ZANZIBAR WOMEN

             Intelligence and Strength, Beauty and Style,  these are some of the attributes assigned historically to the women of Zanzibar.

Of their strengths and intelligence it is best for them to speak for themselves. Zanzibar women have always found ways to make their voices heard and as they become more computer-literate we will hear more from them on the internet as well. In their own voices they will speak for themselves, to all the world.

Of their beauty and sense of style however, I feel I can give a few examples and speak for myself. One cannot visit Zanzibar without noticing the incredible women who inhabit these islands.

The Images below show Zanzibari women of the past. Through differing times, modes of dress and roles in the community, they all show that fire of life, that style and attitude that for me typifies the women of Zanzibar.

 Even one hundred years ago Zanzibari women had no problem appropriating the styles of others, and often would enhance their own status by showing how well they could carry themselves in any fashion.

 Zanzibari women learned the importance of appearance from an early age.

The Swahili are an urban people, Zanzibar women observe and are inspired by fashions from all over the world.

Who is a Zanzibari?

This is a question with many answers. The multitude of origins of the populous of Zanzibar defies counting.

The women of Zanzibar were just as diverse.

Creativity, status and attitude are all on display with the ever changing fashions of Zanzibar today, just as they were at the turn of the 1900's.

The hardest working people in old Zanzibar were the women, and even while working they display their individuality and style.

 The biggest stars of Taarab music have always been women.

All Taarab musicians who came after her shine in her light.

A remarkable women, self-made and able to reinvent herself in a time before those terms had any meaning for African women.

She also wrote poetry of great grace and wit.

Siti was followed by the longest lived Taarab Star.

      Bi Kidude.

                 Over 90 years of Zanzibar music and history lived in this Doyen of Taarab .

She lived to be 100 years old and was still performing in her final years, She died in 2013.

Some western men have found Zanzibari women irresistible.

There are at least two tales of a Princess of Zanzibar eloping with a European visitor.

There is a wonderful small museum in StoneTown, dedicated to Princess Salme.

That Museum is well worth a visit. 

Lady Henderson?  Wife of Scottish lord Sir John Henderson of Fordel.

Said to have eloped from Zanzibar in about 1625, accompanied by her maid. This portrait hangs in a castle in Scotland.

 Through war and peace Zanzibari women have held important positions in society.

Modern Zanzibar women hold important jobs and raise and care for extended families.

Like their ancestors, Zanzibari women today still occasionally gather together and dance.

Together they seem to find and share the wisdom needed to deal with the world they have inherited.

Compiled and edited by Torrence Royer, dedicated to my wife.

All Rights reserved, 2024

Comments to Barghash@msn.com