Tanzania’s Zanzibar Republic, commonly known as Zanzibar, consists of the two main islands, Zanzibar and Pemba, along with several smaller islands, covering an area of 2,657 square kilometers. The name “Zanzibar” translates to “Black Coast” in Arabic. Situated on the western central coast of Zanzibar Island, on the Shangani Peninsula, it once served as the economic and trade hub of the Zanzibar Empire.
The capital city, Zanzibar City, located on the western coast of Zanzibar Island, is the administrative, economic, and transport center of the Zanzibar Republic. It is separated from the mainland by a narrow channel in the western Indian Ocean. The two main islands, Zanzibar and Pemba, are 36 kilometers apart at their closest point, both composed of coral limestone with flat terrain and a highest elevation of 119 meters. The climate is hot and humid, with an average annual temperature of 25°C, a temperature range of just 4°C throughout the year, and annual rainfall between 1,500 to 2,000 millimeters, with rainfall distributed fairly evenly across the seasons.
East African Slave Trade Exhibition Museum
On Mkunazini Street in Zanzibar City, there’s a Catholic church that was once the site of Zanzibar’s largest slave auction market. Slaves were driven to the auction block with heavy iron chains, often whipped along the way. To atone for these sins, or perhaps to hide them, a church was built on the former auction site in 1877.
Back then, the value of slaves was measured by how many lashes they could endure. Those who fell after a single lash were considered “useless” and sold cheaply, while those who withstood ten lashes were sold for a higher price. Slaves who could endure twenty lashes were sold at double the price of those who withstood ten. Many slaves were treated like cattle, branded after the auction, and then led onto ships. Some were even buried alive. Near the western end of the city, close to the sea, stands the “Palace of Wonders,” originally part of the Sultan’s palace. This grand building has forty massive columns, each supported by the remains of sixty buried slaves.
Zanzibar Island is actually quite large. Nungwi Beach at the northern tip is the most commercialized and has the best tourism facilities.
I’ve been dreaming of visiting The Rock, so I kept looking for hotels on the East Coast. The Rock is located in Michamvi, with Paje to the south and Pingwe to the north.
I finally stayed at a hotel in Pingwe that was great value for money, although it had mixed reviews. It’s the kind of hotel I like, focusing on villas. My first impression wasn’t too great since I was asked for a printed voucher, which I’ve never encountered before. But the sea-view villa was truly stunning.
When the tide goes out, you can walk up.
My friend said it felt like a fairy tale.
So she went to take pictures of the sunset while I enjoyed my Aperol Spritz, which always reminds me of that summer I spent in Italy.
Paje Beach is definitely vibrant, with beginners learning the ropes and experts performing amazing aerial spins and jumps.
Zanzibar, a group of islands rich in charm and historical tales, has seen over three thousand years of change. From the early Bantu inhabitants to the Arab traders, Portuguese and Omani Sultanates, and British colonial rule, Zanzibar’s history is steeped in the aromas of the spice trade and the shadows of the slave trade. Despite its dark past, Zanzibar continues to captivate the world with its vibrant culture and history. If you’re looking for something to do this summer, why not pack your bags and head straight to Zanzibar for a lazy yet fulfilling vacation.
Stone Town
In the rain, Stone Town appears even more weathered, with most buildings showing signs of wear and tear. Inside, the structures are musty, and the town’s seaside location evokes a sense of Havana, Cuba. These once-thriving trade ports share a similar atmosphere: weathered architecture, a slow pace of life, an abundance of cats, economic hardship, and delicious street food. Yet each place has its unique charm. The intricately studded brass doors of Stone Town are particularly noteworthy, once serving to protect homes from being rammed by elephants and other large animals.
During a rare sunny spell in the rainy season, we strolled along the beachfront at sunset. Maasai people, vibrant as flames, walked along the Sunset Boulevard. Local children competed in diving tricks off the shore, and Maersk’s massive cargo containers dominated the port. While taking photos of my companion, a local university student passed by, jumped into the shot unprompted, and posed with a grin, asking us to Airdrop the photo, as delighted as if he had posed with a celebrity.
I recently read Empires of the Monsoon by Richard Hall, a book recounting the shifting dominance over the Indian Ocean. From Arab traders to the Portuguese, Spanish, and finally the British, the winds of history swept through the trade routes, with Zanzibar standing witness to the unfolding events.
Swahili is the primary language of Stone Town. Long before colonial invasions, from the 9th century onwards, Swahili merchants ruled these waters, controlling trade between Central Africa, Arabia, and India. Due to the six-month monsoon season, Arab and Indian traders often married local women, giving rise to the distinct brown-skinned population of Zanzibar. To facilitate trade across the Indian Ocean, many local merchants embraced Islam, and today, 90% of the island’s inhabitants are Muslim.
To the south of the old town stands a Portuguese arch, a remnant of Portugal’s two-century rule beginning in the 16th century, marking the dawn of the Age of Exploration. However, Portugal, being a small nation, lacked the manpower to establish a stronghold on the island. Their exploitation disrupted Swahili merchants’ livelihoods, prompting local elites to align with the Omani Sultanate to expel the Europeans. Thus began the Omani reign over Zanzibar in the 19th century. Meanwhile, European powers—Britain, Germany, and France—carved out colonies across the African mainland.
Today, within the old town stands the former residence of Princess Salme, an Omani princess, now a museum showcasing photos and records of the sultans who once ruled Zanzibar. This house offers a glimpse into the island’s rich Arab history.
By the late 19th century, the British clashed with the Omani Sultanate, gaining control over Zanzibar. One enduring relic of the British era is the Old Dispensary, located across from the ferry terminal. This 19th-century structure, originally a charitable hospital gifted by an Indian merchant to Queen Victoria, now serves as a museum, chronicling the island’s history under British rule.
