelming and they left a mark on the hearts of our audiences.

On the third day just like the first two days, the event started with the workshop in the morning till the afternoon which was facilitated by John Kitime “ Publishing and copyright”, 22 participants participated in this workshop. The

stage was blessed with a unique and amazing performance from Theresa Ng’ambi, Mishi labda kesho, Balaa MC, 3G singeli band, Zawose reunion, and Man kifimbo. This was the last day at Village museums and we had a great visit from BASATA, Kedmon Mapana the executive secretary of the art council.

The last day of the 3rd edition of the Marafiki Music Festival was held at Firefly Bagamoyo. The stage had an extraordinary performance from an amazing lineup that includes Pipillon, Hilary More, Steve DC, And Man fongo.

Marafiki Music Festival brings different art stakeholders and experts to share their experiences with artists in order to build artist capacity in various areas of their art and creativity – allowing patrons to enjoy wonderful live music and gain knowledge at the same time.

This year, the festival was a part of the #SANAAPRO Project, which is funded by the Embassy of France in Tanzania. Through this fund support, Marafiki Festival has managed to assemble artists and musicians from different countries for the showcases and knowledge exchange sessions.

The Marafiki Music Festival is organised by ASEDEVA and sponsored by Firefly Bagamoyo in partnership with Nafasi Arts Space, Alliance Française- Dar es Salaam, France’s Embassy in Tanzania, Acto Lights, and MuDa Africa.

ASEDEVA is a nonprofit making organisation working and registered by Tanzania Arts Council to organise various cultural and arts projects, events, and training for artists.

This year’s event was so successful, festival director Isack Abeneko is already inviting applications from performers for October 2023.

Credit To Isack Abeneko & Picture Courtesy of Rashid Nadhir