The Dhow Countries Music Academy (DCMA) in Zanzibar has been awarded the 21st UNESCO-Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture, marking a major international recognition of Tanzania’s cultural and artistic heritage.
The award ceremony was held at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France, where DCMA was officially announced as one of the winners of this prestigious global cultural prize.
The award recognizes the academy’s exceptional contribution to the preservation, teaching, and promotion of taarab music, as well as its broader role in safeguarding the cultural traditions of the Indian Ocean and Arab regions.
DCMA is a unique music institution in Zanzibar dedicated to traditional music education. It specializes in teaching indigenous instruments and musical styles such as taarab, kidumbak, and ngoma.
The academy also stands out for bringing together students from different countries, backgrounds, and generations, creating a shared space for cultural learning and exchange.
The award was received on behalf of the institution by Ms. Haldah Am Al-Kanaan, who represented DCMA during the ceremony in Paris.
UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany commended DCMA for its outstanding efforts in preserving and promoting Arab and Swahili musical heritage.
He noted that the international jury was particularly impressed by the academy’s innovative approach of using music as a bridge between cultures and its inclusive learning environment that connects students from around the world.
Tanzania’s Ambassador to France and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, Saidi Othman Yakubu, also attended the ceremony and witnessed the historic achievement.
He congratulated DCMA for elevating Tanzania’s cultural identity on the global stage through arts and heritage.
DCMA described the award as a great honor not only for Zanzibar but for the entire country, saying it will strengthen its commitment to preserving taarab and traditional music for future generations.
The UNESCO-Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture was established in 1998 through cooperation between UNESCO and the Government of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.
It is awarded annually to individuals and institutions that have made outstanding contributions to Arab culture and the promotion of intercultural dialogue worldwide.
In this year’s edition, DCMA shared the award with Moroccan musician and cultural entrepreneur Brahim El Mazned, in recognition of his contribution to cultural development and artistic innovation.
