HISTORY

A Living Heritage

Zanzibar’s prolific past created a confluence of creeds and cultures, its people a distillation of the nations of travellers, pilgrims, fishermen, explorers and merchants who stopped here in time’s passage. A culture of tolerance was born from the cohabitation, infused with the religious acceptance, ethnic array, and spirit of ubinadamu ,that indefinable concept “of being human and humane” that that continues as the gift of the Swahili people to their guests. This progressive society, where tribe and nationality were blurred, provided a foundation upon which the peaceful Zanzibari way of life was built.

A society of incomparable hospitality endures, evident in the amicable and spontaneous “jambo” of warm and friendly people. “Karibu mgeni, mwenyeji apone,” welcome the guest so the host is soothed.