The lyrics of traditional taarab music would typically be laden with hidden meanings. The lyrical composers would self-consciously and indulgently invoke symbolism in most songs. "Most composers ...

Mombasa, Kenya: The king of Taarab music, Mohamed Khamis Juma Balo, is dead. He died in his house in Mombasa’s Old Town on Saturday night after ailing for long. Bhalo who practised Taarab for ...