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)
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