βWomen have always been sidelined. So weβre radicalβ: the Zawose Queens go from Tanzania to Glastonbury
The multi-talented musicians were held back in their home country where even certain instruments were off limits β but theyβre ready to take centre stage at Worthy Farm
Walking into an industrial estate in Peckham, I can hear impassioned cries coming out of a rehearsal space located here. Soaring vocals are punctuated by the gentle strum of a thumb piano along with bells that are strapped to the shaking ankles of Pendo and Leah Zawose, who make up the Zawose Queens. Itβs their first time playing this music outside Tanzania β and if that wasnβt enough of a culture shock, some of their first-ever UK gigs will be a trio of sets at Glastonbury this weekend.
βWe donβt really have any idea about Glastonbury or what it will be like,β says Pendo, via Aziza Ongala who is the bandβs manager and acting as a translator. βBut Iβm told itβs a big deal. Iβm not sure weβre going to be able to grasp how big of an experience it is until we actually do it but weβre very excited.β
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