Sauti za Busara Festival 2008 in Zanzibar Adds Samba Mapangala to Line-Up

The sixth edition of the Sauti za Busara music festival will take place in Zanzibar, 12-17 February 2009; admission is free to all each day before sunset. Samba Mapangala has just confirmed he will be performing with the legendary Orchestre Virunga. He is one of East Africa’s best-loved musicians, with a series of hits over the past 25 years, including Virunga, Ahmed Sabit, Vunja Mifupa, Sungura, Vidonge, Dunia Tuna Pita, and Nyama Choma.

Sauti za Busara (Sounds of Wisdom) is an international festival celebrating East African music taking place around the second weekend of February each year in Zanzibar. Featuring top-quality musical performances by more than 400 established and upcoming artists (40 groups in total), Sauti za Busara has already established itself as one of Africa’s leading music festivals. It’s an event that unites people in celebration.

Confirmed Artists (so far)

Samba Mapangala & Orchestre Virunga (DRC/Kenya/USA), Msondo Ngoma Band (Tanzania), Omar Pene & le Super Diamono (Senegal), Mangala Camara (Mali), Nawal (Comoros/France), King Ayisoba (Ghana), TY (UK), Meta and the Cornerstones (Senegal/USA), The Moreira Project (South Africa), Comrade Fatso and Chabvondoka (Zimbabwe), Jagwa Music (Tanzania), AY (Tanzania), Joh Makini (Tanzania), Elemotho (Namibia), Segere Original (Tanzania), Best of WaPi (Pan Africa), Culture Musical Club (Zanzibar), Mohamed Ilyas & Nyota Zameremeta (Zanzibar), Bi Kidude (Zanzibar), Iddi Achien’g (Kenya), Khethi with Kibo Sounds (South Africa/Tanzania), Rachel Magoola (Uganda), Wahapahapa Band (Tanzania), Omega Bugembe Okello (Uganda/USA), Aron Nitunga (Burundi/Canada), Safar (Zanzibar), Kiumbizi (Pemba), Zinduka Ngoma (Zanzibar), Dj Side (Zanzibar), and more to be announced