Portrait of a Community, continued:

12) Looking out over the Michenzani Flats – Contrast exists everywhere in Zanzibar. Standing on the roof of his post-revolution fascist style apartment on the outskirts of Stone Town, Omi talks about the struggles of growing up a young man in Zanzibar. Under his colorful hat, he conceals his dreadlocks in fear of the police seeing them. Although he is a devout Muslim, he chooses to grow his hair out “Bob Marley” style. “One of my friends was thrown to the ground and beaten because of his hair,” he then goes on, “The police will take a blade and cut them off in public if they see you have dreadlocks.”

Question for 12:
What kind of rules do you have in your community about the way you dress?

13) Cholo age 16

14) : Abdul age 18

Question for 13 and 14 :
What do you think these teenage boys are saying
about themselves with their choice of body language and clothing?

15) Saleh – “No tourists, nothing to do” is a common phrase heard throughout Zanzibar during the rainy season of March, April and May. As the economy of the island becomes more dependent on the tourism and less self-sustaining it leads to possible high risks if there were to be another political crisis. This year was the last of despair and waiting for Saleh, after countless visa lotteries his prayers were answered and he now supports his family by driving a cab in New York City.

Question for 15 :
When you meet someone who has immigrated from another country
do you ever think about where they came from?
Have you ever considered why they made the decision
to leave their friends, family and country behind?

16) The big tree near Bububu beach.

17) Hasan a traditional wood carver

18) Traditional Dhow Sailboat – In the 19th century, Zanzibar was the richest gateway to all of East Africa. Controlled by the Sultan Seyyid Said of Oman, the island’s main exports were cloves, ivory and slaves.

19) Aja – “She is part of our family now” Aja left her friends and home on the mainland when her family got the fortunate offer for their daughter to live and work for a wealthy Zanzabari family as a house girl. Although her days are spent cooking and cleaning, Aja feels this is a golden opportunity compared with the prospect of working in the fields.

Question for 18 and 19:
How does a culture reconcile a history of slavery?

20) Mama Fatma – A local woman from the North shore village of Nungwi goes about her daily routine unaware of the Government’s plans to possibly sell the entire Northern Coast of the Island to investors eager to establish another tourist resort. Such a transaction would include relocating the entire village of Nungwi, to block style apartments. To make way for the tourist trade, this traditional Muslim community that has been established for centuries would pay a very high price.

21) A young Nungwi villager.

Question for 20 and 21 :
Does where you live have an effect on how you feel about yourself?

22) Catholic Wedding – “We consider ourselves cosmopolitan” is how one shop owner describes the predominant attitude towards the mix of race and religion on the island. Although during the 1964 Revolution approximately 12,000 people of Omani origin were slaughtered by the descendants of black African slaves. Of the present population of 750,000, 93% are Muslim. The minority 7% are made up of Hindus, Catholics, and Christians.

23) Hands decorated with henna.

Question for 22 and 23:
How can groups of people with such different
religious and cultural traditions live together in harmony?

24) A passage from the Koran hangs outside the front door to greet visitors and to provide protection for the home.