People have lived in Zanzibar for 20 000 years. The real history starts when the islands became a base for traders voyaging between Arabia, India, and Africa.
Unguja offered a protected and defensible harbour, so although the archipelago had few products of value, Arabs settled at what became Zanzibar City (Stone Town) as a convenient point from which to trade with East African coastal towns. They established garrisons on the islands and built the first mosque in the Southern hemisphere.
During the Age of Exploration, the Portuguese Empire was the first European power to gain control of Zanzibar, and kept it for nearly 200 years. In 1698, Zanzibar fell under the control of the Sultanate of Oman, which developed an economy of trade and cash cropswith a ruling Arab elite. Plantations were developed to grow spices, hence the name the Spice Islands.
Another major trade good was ivory from the tusks of elephants killed in mainland Africa. The third pillar of the economy was slaves, giving Zanzibar an important place in the Arab slave trade.
The Sultan of Zanzibar controlled a substantial portion of the East African coast, known as Zanj, as well as extensive inland trading routes. Over time the abolition of the slave trade came about when the British Empire took control.
In 1890 Zanzibar became a British protectorate. The death of one sultan and the succession of another of whom the British did not approve, led to the Anglo-Zanzibar War, also known as The Shortest War in History.
The islands gained independence from Britain in December 1963 as a constitutional monarchy. A month later, the bloody Zanzibar Revolution caused the death of many Arabs and Indians, and even thousands more expelled and expropriated. This led to the foundings of the Republic of Zanzibar and Pemba. That April, the Republic merged with the mainland Tanganyika, or more accurately, was subsumed into Tanzania, of which Zanzibar still remains a semi-autonomous region.
As Zanzibar was a country on its own until 1964 when unification took place, it has been influenced by many different cultures, including the great Orientals like China, Arabia and Persia. The history and cultures have also been strongly influenced by both traders and invaders over the centuries, from the Portuguese and Omani Arabs to the English, thus creating a very unique history and diverse culture.
The capital, Stone Town, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001 and is an eclectic mix of cultures, architecture and languages. What was once a small fishing village is now a thriving town with an extraordinary history and past.
The impact of the different cultures can be seen on the buildings and in the faces of the locals while walking around Stone Town. Coral and stone houses boast imposing wooden Zanzibar doors, set with brass studs to defend against charging elephants, intricately carved with scripts from the Qu'ran.
Indian houses have courtyards behind the shop fronts and delicate and beautiful carved balconies. Arab homes are characterised by their white washed walls, flat terraces and small windows. The reason for this window style is solely to preserve the modesty of the women.
Zanzibar does not have tribes. Local traditions are a fusion of different ethnic groups that have settled on the island.
Although Zanzibar benefits from Tourism, the majority of the population still makes their living from subsistence farming and fishing.
Zanzibar is a unique destination filled with history and character, beautiful beaches and wonderful people.
Important Cultural Considerations.
Zanzibar is a very religious country and consists 95% of Muslim people. To show respect towards Zanzibar's culture, visitors are requested to dress modestly and refrain from public displays of affection. When walking through towns or villages, women should wear clothes that cover their shoulders and knees and men should not walk bare-chested or in swimming trunks. Swimwear is acceptable on the beaches but topless sunbathing is not. Visitors are advised not to take pictures of people unless you've asked their permission.During the fast of Ramadan, it is considered the height of bad manners to drink and eat in public places or while walking down the street. Non-Muslims should also not enter Mosques unless specifically invited to do so.
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