Zenj Bar - Land of the Blacks

Zanzibar is an archipelago consisting of two main Islands of Unguja (commonly referred to as Zanzibar Island), Pemba and about 51 other surrounding small islets. Zanzibar is a partner state in the United Republic of Tanzania with the Mainland. The name Zanzibar is derived from a combination of two Arabic words, 'Zenj', meaning black, and 'bar', being the Arabic word for land, resulting in the ancient title 'Land of the Blacks'. As Zanzibar absorbed peoples from as far as the Orient and Iberia, Assyria and India. Pemba is the second largest island of the Archipelago, named Al-khudra "The Green Island” by the Arabic mariners. It is famous for its clove production and its channels offer some of the best diving experiences in East Africa.

 

Zanzibar consists of a multiracial and multicultural community. It is a society of many faiths and of different origins. Almost the entire population is of mixed races primarily of Arab and African decent and blended with local culture.

The largest town in the archipelago is the capital, Stone Town, located in the middle of the west coast of Unguja, the main island. The town was named for the coral stone buildings that were built there largely during the 19th century, on the site of a very old fishing village.

Tall houses line narrow alleyways set in a confusing maze radiating out from the centre towards the sea.The streets are too narrow for cars but not, unfortunately, for bicycles and even motorbikes. Life is lived very much as it was in the past and the many mosques’ muezzin calls can be heard echoing above the narrow streets five times daily. The architecture is Arabic, which means the walls are very thick, the houses tall and with square and simple facades. Many of the buildings have a central courtyard going up through all the floors, giving ventilation.

 

 

Zanzibar cultures became more diverse in its range, more unique in its expression. Zanzibar is the birthplace of Swahili, a language forged from global dialects, upon which legends were carried, trade routes opened and a Sultan’s empire prospered. It is here that the Africa Culture blended with other cultures mainly Persian, Arabic and Indian to forms Swahili Culture. Today the romance, the splendor and legends of the past are still vibrantly alive, traditional sailing dhows, carved wooden and doors, chests, the scent of the clove and the smile of the hospitable people welcomes you to Zanzibar.

 

  Many tours can be made to visit the various coconut and spice plantations and smallholdings out the in the country. The great variety of species and plants grown in Zanzibar is used to food flavouring and preparation, cosmetics, dyes and medicines. Delicious fruits, including orange, lime, coconut and banana are grown in Zanzibar, along with lesser known breadfruit, jackfruit and custard apple. Fragrant and aromatic species, such as cloves, nutmeg, ginger, chilies, black pepper, vanilla, coriander, cinnamon, seaweed can all be seen growing and are for sale on boutique shops and roadside stalls.

Pepper

Jack fruit



Lipstick fruit



cloves

Nutmeg




 



 

The paradisiacal shores of Zanzibar are exotic as its name. The blue ocean of Zanzibar is one of the most exhilarating experiences to be had on a holiday in this part of East Africa.

But more of that in another post!