Zanzibar Island Local Customs

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Basic Swahili

As you walk down the road, your conversations will go like this:

You will hear (shouted at you) – “Jambo!” (Hello)
You reply – “Jambo!”
”Habari?” (what is the news or how are you?)
”Nzuri” (I am fine)
You usually hear “Karibu” (you are welcome here) sometimes the name of the village is said as well. I often heard “Karibu Jmbiani.” OR “Karibu Zanzibar”!
Always reply “Asante Sana!” (Thank You very much)

Sometimes after you have spoken to someone a little longer or purchased something from them you will be called “Rafiki” which means friend. This is heart felt and you rarely hear it unless you have become friends – in the village.

If the word “Rafiki” is shouted at you as a greeting – they are trying to sell you something, usually in Stone Town.

A Few Basics Words/Phrases:
Yes = Ndiyo
No = Hapana
Okay = Sawa
Maybe = Labda
How are you? = Habari Yako?
Good = Nzuri
Thank you = Asante
Hello = Jambo
I am fine = Sijambo
Please = Tafadhali (the dh is pronounced like a th)
Goodbye = Kwaheri
What is your name? = Jina lako ni nani?
My name is ...= Jina langu ni ...
I don't speak Swahili = Sisemi Kiswahili

Bia = Beer
Bia baridi = Cold beer
Daktari = Doctor
Duka = Shop
Hakuna matata No problem
Karibu welcome

Rafiki Friend

A young person to an older one: "Shikamoo!" (originally it meant "I touch your feet" as a sign of respect) and the greeted answers, "Marahabaa!" (I acknowledge your respect!).

** Please note that as this is a Muslim Country – never greet a woman in conversation outside. You may respond if they greet you first. **

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Zanzibar fought the world’s shortest war against the British Empire – and lost after 38 minutes. Sultan Hamad bin Thuwaini had been cooperation with the British when he suddenly died on 25 August 1896. His nephew, Khalid bin Bargash, seized power at the expense of another would-be pro British Sultan. Khalid was ordered to step aside. He did not. On the 26th, 5 British warships began the shelling of the Palace at 9:00 am. They quickly sank the H.H.S. Glasgow, the Sultan’s only warship, and the Sultan fled to the German Consulate. The war was over in 38 minutes and the British installed their own candidate who they then promptly billed for the expense of the shells used.

If you mindlessly tear at the labels on beer bottles, expect your barman to get slightly upset. Tearing at the label indicates to them that either the beer is bad or you are not happy with something. Or both! If you sometimes collect beer labels like I do you may want to tell the bartender what you are doing first so that they don’t get very anxious.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS FOR BUDGET TRAVELLERS, NOT SOMETHING AGAINST LOCAL PEOPLE. You have to haggle EVERY price in Zanzibar, except some restaurants. So, you can play the money trick to make sure you always get a good price. Tanzanian Schillings are weak against the U.S. Dollar, which everyone will take. Make sure you take some single $1 notes for emergencies. You get about 1100 to 1200 Schillings to 1 dollar. Agree a price and take in units of 1’s so it sound like you mean dollars. Some people will even say $1 or 1000 Schillings. They would say 10 meaning 10,000 Schillings. Schillings are cheaper for you. Go to any good exchange in Stone Town have some Schillings with you when you haggle. You agree ‘10’, hand over 10,000 Schillings, not $10. Too late, they know you know and they have just given you a 10-20% discount! I did this with a hotel and agreed ‘30’. I saved $10 over a 3 night stay. It makes your money stretch! You can also agree the price, leave to get Schillings and come back. The deal has already been done. Remember – if you do agree a deal, you have to stick with it.

***PLEASE NOTE ** Watch out for anyone trying to agree Kenyan Schillings, they are much more valuable than Tanzanian and only con artists would say this. $1 only gets you about 69 Kenyan Schillings. So 10,000 Kenyan Schillings would be $143!

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Unguja is the ‘Official’ name of Zanzibar. I am sure that somewhere on an administrative map this beautiful island is labelled with this hideous name. Forget it. The whole world calls it Zanzibar, especially the local people. Just take a look at some of my pictures. ZANZIBAR. Come on, say it with me. This complaint of mine should almost be in the ‘Annoyance’ category. Please do not use the official name trying to fit in here. Zanzibar. Just saying it relaxes you. Beside, this tip is another excuse to post 5 great pictures of the island.

Street Touts are often called ‘Beach Boys’ even when they are 40-50 years old. The local name for them is ‘Papasi’ the Swahili word for ticks. So what do they want? Most are friendly, definitely persistent and can be downright helpful sometimes. They will approach you just about anywhere. If you truly do not want any service of any kind, then be prepared. Here is what services they provide:

• Tour of Stone Town
• Other tours (Jozani Forrest, Spice Tour, Prison Island, etc.)
• Souvenir shops/crafts
• Taxi
• Hotel
• Help with bags
• Directions to a specific place (they walk you there)

Be polite. If you tell them ‘I already have’ and list several of the items above, they start to realise that you know how things work. I ‘hired’ one, or he hired me and I paid $7 for a 2 hour tour of Stone Town. I was shown everything and had a fascinating explanation of local life. They work on a commission. So if you go to ‘my brother’s shop’ and you buy something they get paid a small amount by the shop owner later. Always keep some small coins on hand. If you get lost or really need help you be able to give them a small reward for their assistance.

If you are here for a short period of time or just off a cruise ship, size them up first. Persistent, but polite is ok

On the other hand.

I did have an older one who kept talking to me in a bar. I am pretty sure he had a substance and/or mental health issue. The next day he saw me and was convinced that I had agreed to pay him for a tour of Stone Town. I had done this with another Beach Boy 2 days before. I even tried to hide in a shop who told me the obvious problem with our little friend. I ended up having to have a security guard running him away. Other than that episode I had good relations with these guys and they would always shout ‘Jambo’ at me when I was out and about.

Please note: This tip is also on the ‘Warnings' page just because of one strange man.

98% of the population at Zanzibar is muslims. This means that you have to show respect to the religion and the people living here. Cover your shoulders and dont walk around in mini shirts. You should know that even kissing is nearly forbidden. The imam has made a proposal to make a law which forbid kissing in public.

When you go out of Stone Town its the same rules, but if you are going to the beach you can of course wear bikini and beach clothes, but dont go around in the village like you go to the beach. I have seen bad examples in my "own" small village, Michemvi. This village are a new tourist target and not used to foreigners. One day I saw a lot of italians walking around in the village with bikinis with nearly nothing to cover. This is not nice. So try to take care. Remember your a guest in their culture.

It is always annoying to see foriegners looking down upon the locals or patronizing them. East Africans are very particular about showing respect, and this is more so among the Zanzibarians. Here are a few tips to get the locals to like you:

Asking for something: If you are asking a local Zanzibarian for directions, please start off by greeting him/her with hello or Salaama. Most of the locals, especially in Stone Town, speak English. Ask them how they are doing either in English or Swahili. Lonely Planet or any other guide book has a few pages of basic Swahili words. Even the minutest attempt to learn swahili will be appreciated by the locals. Then ask them for whatever you want. While thanking them, you can say thanks or Asante Sana (thanks a lot).

Showing respect is more important in the rural parts. On a bicycle ride from Kizimkazi to Uzi, the local people sitting under the trees would stare at me as I bicycled toward them. Their body language would change the instant I smiled and yelled "Salama". There would be smiles as they yelled Salama in return. Arab culture dictates that the person passing by should be the first one to greet.

Touts: The local touts, called papasi in swahili, are a friendly bunch. When you say no, please do it with a smile on your face. The touts in Zanzibar are nothing compared to some in other parts of the world ... if you dont believe me, try the ones in India :) Infact, I miss the all-too-familiar "Ooooye Rafiki"

Dress Code: Its best to dress conservatively if you want to get along well with the locals. This is especially true for women. Try to cover your elbows and knees. This can be quite challenging in the hot and humid Zanzibarian weather. For guys, please try to cover your knees too. Africans in general are quite well dressed, and looks matter to them.

Most importantly, you are in Zanzibar to chill out .. enjoy the experience, and let the locals help you do it. Sorry for the long tip, but I felt this was important.