Stone Town, Zanzibar

October 2, 2011 we had a guided tour of Stone Town with 'Solomon' are local guide. He was very well educated and well informed. The tour took us to the 'birth place' of the slave trade in East Africa. The slave traders were largely Arabs who would capitalize on any tribal disputes by aiding the kidnap and capture of the chief's enemies. Stone Town was the auction centre for slaves and it was here that all the slaves departed for new territories. This part of the Africa supplied slaves to the far east, Mozambique and India.

Dr. Livingstone's house and is a landmark and he is revered for his role in galvanizing public opinion in England against the horrors of the slave trade. I have been reading his last journals. His description of the land and people is still evident here in Zanzibar where it almost seems like time stands still.

Stone Town was built with limestone and coral stone that was covered with a clay finish. The buildings are very close together with narrow passages that are filled with bicycles, motor bikes, children playing ball and lot's of vendors selling their local crafts. The market is filled with two main staples: fish and spices. Here the spice trade has declined since its heyday, but they still have a number of spice farms growing cloves which you see lying at the side of the road drying.

The majority of women wear colourful head scarves but do not cover their face. This is a traditional Muslim part of east Africa. The political turmoil appears to be over, but they cling to the cultural routes and you can hear the call to prayers everywhere on the island.

Villages are largely without electricity due to the cost and they cook, even in the hotels, with charcoal and wood in clay pots The wood or harvest may be seen in the back of a cart pulled by a donkey or a cow. There seems to be little money for public services so sewage and sanitation are primitive and disorganized. The town dump may be a spot at the side of the road.

The market was bustling with the fish trade where large local caught tuna, red snapper, and swordfish are offered. This was getting a bit 'dicey' by the time we arrived. There is very little if any refrigeration so it would be important to arrive early to purchase your fish for the day.

We visited 'Africa House' which was really a club for English visitors and explorers to east Africa. They would come at the beginning or end of their journey to Zanzibar. The club looks out over the port. It is currently a bar/restaurant where you can relax and soak in the sun and sea breeze.