THE CELTEL SAWA SAWA FESTIVAL 2008

Presented by Sarakasi Trust and the Royal Netherlands Embassy

It can now be confirmed that Senegalese Maestro Baaba Maal is the next big attraction during this year's Celtel Sawa Sawa Festival brought to you by Sarakasi Trust and the Netherlands Embassy. Baaba Maal will be headlining the Saturday May 31st performances slated for the Nairobi Arboretum from noon till 6pm.

Born 12th November 1953, Maal was to get early vocal training by assisting his father deliver the daily prayer call at their local mosque and from his mother who introduced him to the infectious Yele beat and folk songs of the Tukulor people. He later earned a scholarship at École des Beaux Arts in Dakar where, together with his mentor Mansour Seck, he joined Asly Fouta, a 70 piece orchestra band that toured West Africa in celebration of the Tukulor heritage. The duo later recorded their debut album Djam leelii in Belgium while on scholarship at the Paris Conservatory after which they returned to Podor and formed Daande Lenol, a nine-piece band that released a series of cassettes for the local people.

A series of fruitful collaborations increased Maal's popularity in Europe. He performed with British singer Peter Gabriel on the sound track of The Last Temptation of Christ (1988) and became a frequent presence at Gabriel’s Real World studios in Bath, England. Maal signed with world music label Mango Records and released Baayo in 1991. He followed with the disco-influenced Lam toro (1992) and the pop-tinged Firin' in Fouta (1994), for which he received a Grammy nomination for best world music album. While 1998's Nomad Soul continued in the Afro pop vein, it was evident that Maal was drifting back toward his Tukulor roots. His 2001 release, Missing You (Mi yeewnii), was a stripped-down acoustic masterpiece that utilized the ambient sounds of the African environment as a background track. In July 2003 the UN Development Programme named him a youth emissary, in recognition of his social works and his growing world popularity.

Celtel Sawa Sawa 2008 is a 3 day cultural celebration that brings the world's best talents at your doorstep in a family friendly atmosphere FOR FREE. The VIP Event is scheduled for 30th May at the newly unveiled Sarakasi Dome with performances from Mahotella Queens (South Africa), Habanasax (Cuba), Percus Nomades (Benin), the Jua Kali Drummers and Atemi (Kenya) and of course our own Sarakasi dancers and acrobats

The action moves to the Nairobi Arboretum the following day (31st May) with performances by Mahotella Queens, Percus Nomade, Ustad Rafat Khan (India) and Kenya's Atemi and Kanji. Baaba Maal will crown the day with what promises to be a superb show. Premiering at the Arboretum will be the Sawa Mtaani Urban Youth stage where different hip-hop and rap styles will be shared with the public. Amongst others Abbas, Imani and Didge are expected to give inspiring performances. Ghetto Radio will be present at Sawa Mtaani as well.


Afro Roots Sunday is on at Kasarani on 1st June with a line up of General Onyx, the Warriors and Heart and Soul from Kenya as well as Beef, Dutch best reggae band. Bringing down the curtain on the festivities will be Jamaican critically acclaimed Black Uhuru who are expected to delight their fans with a good dose of rich reggae sounds.

There will be a host of other activities at both venues ranging from exhibitions, food courts and children's play area. There will be ample and secure parking available for a minimal fee and general security will not be compromised either.

Celtel Sawa Sawa Festival 2008 is made possible by support from the Royal Netherlands Embassy and Celtel and other partners among them KLM, KBC/ Metro FM, Fairview Hotels, the US Embassy, Mundial Productions, Indian High Commission, Ghetto Radio, United Cultures for Development and Stadia Management Board. The festival aims to build audiences, promote culture and peace through intercultural performances and exchanges and capacity building.

For More Information Please Contact Rahim On: rahim@sarakasi.co.ke. or Ojay on: daveojay@yahoo.com