A small tropical island of Zanzibar, twenty miles off the east coast of Africa, present-day is infused with African, Arabic, Persians, European, Chinese and Indian influences. Its original settlers were Bantu-speaking Africans. From the 10th century Persians arrived. But it was the Arab incomers, particularly Omanis, whose influence would be paramount. The island has played an important part in local history out of all proportion to its size. The reason is its easy access to traders and adventurers exploring down the east coast of Africa from Arabia. Islam was well established in this region by the 11th century. During the 16th century there is a new category of visitor arriving from the southern Portuguese. They establish friendly relations with the ruler. But in the late 17th century the Portuguese presence comes to an end, after a forceful campaign down the coast by the rulers from Oman.

Zanzibar, a valuable property as the main slave market of the east African coast, becomes an increasingly important part of the Omani empire – a fact reflected by the decision of the greatest 19th-century sultan of Oman, Said bin Sultan, to make it from 1837 his main place of residence. Said builds impressive palaces and gardens in Zanzibar. He improves the island’s economy by introducing cloves, sugar and indigo (though at the same time he accepts a financial loss in cooperating with British attempts to end Zanzibar’s slave trade). The link with Oman is broken after his death in 1856. Rivalry between his two sons is resolved, with the help of forceful British diplomacy, when one of them (Majid) succeeds to Zanzibar and to the many regions claimed by the family on the east African coast. The other (Thuwaini) inherits Muscat and Oman.

By the time Majid dies, to be succeeded in 1870 by his brother Barghash, the British appointed a consul to Zanzibar. His primary task  was to end Zanzibar’s notorious slave trade. That purpose was achieved by a treaty with Barghash in 1873. Britain remained the only colonial power with a well-established presence in Zanzibar itself. With the approval of the sultan the island and its narrow coastal regions declared a British protectorate in 1890. Although only wielding a fraction of their former power, the Arab sultans of Zanzibar still during that colonial period had most influential leaders in east Africa. But their rule came to an end soon after the island’s independence in the 1960s. A new constitution, introduced in 1960, provides for a legislative assembly.

In 1963 the islands regained independence from the British, but upheaval lay around the corner. In January 1964 members of the African majority overthrew the established minority Arab ruling elite. A republic was established and in April the presidents of Zanzibar and Tanganyika, on the mainland, signed an act of union, forming the United Republic of Tanzania while giving semi-autonomy to Zanzibar.

Currently, Zanzibar is part of the United Republic of Tanzania with semi-autonomous Government with the President, Cabinet, Legislature and Judicial system. The Government is responsible for Non-Union matters.

Peoples And Culture

According to 2019/20 House hold Budget Survey the population for Zanzibar is 1.62 million at an annual growth rate of 2.8%. Its Swahili culture is a hybrid of African, Arabian, Indian and Persian practices. The official languages are Kiswahili and English. Arabic is spoken in selected quarters. The people of Zanzibar are predominantly Muslim. During the holy month of Ramadhan visitors are expected to refrain from eating, drinking or smoking in public during day-light hours

Beach holidays

Options for a Zanzibar beach holiday are many, but broadly, the island can be divided into five areas: Nungwi in the north, the east coast, the southeast, the west coast, and a few offshore islands.

Two or three hours’ drive from Stone Town, the village of Nungwi marks the northernmost tip of Zanzibar. Surrounded on three sides by a turquoise-blue ocean, Nungwi has long been a magnet for visitors seeking paradise. Come for some good diving and beaches, and proximity to a lively village where there’s always a lot going on.

Zanzibar’s east coast is lined with long, powder-white beaches. To the north, numerous small resorts boast similar beaches, yet all are quite different. Offshore you find the magical Mnemba Island – the ultimate island lodge for those who can afford it.

Continuing along Zanzibar’s southeast coast, the beaches remain stunning: powder-white sand with a barrier reef, lots of palm trees, and a wide lagoon between the beach and the reef. The villages become a little sleepier and more relaxed as you head south, and Jambiani, in particular, is very relaxed indeed: for an authentic visit to a friendly village, you can’t beat it.
In south-west Zanzibar, the Fumba Peninsula is a very laid-back and friendly corner of the island, with two good lodges, while offshore is the award-winning eco-resort on Chumbe Island.

A 30-minute flight north-east of Zanzibar Island, Pemba Island is comparable in size, but far more traditional in outlook, and visitor numbers here are tiny. Apart from a handful of honeymooners, most come for the diving, which can be excellent – although it’s really best suited to advanced divers.

Equally magical, although not part of the Zanzibar Archipelago, is the Mafia Archipelago. More remote, and quieter, than many places on Zanzibar, Mafia Island offers some superb diving and snorkeling in its own marine park, served by just a few small lodges. And new on the Tanzania beach holiday scene is Fanjove Island, an ideal spot to wind down after a safari in southern Tanzania