Map East Africa

In East African culture, the rhythms of music and dance are so filled with life that they seem to have their own heartbeat. The art and songs of the region are windows to a people who have incredible energy, happiness and an inspirational love of life.

Sounds and Rhythms

There are many types of popular music in East Africa. The island of Zanzibar is at the heart of taraab music, sung traditional poetry. Tanzania is known for music with hard-hitting lyrics and one of Kenya’s featured musical genres is benga, a popular form of contemporary dance.

Each ethnic group also has its own traditional music and dancing. Performances often tell stories and feature dancers wearing hand-carved masks and colorful costumes, moving to drumming so good it feels like your heartbeat.

Check Out This Dance Story from Uganda

The Amagunju dance is a special dance that tells the story of a sad day when the King died. The King did not yet have any sons, but his wife Namulondo was pregnant, so she sat on the throne with the future King in her stomach until he was born. Once the new king was born, his aunts and uncles would perform this dance to stop him from crying.

Maasai stretched aerlobes

Art

Maasai people form the predominant indigenous group that lives in Kenya and Tanzania. They are famous all over the world for their beaded jewelry. You might even be able to buy some in your hometown. In Maasai culture, beads are worn all over the body and often represent different stages that a person has reached in their life. For example, boys can’t start decorating their earlobes until they become junior warriors, when they are about 14.

Learn the Lingo

Practice these phrases in Swahili, a common East African language. Click on the words to hear how they are pronounced.

Hello / Jambo

How are you? / Hujambo?

My name is / Jina yangu ni

Will you be my friend? / Utakuwa rafiki yangu?

How much is this? / Hi ni pesa ngapi?

I love you / Nakupenda