Zanzibar Culture

The charm of Tanzania's social fabric is the prime attraction for cultural and eco-tourism.

As Zanzibar absorbed peoples from as far as The Oriental and Iberia, Assyria and India, so the tapestry of Zanzibar culture became more diverse in its range, more unique in its expression.

Zanzibar is the birthplace of Swahili, a lingua franca forged from different dialects. The strident laments and exultant overtures of Swahili taarab were born, their rhythms and melodies carried and honed between Zanzibar and the island's own musical narrative.

The Arab influence on Zanzibar and Pemba islands is evident in the people, who are a mix of Shirazia (from Persia), Arabs, Comorians (from the Comoros Islands) and Bantu from the mainland, though the latter predominate.

The island of origin of the locals pretty much determines what tribe they belong to. The Waunguja would emanate from Unguja Island, with Wapemba tribe from Pemba Island and Watumbatu from Tumbato Island.

The Hadimu and Tumbatu tribes were the indeginous people of Zanzibar, most Hadimu live in the southern part the Island while the Tumbatu are predominantly found in the North.

Zanzibar is at the heart of the distinctive Taraab, or sung poetry, tradition. The goddess of this haunting style is Siti bint Saad, the first East African singer to make commercial recordings, way back in 1928.

Tarabu, also called taarab or tarab, is the African-Islamic music popular in the coastal towns of Tanzania and Kenya, and the island of Zanzibar. Tarab is popularly known as Swahili wedding music, since tarabu musicians and music are an essential part of these multi-day festivities.