Taarab emerged in late 19th century Zanzibar, blending Arabic, Indian, and Swahili coastal musical traditions. The melodious genre features orchestral arrangements with oud, qanun, violin, and accordion, accompanied by poetic Swahili lyrics exploring love and social themes. Predominantly performed by female vocalists called 'malkia wa taarab' (queens of taarab), the genre spread across East African coastal regions including Tanzania and Kenya.
