The 17th Cigogo Music Festival officially opened on Friday, July 24, 2026, at the Chamwino Arts Center (CAC) grounds in Chamwino-Ikulu, Dodoma, bringing together traditional artists, cultural stakeholders, entrepreneurs, and music groups from across Tanzania.
The three-day festival, running from July 24 to 26, aims to promote and preserve Cigogo culture while showcasing Tanzania’s diverse traditional music heritage through performances, exhibitions, cultural tours, seminars, and tourism activities.
The opening day began with participants taking part in a cultural tourism tour around Chamwino, including visits to the historic Tembe House and the Mama Tembe Wall Mural.
The tour was led by Victoria Mponda, Executive Director of Innovative Development for Future Generation (IDFG).
The festival also featured an entrepreneurs’ exhibition coordinated by Festival Coordinator Sospeter Mapana, giving local businesses, artisans, and creative entrepreneurs a platform to display their products and connect with visitors.
As part of efforts to strengthen the creative sector, artists attending the festival participated in a seminar on the Feel Free Grant programme offered by Nafasi Art Space.
The session focused on helping creatives understand available funding opportunities and how they can use them to develop artistic projects.
More traditional music and dance groups from different regions are expected to join the festival in the coming days ahead of major performances scheduled at the Chamwino Arts Center.
Organisers said the festival provides an important platform for safeguarding Tanzania’s cultural identity while supporting tourism growth and creating economic opportunities for communities involved in the creative arts sector.
Residents of Dodoma and visitors from other parts of the country have been invited to attend the festival and experience traditional music, cultural exhibitions, and artistic performances.
