Page 8 - Zanzibar

History www.shadowsofafrica.com

Many visitors assume that Zanzibar is a
single island, but this is not the case.
The island What really makes Zanzi-
bar stand out from other beach destinations
is the area’s rich history; with settlements
in the region dating back as far as the 13th
century on Pemba and the 14th century on
Unguja.
Of course, you can go back almost 20,000
years to uncover the full depth of Zanzibar’s
history, but it is its role as a major trade port
and colonial site that makes it such a fasci-
nating melting pot of cultures and architec-
tural styles.
The island of Unguja was a part of the Por-
tuguese empire from 1503 until 1698, when
it fell under the sway of the Omani Sultan-
ate who used the island as a major port for
the trade of spices as well as ivory and slaves
taken from the mainland.
It is this Arabic influence that is perhaps
most evident in the architecture and culture
of Stone Town, and historic sites such as
the Palace of Wonders and the former slave
market still stand as testament to this time
in the region’s history.
From 1890 until the islands gained their in-
dependence in 1963, the region was admin-
istered by the British Commonwealth.
With three different colonial rulers, the trade
they brought from around the world, and
the distinct local culture that existed before
European expansion, it’s easy to see how
Zanzibar has become such a melting pot
of cultures and styles. On the same street
you’ll find Arabic and colonial architecture
while native African, Middle Eastern, Indian,
and Caucasian children play together in the
streets.
A visit to Zanzibar and especially Stone Town
can be compared to time travel. As you wan-
der the town’s complex network of alleys
and laneways, you’re literally surrounded by
history. In fact, Stone Town is a World Heri-
tage site for precisely this reason.

8. Zanzibar