'Ngoma' literally translated means 'drum' and is a term used to encompass all local traditional forms of dancing, drumming and singing. There are literally hundreds of different ngoma styles throughout Tanzania, variations often being so slight that untrained eyes and ears can hardly notice the difference. A number of these originate from Zanzibar and Pemba and all are spectacular to watch.

The often elaborate native costumes emphasize the unity of the dancers' steps and the rhythm section which usually consists of several locally hand made drums and percussion instruments (such as oil tins beaten with a stick)."Ngoma ya kibati" for example, consists of a very rapid declamatory style of singing which is an improvised dialogue to drum accompaniment with singers/dancers coming in for a chorus every so often. Another example is "msewe", named after the material which is strapped to the ankles of the male dancers, supporting the rhythm section. Each style has its own special costume: in "kyaso", men dance dressed in shirts and kikois (special woven cloth from the Kenyan coast) with a long, narrow stick in their hand, all movements beautifully coordinated. In "ndege" women in colorful dresses all hold bright umbrellas in their hands, moving forwards with slightly rotating steps and movements of the hips.