Last weekend, the fourth edition of Isaano Arts Festival, an annual music festival that seeks to celebrate and amplify African music from across the continent, kicked off at Petit Stade.

The festival has grown to become one of the largest and most attended music festivals in the country, with a number of continental artistes set to perform. 

Nigeria’s hip hop/soul singer, Nneka Lucia Egbuna, Ivorian jazz star Aly Keita, Uganda’s Joel Sebunjo, and Zambia’s afro-fusion, jazz and blues singer Yvonne Mwale, are some of the artistes that graced the festival.

While many people turned up for the two-part festival, it was clear that the biggest number were foreigners, which should not be the case. So why are locals shunning festivals? 

Eric Soul, a deejay and one of the organisers of the festival, told The New Times that when abroad, especially in Europe, African music is blended with international songs to give it more exposure. 

"It is not the case here,” he says and adds that there are many aspects that lead to the low turn-up of locals. 

"It’s true that some locals are not interested in cultural music. However, a number of factors should be considered. The role of the media is a serious issue, and music promoters, and communication or the lack of it, all these lead to how people react to cultural music festivals,” he explained.

Soul, however, notes that pop/commercial domination is creating great influence in a way that even the essence of Rwandan music is diluted, resulting in low interest and awareness of music in general. 

"This is ironic given that the West is increasingly interested in global arts, including African traditional music. Sadly, in Rwanda it is all about following international stars like Lady Gaga,” he added.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw