Mawali--Taqsim: Improvisation as a Space and Technology of Humanity

Delving into the cultural exchange between West Africa and the Indian Ocean through the music genre taarab

Published with Fundação Bienal de São Paulo.

This third volume in a series of four educational publications in conjunction with the 36th Bienal de São Paulo centers on the Invocation held in Zanzibar in February 2025, focusing on the rich cultural dynamics of taarab. Far beyond a musical rhythm, taarab is understood as a framework of encounters and exchanges shaped by the confluence of influences in Tanzania and the Indian Ocean. This publication examines how these interactions have fostered a vibrant cultural landscape, offering readers insights into the ways artistic practices and historical exchanges intertwine to create a tapestry of shared heritage and creativity. Echoing the complexities of Zanzibar’s history--a crossroads of African, Arabic, Asian and European influences--this volume offers the possibility of reflecting on nuances and accents of humanity on an island that is a point of intersection for multiple cultures, philosophies and sciences.