Stone Town Zanzibar

The cultural heart of Zanzibar, Stone Town, was built by Arab and Indian merchants in the 19th century. Everywhere else on the island, houses are built using the traditional wattle and mud daub. Yet in Stone Town, the buildings are made from small blocks of coral limestone bound with a mixture of lime and laterite, a technique that enables the construction of multi-storey structures. Most have three floors, and are decorated with elaborately carved wooden doors and balconies, inspired by the carvings of Bombay. Read more

The Spice Tour - Zanzibar Tanzania

As the ferry glides into Zanzibar, an island off the Tanzania coast, one cannot help but imagine what the cargo of the ferry might have been were it the 1800’s. Probably tusks of ivory, some salt, cloves and African slaves being herded by their Arab owners.

Zanzibar Island is an enthralling melting pot of Arabic, Indian and African cultures as a result of being colonized by many powers ranging form the Chinese, Persians, Arabs to the British. This legacy of having different occupying powers has led to a diverse cultural mix reflected in Zanzibar’s architecture, culture, religion and cuisine. The Island has emerged from a turbulent past in its role as a trading centre for spices, slaves and ivory Read more