Swahili literature is very rich. Shaaban Robert
is the best-known writer. His most famous work was a poem on the struggle
for freedom called Utenzi wa vya Uhuru. The work of Flora M'mbugu-Schelling,
a prize-winning filmmaker, shows Tanzanian women dealing with social issues.
Tanzanian music includes traditional music
known as ngoma, choral music by kwaya groups, dance music called
mtindo,
and modern jazz, which in Tanzania is known as "urban jazz." On the island
of Zanzibar, sung poetry known as taarab is very popular. Many musical
groups also function as social groups. Several types of drums are made
in Tanzania. Drums have fulfilled many functions over the ages in this
area. Drumming was used to mark the arrivals or departures of leaders and
to encourage the bravery of warriors. |
Did you know? |
Some
Tanzanian women wear a kanga, a brightly coloured cloth wrapped
around their bodies and heads. Kangas were named after a spotted
bird because many of the original designs featured white dots on a dark
cloth. |
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