The story behind...
Zanzibari architecture is unique in that it retells the story and highlights the continuity of Zanzibar's past. Indeed, Indian and Arabic influences are perceptible in everything including the smallest details.
Though Zanzibari doors are widely known throughout the world thanks to 'influencers pictures' or documentaries, few people are aware of their importance, which is found in that they retell a story that humans and World Organizations try hard to preserve: the story of slavery and colonization.
These doors are a map only "a connaisseur" can read, and I'm glad I had a historical tour of Stone Town with Ben, a native from the Island who taught me so much ☺️
..Zanzibari doors
Zanzibari doors are not just huge mahogany doors with cute ornaments for tourists to take pictures. These doors highlight the story of the cohabitation between Arabs (Omani), Indians and the native Swahili people of Zanzibar. Though they have been replicated around the world, none developed a stylistic tradition of the ornate complexity achieved by the artisans of Zanzibar.
They allow us to know who was living in these dwellings, the status these people had in the Zanzibari society, their beliefs and more. It was believed that the more exuberant the carving of the door, the more wealthy or socially prestigious the owners were. Indeed, according to historians "men of wealth and power sought to proclaim their affluence and enhance their social prestige by commissioning the carving of great entrances to serve as opulent indicators of the riches within. In the words of the explorer Richard Burton,
"The higher the tenement, the bigger the gateway, the heavier the padlock, the huger the iron studs which nail the door of heavy timber, the greater is the owner's dignity"
There are three different types of doors:
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The Swahili doors, which are the simplest
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The Omani (Arabic) doors
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The Indian doors (usually the most garnished ones)
The Swahili doors are the simplest. Rarely garnished, they are recognized by their simplicity.
& Thanks to my Zanzibari friend Juma for being my model
The Omani Arabic doors are recognized by their rectangular shape, the sometimes present Quranic inscriptions, and chains. Those chains show that they were slave masters, which is usually assumed in Zanzibar. Indeed, Arabs were the first to be on the Island and eventually became the first slave masters.
There is nothing else due to the Islamic ban on depicting living things.
Unlike Omani, Indian doors are round shaped and garnished with spice flowers of all type. They also have spikes, which according to beliefs protect the doors from war elephants deemed to be the most dangerous animals in India in the past. Those spikes were also considered to be a sign of wealth in the past. This explains why, even though some people were Arab, they would decide to have an Indian-type of door to show their wealth. Indians are allowed to have all sort of things on their doors, and they sometimes have lions and eagles to represent the prestige of the family.
2069 a.k.a the oldest door
It's important to keep in mind that not all doors in Zanzibar have a historical meaning. Some are just people front houses but are definitely typical of Swahili, Indian and Omani architectural influences
(be discreet when taking pictures :), The owner eventually came to say hi 😂)
