Music from the African Islands

We take a musical and cultural  journey across the African Islands of Zanzibar, Comoros, Reunion, Mauritius, Madagascar, Sao Tome & Principe, and Cape Verde. These islands located in continental shelf of the African geographical plate have for hundreds of years serve as the junction of  Asian, European, Middle Eastern, American and Oceanic cultures.

From Zanzibar and Comoros, we feature Taarab music that arose from the confluence of Arab, Indian, and african cultures. In Zanzibar, we check in on Bi Kidude, the 100 year old reigning queen of Taarab, who continues to challenge our perception of age, role of women in Islam vis-a vis drinking, smoking, dance, flirt and drumming. In Mauritius and Reunion, we bring traditional Sega music and its musical offsprings Seggae (Sega and Reggae) and Zeggae (Sega and Zouk). Madagascar, home to the worlds most endemic species also lies at the musical interphase of African, Austronesian,  Arabs, Indians, Asian, European, and American Influences. Malagasy music is highly melodic with predominance of chordophone, which are present in the high tempo and energetic coastal dance styles of salegy and tsapika.

Up next is the beautiful Atlantic Ocean islands of Sao Tome & Principe, where we explore the musical styles of Tchiloli and Danca Congo, that are based on the ancient african traditions of story telling and music. We learn the Puita dance, a sensual erotic dance done traditionally to revere the dead in Sao Tome & Principe. Then we head onto our final destination,  Cabo Verde (Cape Verde),  an Atlantic ocean island on the west coast of Africa. In Cabo Verde, we feature the traditional and contemporary musical styles of Morna, Funana, and Batuque.

National & International High Definition Listening (http://www.wort-fm.org/listen.php) or Browse past shows in our Archives for a week at http://archive.wort-fm.org/.  Stay tune every Saturdays 2-4 pm Central Time

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Linda Vakunta (Dj Linda)  &  Alhaji N'jai

PanAfrica Show (Saturdays 2-4 pm CST)

WORT 89.9 FM Madison

Wisconsin, USA

Ph: (608)-256-2001

Email: panafrica.music@gmail.com