The Dhow Countries Music Academy in Zanzibar

The Dhow Countries Music Academy is a leading cultural institution in the field of music education, as well as in the promotion, research, and preservation of traditional music in the East African region. Depending on your interests and skills, you can volunteer at the music academy to teach early music education, work in administration/communications, or assist with instrument restoration. If you are studying to become a music teacher, you can also undertake a supervised internship.

Zanzibar is not only the legendary spice island but also a place with a unique musical heritage. As with so much on the island, the music of Zanzibar reflects the numerous cultural influences of the people who have populated or visited the island in the Indian Ocean over many centuries as settlers, traders, seafarers, or colonial rulers. The island is a melting pot of African, Arab, Indian, and European influences. Taarab, the traditional music of the island, is the best example of this mix of cultures, mirroring influences from all of the above mentioned cultures.

The Dhow Countries Music Academy (DCMA) in Zanzibar is one of the leading cultural institutions in the field of musical education, promotion, research, and preservation of traditional music on a local, regional, and international level for the East and Central African region.

Founded in 2002, the academy, located in historic Stone Town, Zanzibar, offers musicians on the island the opportunity to gain basic musical knowledge, enabling some to pursue a career as professional musicians. Additionally, the academy is open to anyone who simply wants to learn an instrument. The tuition fees are adjusted to local income levels, and particularly talented students can be supported through scholarships.

The focus of the music instruction is on the indigenous traditional music forms of the "Dhow Countries," the coastal states of the Indian Ocean. In Zanzibar, this includes music styles such as Taarab, Beni, Ngoma, Kidumbak, and Ndege. Typical instruments for these music genres include various percussion and rhythm instruments, Western string instruments (violin, cello, double bass), Egyptian/Arab string instruments (oud, qanun, sanduku), the Arab ney flute, and (now mostly electric) keyboards. In addition to these, the music academy also teaches all other common Western instruments, as well as vocals and traditional dance.

In various projects and workshops, interesting fusions are created between traditional Zanzibari music styles and genres like jazz, funk, Afrobeat, Bongo Flava, Amapiano, and electronic music. The music academy also regularly organizes seminars, concerts, and masterclasses.

In several private schools in Zanzibar, the academy conducts early musical education for children up to 10 years old. This program aims to introduce children to music through singing, dance, and games. Since there is little room for this in the state school curriculum, the music academy organizes educational concerts at these schools, providing students with an introduction to their traditional musical roots.

How can you get involved?

Volunteers/interns can get involved in the following areas:

• Teaching music instruments: Volunteers/interns should have a good command of their instrument and be able to teach. There is a particular demand for piano teachers. Both professional music teachers and music students can teach at the music academy. Volunteers are expected to show an interest in Taarab, African, Arabic, and Indian music.
• Child music education: Knowledge of music education, especially in terms of child education, is expected. Volunteers/intern in this field could be music teachers or students training to become music teachers. Initially, they assist local teachers and can then teach on their own, depending on their capability.
• Construction/restoration of instruments: In Zanzibar, many old instruments are in poor condition and need repair. Currently, this is not being done due to a lack of expertise. Volunteers/interns can help locate and repair old instruments and teach the local population about the construction and renovation of musical instruments.
• Public relations: Students and professionals in public relations can assist with local, regional, and international marketing, PR, and communication of the academy’s work. Technical equipment (hardware, software, internet access) and financial budgets are sufficiently available to carry out this work.
• Librarianship: The academy has a large collection of books and musical scores that have not yet been electronically cataloged. Volunteers (professionals or students) in this field are welcome to implement a library system.

Volunteers/interns are given the opportunity to participate in lessons and activities at the DCMA free of charge as compensation for their efforts.