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Stone Town is the main attraction of Zanzibar. Its hypnotic atmosphere, dilapidated and crumbling buildings and strong Islamic traditions lure tourists from around the world for a truly unique experience.
You will find yourself aimlessly wandering through the narrow alleyways, on cobblestoned streets imagining yourself in another era ... the experience is indescribable!
The fusion of cultures on this little island is very evident, with all types of Indo-Afro-Arab architectures and a strong presence of colonial Portugese buildings. The dark stain of slavery history is also an attraction, with museums, places and monuments to visit.
A visit to Stone Town is a unique and mandatory if you are visiting Tanzania. Still, a word of caution. Stone Town is a bit overhyped - it may take a few moments to get used to - everything is dilapidated and like on the mainland, there are hustlers everywhere. But give it a couple of hours, and this mysterious place will get a hold on you and charm you - take my word for it! Leave a Comment
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This the postcard beach flanking the humble Jambiani village. The colours of the sea are amazing, and the beach itself with its white fine sand and multitude of palm trees is truly idyllic.
The only downside is that, as like with all of the East coast, the sea is highly tidal and is impossible to swim in at times (unless you try and wade for a kilometer!). If it is the middle of the day and the tide is out - acuna matata! Just try and get a fisherman to take you for a swim near the coral reefs offshore! It is a wonderful experience - both sailing in the little traditional fishing dhows as well as the sea itself - great snorkelling!
Along the beach you will also find plenty of young ladies offering you to paint hennas - try this out, for a couple of dollars you can get an authentic swahili henna tattoo. Leave a Comment Directions: East Coast, Zanzibar Island
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Different areas specialise in different goods, the meat market was full of animal heads and cattle horns as well as the normal slabs of meat as we know it. One stand had a jumble of shoes, I defy anyone to find two shoes that matched! The fish market was like fish markets all over the world, very smelly! The fruit market was full of wonderfully colourful fruits, looking almost too good to eat.
I love visiting markets everywhere I go, and this one was no exception. Markets are so full of life, so vibrant and colourful, and such a good place to see how daily life evolves in a place, what sort of goods are available and what kind of food people eat. Leave a Comment Directions: Halfway along Creek Road
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When the tide retreats, leaving behind hues of turqoise, brown and silver, out come the Zanzibari women in their colourful khangas. They wade for hours on end harvesting seaweed to be sold to oriental tradesman for just a few cents. This is a daily happening on the East coast, and a trademark of life in Zanzibari coastal communities. Leave a Comment Directions: East Coast, Zanzibar Island
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There are quite a few ruins sites in Zanzibar, and it is a good idea to visit at least one site to get a taste of this island's history.
One of the most accessible of these sites is the Maruhubi Palace ruins; about 4km away from Stone Town. It was once Sultan Said Bargash's palace and was built between 1880-1882. It used to house his many wives - each had her own bedroom, bathroom and toilet. In 1889 though, it was destroyed by a great fire and has been in ruins ever since. This palace used to have 2 storeys but the topmost one has collapsed due to the fire.
This is a pleasant an peaceful site, and the ruins look wonderful amongst the multitude of palms and the sea in front of it. Leave a Comment Directions: 4km away from Stone Town
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During the Omani rule of Zanzibar in the late 1600s, the slave trade flourished. The rules of Islam forbade the enslavement of Muslims, so Africans were imported to Oman in large numbers, many through Zanzibar. About 3000 slaves a year were traded in Zanzibar by the 1770s, by the mid 19th century, that number had increased to 20,000.
Slaves came from the interior of Africa, often tribal enemies being captured and sold, and were cruelly marched to the coast. Tied together by long chains, shackles on the ankles and heavy yokes on their shoulders, many slaves would die on the journey. Those too weak to continue were either killed or abandoned.
The boat journey from the coast to Zanzibar was harsh and pitiless, with slaves either placed below deck on “shelves” of no more than a couple of feet in height or on open boats exposed to the elements. Without the height to sit or the space to lie down, the journey must have been crippling. It’s hard to imagine what the slaves would have gone through. There can be no dignity left with such conditions, with no sanitation, disease was rife and the situation must have been unbearable – especially for those on the bottom “shelf” – everybody else’s waste from above running through the floors……..
Those who didn’t die on the journey or weren’t thrown overboard because they had contracted a disease or were too weak to fetch a good price, would reach Zanzibar unable to straighten their legs for several days as a result of the cramped conditions. After being cleaned up, the slaves would be paraded through the streets whilst being checked out by potential buyers. Slaves would either be bought to work on plantations in Zanzibar or continue to Oman or elsewhere.
On 5th April 1897 Sultan Hamoud signed a treaty to abolish the legal status of slavery in Zanzibar. Leave a Comment Directions: Near the junction of New Mkunazini Road and Creek Road. The Anglican Cathedral now stands on the spot previously occupied by the Slave Market, and a plaque on the floor in front of the altar marks the spot where slaves where sold!
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The house was built in 1860 for Sultan Majid, and is now the main office of the Zanzibar Tourist Corporation. David Livingstone stayed here before sailing to the mainland for his last expedition in 1866. The house has also been home to other famous explorers, such as Henry Stanley, Richard Burton, Speke and Cameron. Leave a Comment Directions: On the northeast side of town
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Zanzibar Town or Stone Town is the cultural and historical heart of Zanzibar. Stone Town, locally known as Mji Mkongwe, meaning old town is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. In many ways Stone Town looks like the medinas of North Africa by its lively bazaars, markets, Arab mansions, but especially by its labyrinth of narrow and twisting streets and alleyways.
The charm of Stone Town is wandering around in this labyrinth and looking at the nice mansions, the lovely verandahs, the famous decorated doors of Zanzibar, tiny shops and streetstalls and meeting the friendly local people.
For more information have a look at my Zanzibar Town page. Leave a Comment Directions: Westcoast of Unguja or Zanzibar Island
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As you walk the streets of Zanzibar town, especially in Stonetown, you will see ornate wooden doors dating back hundreds of years.
Most of these doors were carved by local artisans. Indian and Arabic influence can both be seen in these ornately carved wooden doors.
Each door is unique and was meant to reflect the socio-economic status and religious beliefs of the house or store owner. Some doors have koranic verses on them, some others with brass ornamentation were imported from India.
One of the most impressive doors is one of gigantic proportions that serves as the entrance to the Sultan's Palace (now a museum). It has impressive brass spokes in it and distinctly Indian in design. Leave a Comment Address: Alleys of Stonetown and Zanzibar Town
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Finally closed down in 1873, after slavery had long been abolished in most of the world, the Slave Market in Zanzibar operated for over 60 years, with an approximate 60,000 slaves passing through the market each year. Opened by Sultan Seyyid in 1811, slave trade boosted Zanzibar's economic status and it soon became East Africa's biggest slaving post.
Today, you can visit the market to see where the slaves were held captive before being sold in the open market. Hundreds of slaves were crammed in low ceilinged spaces and most died here due to disease or starvation.
The basement area of the market has been well preserved and walking through the slave holds, it's hard not to shed tears at the agony of those poor souls that never saw the light of day.
Outside at the exact spot where slaves were chained and then sold to the highest bidder, now stands the Anglican Cathedral.
A memorial to the slaves was later constructed in the courtyard of the slave market. Leave a Comment
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on July 5, 2005
on August 14, 2004
on August 14, 2004
on February 27, 2004
