Taraab, a vibrant, East African musical tradition weaves in cultural stories and enchanting melodies straight from the lively heart of Zanzibar. The island’s Neema Surrie is the first female violinist ever to play it.
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00:00 (violin music)
00:02 Can a simple violin revolutionize
00:08 a musical tradition centuries old?
00:11 Yes, if it is played by a female violinist.
00:15 - Not many girls in Zanzibar play musical instruments.
00:21 I have been playing the violin for close to 10 years.
00:24 - Nea Masuri, the talented violinist,
00:27 has boldly embraced the art of playing Tarab music,
00:31 a cherished East African tradition
00:33 which embodies rich cultural tales through melodies
00:37 and is very common in Zanzibar.
00:39 - Tarab is one of the earliest forms of music of Zanzibar
00:44 and has both Arabic and Swahili influences.
00:47 Tarab is also different from other forms of music
00:50 as regards its audience,
00:52 since the audience is primarily people from Zanzibar.
00:56 (speaking foreign language)
01:00 - Hailing from the East African coast,
01:05 Zanzibar and Mombasa, Tarab music is a vibrant genre
01:10 blending Arabic, Indian and African flavors.
01:14 Sung in Swahili, Arabic and local languages,
01:17 Tarab's lyrics delve into themes of love,
01:20 society and culture.
01:22 This was first changed by Mariam Hamdani,
01:25 Nea Masuri's mentor and one of her biggest idols.
01:29 (speaking foreign language)
01:33 - I must say you've covered a large milestone,
01:37 but don't settle.
01:38 If you decide to settle,
01:41 you'll be satisfied and comfortable.
01:44 To get to the top, you have to begin with the basics.
01:50 There'll come a time when you'll attain great heights.
01:53 Just keep working hard and do not get tired
01:56 of harnessing your gift.
01:59 - In 2009, Mariam started the Tarab revolution
02:03 by forming an all-female ensemble in Zanzibar
02:07 called the Tausi Tarab Orchestra.
02:10 Since then, Mariam and the 15 female musicians,
02:14 all in their mid-20s to mid-60s,
02:16 have represented Tarab music worldwide
02:20 and thus become great role models for Neema.
02:23 I would like to have a music session with you.
02:26 All right, let's do it.
02:31 (upbeat music)
02:36 (upbeat music)
02:38 Neema is on her way to gain international fame herself,
03:02 working on her own interpretation of the classic Tarab.
03:06 - There are many ways to modify Tarab.
03:08 You can mix Tarab with fusion or Tarab with jazz,
03:12 just to make it sound modern.
03:14 (upbeat music)
03:16 In this journey, challenges are expected,
03:31 especially when facing discouragement and disappointment
03:34 from people who are close to you.
03:36 I was privileged enough to get my very first violin
03:40 when I passed my exams and won a competition here in school.
03:44 This enabled me to get extra time to practice at home,
03:47 since before I could only do it in school.
03:49 (upbeat music)
03:52 Before I go on stage for a concert,
03:57 I first tune my violin and then say a prayer
04:00 to ease any tension.
04:04 The song I'm about to play is called Kijiti,
04:06 and I love this song because it's the first song
04:08 I learned to play in Tarab.
04:10 (upbeat music)
04:32 - Nirma's dedication to honoring the essence of Tarab
04:35 while exploring new frontiers
04:38 has garnered widespread recognition in the music industry.
04:41 Her innovative approach to bridging Tarab with a violin
04:45 is an important step in safeguarding cultural legacies
04:48 and opening doors for more females in music.
04:52 (upbeat music)