Zanzibar History

Zanzibar is a Island sub-state which is found inBritish territory.
Tanzania, there are two main Islands and severalIn 1873 the slave trade was classified as the illegal
small ones which make up Zanzibar Archepelegio.business, the slave market in Zanzibar was closed
The biggest islands are Unguja Island which isand the Protestant cathedral erected on the site,
popularly referred to as Zanzibar and anotherbut the institution of slavery was still open. Up to
Island is Pemba.1918 when British took over mainland from
Zanzibar has a length of 96km long and an areaGermans. During British administration many
of about 3,350sqkm, the Island is separated byformer slaves found that their condition had
the channel of 35km wide. Zanzibar has typicalchanged and some of them were employed with
coastal climate, warm to hot all year round, itlow wages. Zanzibar continued to promote with
receives more rainfall from March to May, and itexpansion of trade in cloves and other spices.
is windier than the mainland. These favourableThe social services such as hospitals, were very
conditions have had a profound effect on thepoor for African people, prority and quality in all
history of Zanzibar.things was based on race. School for children
The origin of the name Zanzibar is disputed, thebegan at six and continued to above 12years,
Oman Arabs believe that it came from Zayn Zalnormally all children of the house hold were taught
Barr, which means 'Fair is the Island'. The secondprivate by the female teacher in the room. There
origin is in two parts, the early individuals of thewere few schools for the children of poorer
Island were from the Mainland, and were givenparents. The only book would be the Koran. Girls
the name Zinj, also it come from Persian wordwould be first taught Arabic alphabets and then
that is subversion of Zangh which means 'Negro'reading from sections of the Koran, except in
and the word bar which means coast was addedfew case only boys learnt to write; whilst girls
to give 'Negro coast'.learned sewing, embroidery lace-making and other
The first recorded visitors were Arab tradersdomestic activities from their mothers.
who came from Muscat and Oman, they sailedThe marriage were restricted, that the girl was
with monsoon to Zanzibar in order to tradingnot allowed to meet with their expected husband,
ivory, slaves, spices, hides and wrought-iron.the girl was required to agree to the match,
These Arabs believed to have arrived in 18thalthough occasionally the match went against her
century, when they were in Zanzibar they spreadwishes. The bride to be was required to spend
Islamic religion and other Arabic culture . Thus theeight day in the darkened room, the wedding
Islamic religion is the dominant religion in Zanzibarceremony took place in bride's house, the bride
and the earliest building that remains in Zanzibar iswould not present ,but would be represented by
the mosque at Kazimkazi that dates from abouta male relative.
1100.In 1963 Zanzibar gained her independence from
In 1840, Sultan Said of Oman moved his capital toBritish, under Afro Shiraz party[ASP] which
Zanzibar from Muscat many of Arabs settled ingoverned by Abedi Amani Karume,and in 1964
Zanzibar were rulers and landowners, while Indianthe sultan was overthrown in the revolution later
settlers formed merchant class. In 19th centuryon after revolution Zanzibar combined by
after Britain had the interest to Zanzibar, theyTanganyika[mainland] to form Tanzania.
sent the explorers such as Livingstone, Speke andPlease visit Wild Things if you are interested in
Burton to Africa. In 1890 Zanzibar became thevisiting Zanzibar.