MALKERNS – Taiwanese neo-soul artist ABAO will become the first musician from Taiwan to perform at an international event in Africa when she takes the main stage at the MTN Bushfire Festival on May 31 in Malkerns.
The announcement was made by Taiwan’s embassy in Eswatini, confirming ABAO’s inclusion in the 2025 festival lineup. She will be joined by the Nanguaq Girls, a youth ensemble made up of three young female artists—Kivi, Dremedreman, and Makav—all of Paiwan indigenous descent.
ABAO’s performance will run from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on the second day of the festival, with the Nanguaq Girls taking over the more intimate Bring Your Fire Zone stage on June 1 between 1:30 p.m. and 2:15 p.m.
Festival organisers described ABAO as one of Taiwan’s top music stars. Her sound fuses traditional Paiwan folk with soul, hip-hop, R&B and electronic elements. She gained widespread attention following the release of her 2020 album Kinakaian (Mother Tongue), which earned her eight Golden Melody Award nominations in Taiwan.
The Nanguaq Girls each bring a distinct voice to the stage. Kivi has gained a following through her reinterpretation of ancestral chants. Dremedreman, who was nominated for Best New Artist at this year’s Golden Melody Awards, and Makav have both developed strong reputations within Taiwan’s Gen Z music scene.
Taiwan’s ambassador to Eswatini, Jeremy Liang, said this marks the first musical and cultural exchange between the two nations, despite years of cooperation in areas like health, agriculture and business.
According to the embassy, Bushfire organisers approached them directly to suggest acts that reflect Taiwan’s cultural identity. ABAO and the Nanguaq Girls were chosen from a list of artists submitted by the embassy. Their trip is supported by Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture and funding from businesses in both countries.
The MTN Bushfire Festival, held annually at House on Fire in Malkerns since 2007, is one of Africa’s largest cultural gatherings. This year’s line-up also features South Africa’s Madala Kunene and Sibulele Xaba, DJs Bob and Bubbles, the Jägermeister Brass Cartel, and Digital Sangoma.
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