Have you heard about Zanzibar?
Yes Zanzibar
Not that famous night club in Santa Monica,CA No! No!
I mean those spicy islands off coast of East Africa. Yeah the majestic spice islands of the Indian Ocean. The islands with best beaches, nice whether and nice spots of enjoying your vacation. Yeah is the one among historic islands in the world
yeah you can find it in guinness world record for having the shrotest war in history. These are two main islands of Unguja and Pemba.
Culture
Over centuries different cultures have influenced Zanzibar to become what it is today. Sumerians, Assyrians, Egyptians, Phoenicians, Indians, Chinese, Persians, Portuguese, Omani Arabs, Dutch and British have settled here at one time or another and influenced the local culture into the present fusion.
Zanzibar Cultures became more diverse in its range, more unique in its expression. Zanzibar is the birthplace of Swahili (Yes that famous language Swahili which is the second Most spoken language in Africa), a lingua franca forged from global dialects, upon which legends were carried, trade routes opened and a Sultan’s empire prospered.
It is here that the Africa Culture blended with other cultures mainly Persian, Arabic and Indian to forms Swahili Culture.
Today the romance, the splendor and legends of the past are still vibrantly alive, traditional sailing dhows, carved wooden and doors, chests, the scent of the clove and the smile of the hospitable people welcomes you to Zanzibar.
Prince Charles in Zanzibar
Climate
The heat of summer (corresponding to the Northern Hemisphere winter) is often cooled by strong sea breezes associated with the northeast monsoon (known as Kaskazi in Kiswahili), particularly on the north and east coasts. Being near to the equator, the islands are warm year round. Rains occur in November but are characterised by brief showers. Longer rains normally occur in March, April, and May in association with the southwest monsoon (known locally as Kusi in Kiswahili).
Festivals
Eid-ul-Fitr is the festival at the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. Also known as Eid or Sikukuu (days of celebration, festival or holiday), this festival is a time of giving charity.
Eid ul Hajj (also known as Eid-al-Adha or Eid al-Kabir) is the high point of the hajj season when many Muslims go on a pilgrimage to Mecca. The second celebratory feast of the Muslims is this feast of sacrifice, and Zanzibaris celebrate this three-day event with fervour. As the name implies, the importance of this festival lies in the sacrificing of certain animals as a commemoration of the prophet Ibraham (Abraham). Eid is a joyful experience and everybody is out and about celebrating. In Zanzibar the partying continues for four solid days and many open areas around town and in the villages turn into festival venues. It is a great time to see all the little girls in their new dresses and the boys in their new sneakers/trainers.
Sauti za Busara (Sound of wisdom), East Africa’s No. 1 festival brings people together in celebration of the richness and variety of African music. Is an African music festival that is held every year in February in Zanzibar, Tanzania. It is centred in the Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe), with fringe events taking place concurrently around Stone Town - including a carnival street parade.
Zanzibar International Film Festival [ZIFF] is a non-governmental, non-political and non-profit organization established in 1997 in Zanzibar, Tanzania. The Festival of the Dhow Countries is now the largest annual cultural event in East Africa, and among the eight major festivals in sub-Saharan Africa. It is scheduled annually around the first two weeks in July. The festival celebrates the arts and cultures of the African Continent, India, Pakistan, Gulf States, Iran and the Indian Ocean islands. It features an international film and video competition, music, theatre and performing arts, workshops, seminars, conferences and other related arts and cultural programmes.
Zanzibar Cultural Festival takes place towards the end of July each year, shortly after the international ZIFF Festival of the Dhow Countries. Drawing cultural troupes from different countries and many from Zanzibar, the festival is marked with strong traditional customs and a rich heritageof culture. It is decorated with “taarab” music, traditional dances, arts and crafts. It is held in various venues around Zanzibar Town, as well as incorporating street carnivals, fairs, canoe races and the bull fight from Pemba.
In coming posts we will see different Historic Sites, different beaches and marine parks
Yeah nice coral reef and dolphins.