Historical Tour of Stone Town
When you talk about Zanzibar, very few people know about Stone Town, which is sad because Stone Town is ZE HEART of Zanzibar, like REAAAALLY! Besides the beautiful beaches Zanzibar is known for, we shouldn't forget that it was once considered THE CENTRE OF THE SLAVE TRADE ‼️ Therefore, not only through its name, which means black people island (the island of the black man sounds better) but also through its different historical sites (most of them recognized by UNESCO), Zanzibar is a historical GEM! ✨
I'm not well versed in History (used to despise the subject back in High School), but if I was told history the way I was during my stay in Zanzibar, maybe I would have scored better grades at my History exams... just sayiiing
Enough talking, let me give you the A-Z for a historical tour of Stone Town.
First of all, the good thing to keep in mind is that most historical sites in Zanzibar don't require you to pay to visit ( FREE TOURISM YAAY🙌🏾💃🏾), which is AWESOME. Now, you may wonder, well how am I supposed to know about the history, the significance of that place with no guide to explain? Don't worry, Stone Town got you (and I literally mean it).
Next to most of those places are big charming boards that give you the story behind every site. They are written in English and Swahili so you better learn English 😬( like come on, who speaks French nowadays #DontJudgeMe). Take a look🔻
So basically, you don't really need a guide. During my first days in Zanzibar, I decided to wake up early ( before everyone) to visit Zanzibar on my own ( and don't worry, Zanzibar is really safe, at least from my experience). I did this mostly because after the call to prayer at 6 a.m, I couldn't sleep anymore. It was honestly a good decision. Stone Town is always soooo busy and crowded that walking around the town freely, with no noise, no tourists, just you the wind, the sun and birds was amazing and I LOVED IT 🥰
There are chances that you get lost in Stone Town because it is really a MAZE, but that's the fun of it! Below are the shots I got from my wandering around town. I even got further than the historical city and went where Zanzibari live (if you go to Zanzibar, you will notice that Stone town is divided in two: the historical part of town where tourists usually stay and the part where the local population lives... the contrast is not that big but it is still astonishing)
However, if you do want a guide, breaaaathe, and don't worry because many people ( random or real guides) offer free tours. There are definitely travel agencies that will make you pay but why pay when you can have it for FREE-iiiish! I said free-ish because it is always nice of you to add a tip to thank them for the effort and commitment. To find the free tours, walk around town, ask in hotel and hostels. I found mine at my Hostel Lost & Found - the coolest hostel ever (review to come 🔜) and my guide was Ben from #YakoTours
So what did I learn with all of this because I ain't been walking for no reason...
CULTURE TIME, quick historical & cultural facts
Stone Town
The name "Stone Town" comes from the fact that most of the houses are built with stones! Yup 🤷🏾
As mentioned before, Zanzibar was the centre of the slave trade. Most of the slave business was taking place there. Therefore, many historical sites have a correlation with slavery.
Because of the important historical events that took place there, Stone Town is a Unesco World Heritage site. Thus, it is impossible to build anything without UNESCO permission. Moreover, if you are to build something, it MUST be inspired by the Arabic or Indian architecture already present. This is done in order to preserve Stone Town's image which plays an important part in its history.
The architecture
Zanzibari doors
Zanzibari doors are not just huge mahogany doors with cute ornaments for tourists to take pictures. Each of these doors (first imported from India) are unique in that they tell us stories only "a connaisseur" would know. These doors retell the story of the cohabitation between Arabs (Omani), Indians and the native Swahili people of Zanzibar.
They tell us who was living there, what status these people had in the Zanzibari society etc. In general, the more exuberant the carving, the more wealthy or socially prestigious the owners were.
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
Not all doors in Zanzibar have a historical meaning. Some are just people front houses so be discreet when taking pictures :)
Zanzibari houses
Because of the Arabic influence, Zanzibari build their houses with mangrove trees (roof and veils). Additionally, most of their houses have a veranda, which is a nice place to sit outside and relax since it can get very hot in Zanzibar.
Attached to those are Barazas, which serve as a meeting point or a place to welcome visitors and keep the interior of the house private for close friends. If you ever get lost in Stone Town alleys, pay attention to it.
One of the most popular meeting place surrounded by Baraza is Jaws Corners also known as a great place to taste coffee the zanzibar way...
Historical sites
Old fort
The Old fort was for little boys and women who were slaves. There was a division when slaves were coming. Men apart and women and little boys in another side
The slave market
This is where men were sold and traded to slave masters. There is now an Anglican Cathedral built on the orders of the famous Bishop Steere, champion of the anti-slavery movement. A striking detail in the construction of this church is the altar taking the place of the whipping post at its centre. Moreover, The wooden crucifix is made from the tree under which David Livingstone, the abolitionists' champion, died in Zambia.
Kilelesquare aka Noise Square
This was the place where they use to separate slaves. This place is called the noise square because slaves were crying, knowing they will never see each other again
Tippu Tip's house..
His house is protected by the UNESCO and considered a World Heritage house. His front door is the typical description of a slave master door ( pay attention to the chains if you can see them)
Tippu Tip was one of the greatest slave masters of his time. He first started in Congo and moved to Zanzibar. He was feared, respected and also hated. IMAGINE HOW SHOCKEEEED I was when I learned that he was B.L.A.C.K (tho Arab, but bruuuuuh) 😑
What is most astonishing is that not too far from his house is his grave which became a dump where people throw all sort of things. I told you he was hated..
Zanzibari & Religions
The majority of Zanzibari are Muslim. This explains why Stone Town has multiple mosques, but only two churches: one Catholic and one Anglican. Intriguing enough, they are both built behind mosques.. Though everyone knows it, no one knows why they have been built this way.