Stone Town of Zanzibar
Stone Town – a place to get lost in – lost in all senses of directions but not at least in the fantasies of its intriguing past. A past filled with contradictions; the darkest horror of trading with human beings – the slave trade, the scrambling for the interior Africa by explorers and exploiters, the sultans and their harems, the wealth in gold, ivory and clove fortunes, the power of a strategic location and its diplomacy. The rich Swahili culture is all embraced in the name Zanzibar.
Zanzibar Stone Town, or the ‘Old Town’ as the name reads in Swahili, has a rich and delicate history which can be told in many versions. The mix of imprints from its ancient visitors until today has gained the place its exclusive reputation. Its unique cultural heritage has rewarded it a position among the World Heritage sites and thus in need for careful preservation and conservation.
Stone Town is as old as the first told stories of its Island. The first Arab sea traders are said to have mentioned the ‘Coast of the black people’ – the land of Zenj – from which the name Zanzibar is believed to have come from. The Islands strategic and accessible location along the East African coast, turned it into cosmopolitan centre where Arab, Indians, Europeans and African traditions and cultures all got merged together.
The first settlement and the oldest today known in Stone Town is the Portuguese fort, which foundation was laid down in the early 18th century, but probably not finalised until late 1780, by the Omani rulers, thus more correctly being a Omani fort. The most significant part of the Stone Town is made up of the dominant Arab houses. These buildings, often square and with a spacious inner courtyard allowing light and air to circulate in the house, were built closely together not considering the need of any fencing and/or garden around them. The Arab families were used to stay close to each other and many of the buildings were connected via walkways, like bridges, still seen on the first floors This arrangement made it possible for the female members of the family to go and visit relatives and friends without having to enter the streets. By just leaving room for narrow streets in between the often tall houses helped to make sure there would be a shadow for those walking in the streets. Still the wind from the sea was allowed to blow though and give some comfort during hot days.
In the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century the town was clearly divided. There were the Arab neighbourhoods, the Indian and then the Europeans. Hardly any Africans were living in Stone Town during that time, they only came to town for work or business, but lived in the nearby area called ‘Ngambo’. Before the Creek Road was filled out there was a small ferry taking passengers from the town area to the Ngambo side.
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