Zanzibar

Zanzibar is the result of multiple influences that have followed one another and mixed over the centuries. Its geographical position, off the coast of Tanzania, has always attracted envy.

The island's first inhabitants, the Bantu, arrived in Zanzibar around two thousand years ago. At 8^th century, the Persians set up trading posts on the archipelago, beginning the golden age of Zanzibar (trade in gold, spices, but also slaves) which lasted until the 16^thth century, interrupted abruptly by the arrival of the Portuguese.

But the British, who saw the island as a convenient stopover on the road to India, helped the Omanis drive out the Portuguese a few years later.

The rule of Oman made the slave trade, ivory and cloves flourish again until the middle of the 19^th century. The growing presence of Europeans on the continent weakened the trade and influence of the Sultans of Oman. The Zanzibar Archipelago officially became an independent sultanate in 1862. But in reality, it was a British protectorate that remained in effect until independence in 1963.

A month after the declaration of independence, the sultans were overthrown and Zanzibar joined Tanganyika, which would later become Tanzania.

Today, Zanzibar is an autonomous region of Tanzania. It is made up of the Zanzibar Archipelago in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of the mainland, and consists of many small islands and two large: Unguja (the main island, informally referred to as Zanzibar) and the island of Pemba. The capital is Zanzibar City, located on Unguja Island. Its historic center is Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The main industries in Zanzibar are spices, raffia and tourism. The islands produce cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, black pepper and many other spices. It is for this reason that Zanzibar is often called "the spice island".

The Zanzibar archipelago offers for tourism magnificent white sand beaches, the turquoise and crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean, a fabulous marine ecosystem attracting lovers of scuba diving and snorkeling and a terrestrial ecosystem home to endemic species such as the Red Colobus of Zanzibar.

STONE TOWN

Zanzibar Town, in the west of the island, is both the capital of Zanzibar and its political, cultural and commercial center. His historic district, Stone Town, is the true soul of Zanzibar. In the maze of alleys of Stone Town, we go from Bantu Africa to Persia, we observe a Hindu temple, wedged between a mosque and two Anglican and Catholic churches, we rob a spice shop or admire the old wooden doors.

Only a few streets in Stone Town (most of them near the market) are passable. Most of the time, people get around the old town on foot, by two-wheeler or by cart.

Stone Town, the historic district of the capital of Zanzibar, is a concentrate of history, it is a mixture of influences: British, Indian, Portuguese, Omani and Swahili.

As a result, the heart of Zanzibar is a city with unique and magnificent architecture, colorful and fragrant markets, narrow streets strewn with surprises, and a mixed and welcoming population.

Stone Town, the city of stone has been classified since 2000 at Unesco World Heritage.

The old town is filled with beautiful monuments, sometimes luxurious, often filled with history. Mosques, Hindu temples, palaces from the Omani period, colonial buildings, every bend in the lane is full of surprises.

There is nothing like getting lost in this maze of lively little streets, sometimes ramshackle, other times tidy, but always full of charm. The influences are so intertwined that a unique and unique identity emerges.

Stone Town's carved gates are world famous. There are more than 500 of them across the city, they were the symbol of a family's wealth, hence their rich decorations and imposing sizes.

The Soul of Stone Town, Darajani Market

The Darajani market is a must. Food market is also a real mess that spans multiple stalls, from clothes to light bulbs to fans. What marks a lot are the spice vendors. We don't nickname Zanzibar the spice island for nothing. Although this activity is now much smaller than before, there are still traces of this once prosperous trade, including the cloves which made the fortune of some traders.

The fish part is also striking. Swordfish, tuna and other fish of impressive dimensions are transported on human backs, whole, sold at auction in a chaotic atmosphere.