Mim Suleiman
‘OUR VOICES ARE WHAT MAKE US SO UNIQUE I had to find mine’ The career of singer-songwriter and musician Mim Suleiman was launched in the UK – her adopted home – but her eclectic, soulful dance music is soaked in the sounds of her early years in Zanzibar. She sings mostly in Swahili, plays a range of traditional instruments and champions the work of pioneering taarab ‘sisters’. Here, Mim talks about new album ‘Si Bure’, growing up in Stone Town and why her music cannot be categorised.
All images by yu.and.me / email: hyunseung.yu@gmail.com
Q:
Can you tell me about your memories growing up in Zanzibar and what part music played in your life then? A: My family left Pemba to start a life in Unguja while I was very young. The majority of my childhood was spent in Shangani, Stone Town. I attended Tumekuja Primary School then Hamamni Secondary. My childhood
was rich – full of barefooted events, cuts and bruises, Creativity was part of our play. We made our own toys, dolls, wheels, balls and cars. When there was no electricity there were storytelling sessions with candles. Often the stories were told before bedtime. Sometimes they were scary. I remember not being able to sleep until the sun rose, scared that the monster with donkey’s feet was coming for me. I loved it
though. I wouldn’t have it any other way. All just perfectly splendid! Music has always been a big part of my existence. My generation were lucky enough to be exposed to not only the local music but also international. Music videos in the 1970s and 1980s were more accessible as televisions and video players were becoming popular in Zanzibar. Great music was coming from all angles. Basically, it
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