Zanzibar People & Culture

Zanzibar is an archipelago made up of Zanzibar and Pemba Islands, and several islets. It is located in the Indian Ocean, about 25 miles from the Tanzanian coast. Traveling to and from Zanzibar by air is possible via: Air Tanzania, Ethopia Air, Precision Air, Gulf Air and Kenya Airways

A more common method of reaching Zanzibar is by sea, from Dar-es-Salaam or Mombasa. There is a wide choice of vessels and your choice depends upon the cost, departure time, speed and comfort. There are usually 3 to 4 services departing everyday. The tickets can be obtained at the main passanger ports or advanced booking during peak tourist seasons. The departure tax is about US$ 5

Few places evoke such romance as the fabled spice islands of Zanzibar , Pemba and Mafia. Places of great wealth and power in the turbulent history of East Africa, they are today sleepy islands with beautiful unspoiled beaches and lush tropical vegetation, redolent of the cloves, cinnamon and other spices which flourish everywhere. Each island possesses interesting relics, but those on Zanzibar are of special interest. The former Sultan's Palace set in the gardens on the front, near the Arab Fort and Beit el Ajaib, the Sultan's House of Wonders.

The Marahubi Palace built for the harem of a sultan Prince in 1878 and the Kidichi Baths a gift from an earlier Sultan to his Persian wife. Many explorer stayed on Zanzibar and the houses where Livingstone and Burton lived can still be seen today

Zanzibar's local population is a mixture of ethnic backgrounds. Population is estimated to be about 800,000. The largest concentration being Zanzibar City which has close to 100,000 inhabitants. Zanzibaris speak the purest form of Swahili

The majority of the people are of Bantus with many Arab strains found throughout the island. They are not as tribal as may be found in Kenya or South Africa.The Tanzanian government introduced a policy of relocating and breaking up the tribes whose intention was to prevent tribal warfare, which occurs in neighbouring Kenya. Whilst this policy is today the main contributor of the prevailing peace within the country, it did lead to a disruption and lack of skills on Zanzibar, causing the current poverty.

The most famous event in is the Zanzibar Cultural Festival and The Zanzibar International Film Festival. The cultural festival is held in the July-August period and is marked with taarab traditional music and dance and display of arts and crafts. Every July, this event showcases the best of the Swahili Coast arts scene, including Zanzibar's favourite music, Taarab.

The island of origin of the locals pretty much determines what tribe they belong to. The Waunguja would emanate from Unguja Island, with Wapemba tribe from Pemba Island and Watumbatu from Tumbato Island. There is a tribal rivalry between the Waunguja and Wapemba. The majority of citizens on Pemba Island support the majority opposition party, whilst the citizens on Unguja support the ruling CCM Party.