The People of ZanzibarZanzibaris are hospitable and friendly! With origins dating back to the first century AD, they are an interesting and diverse mix of people, the biggest majority is of Bantu descent and there are Arab influences everywhere. The Tanzanian Government in the early 1960’s introduced a policy of relocating and separating tribes, today Zanzibaris are less tribal than African countries because of this action.
The local people’s island of origin now determines which tribe they belong to. Those from Unguja are the Waunguja, the Wapemba come from Pemba and the Watumbatu come from Tumbato Island. July is festival month in Zanzibar – a great opportunity to see the local people and their culture.
Zanzibar’s most famous resident was the inimitable Freddie Mercury – lead singer of the super rock band Queen. Freddie, born Farouk Bulsara in 1946, had an interesting lineage descendent from the Parsee of India (Zoroastrian religion), originally from Iran. The Bulsara family moved to Zanzibar before Freddie was born, staying on until 1964, during this period Freddie was sent to boarding school in India at the age of 7. Freddie’s roots can be heard when he uses the word “Bismillah!” in the lyrics of Bohemian Rhapsody. |
