The 17th Cigogo Music Festival has expanded opportunities for traditional music artists by increasing their visibility through television broadcasts and social media, helping them attract new audiences, performance invitations and cultural exchange opportunities.
Speaking during the closing ceremony of the festival at the Chamwino Arts Centre (CAC), the Secretary General of the Nyati Mchoya Gogo Traditional Music Group, Yaledi Petro, said the annual event has become an important platform for promoting Gogo culture both within Tanzania and abroad.
“The festival has given us a valuable opportunity to be seen and recognised. Many people tell us they have watched our performances on television and social media. That exposure has helped us secure invitations to perform and has made it easier to promote Gogo culture,” he said.
Yaledi said the growing profile of the festival demonstrates the importance of investing in cultural events that preserve Tanzania's rich traditions while creating economic opportunities for artists.
He commended the Chamwino Arts Centre for consistently organising the festival and urged government institutions, development partners and private organisations to increase support for similar initiatives across the country.
“Festivals like this do more than preserve our traditions. They create employment, generate income for artists and provide a platform for showcasing Tanzania's cultural heritage to wider audiences,” he said.
Yaledi also highlighted his group's efforts to nurture the next generation of traditional performers, saying the Nyati Mchoya Gogo Traditional Music Group trains children from primary through secondary school in traditional singing, dancing, drumming and the use of indigenous musical instruments.
“Our objective is to ensure that Gogo cultural heritage is passed on to future generations while helping young people develop their artistic talents,” he said.
He expressed optimism that this year's festival would lead to international opportunities, noting that the group interacted with visitors from several countries who expressed interest in their performances.
“We have met people from different countries and exchanged contacts. We believe these new relationships, facilitated through the Chamwino Arts Centre, will create opportunities for us to perform internationally and continue promoting Gogo culture beyond Tanzania,” he said.
The annual Cigogo Music Festival brings together traditional performers, cultural practitioners and visitors to celebrate the heritage of the Gogo community while promoting cultural tourism, artistic development and the preservation of indigenous knowledge.
