Vibrant African performers wow Sharjah

Sharjah: Visitors at the second edition of Sharjah Festival of African Literature (SFAL 2026) engaged enthusiastically with a vibrant performance by the Dhow Academy from Zanzibar that brought musical storytelling and the melodious spirit of the Tanzanian archipelago to the festival’s main stage through traditional coastal rhythms.

The performance showcased traditional instruments that reflected the diversity of Zanzibar’s musical heritage, which the academy has specialised in teaching and practising since its establishment more than two decades ago. The Dhow Academy is dedicated to safeguarding Zanzibar’s traditional music, including Kidumbak and Beni forms, and musical storytelling. It also empowers the youth through education and live performances that blend African, Arab, and Indian influences.

ORAL STORYTELLING TAKES CENTRE STAGE: As part of the second day programme of the festival, which is organised by Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), the main stage also presented an oral storytelling performance titled “The Black Mona Lisa Series”, by South African artist MoAfrika Wa Mokgathi.

The performance, blending poetry, music and chants, honours the ancient traditions exploring the role of women in preserving memory and lineage through the character of Rakgadi (the aunt). The performance was supported by cinematic visuals on screen linking African traditions such as the Kiba music and dance genre and the Malopo ritual paying tribute to ancestors.

EXPLORING DIVERSITY AND SIMILARITIES BETWEEN AFRICAN AND EMIRATI NARRATIVES: Also on Thursday, panel discussions focused on exploring literature as a bridge between cultures and highlighting transformations of identity within intertwined local and global contexts.

Discussions reflected the diversity of African experiences and their contemporary extensions, while also underscoring the shared ground between children’s storytelling traditions in the UAE and African countries.

The session on “Shared Stories for Young Readers” – featuring Nahida Esmail, Richard Mabala, and Fatima Al Ameri, and moderated by Toyin Akanni – examined key features of children’s literature in Africa and the UAE as a product of oral traditions, folk tales, and community values.

The panel explored how these narratives can reinforce identity while addressing universal themes — such as curiosity, honesty, integrity, and belonging — enabling them to resonate with young readers across cultures worldwide. Speakers also emphasised the role of children’s stories in cultivating empathy and cross-cultural understanding from an early age.