Although Zanzibar is recognized internationally as a land of romance, the archipelago is also a premier cultural safari destination in East Africa. Cultural safaris to Zanzibar cover important areas around this island including the streets of the old stone town, the house of wonders, peoples palace, Dr Livingstones house and the Arab fort among others.
The unique culture and history of Zanzibar bears varied influence from invaders and traders of the past, including the Omani Arabs, the Portuguese, and the English. Some cultural events in the Island portray this amazing fusion of different ethnic groups. These include the Zanzibar international film festival, the Persian new year celebrations " also known as Mwaka Kogwa " and Sauti za busara festivities.
Sauti za busara festivals, literally meaning sounds of wisdom, are held every February in Zanzibar stone town's old fort. The event is arguably the best music event in Swahili speaking East Africa. During the festivals, Stone Town's old fort comes very much alive. Performers at the event include taarab artists, bongo flava (a very popular East African music genre)stars, drumming troupes, and ngoma dancers.
Apart from just being very popular with the local population, Sauti za Busara is also one of the key highlights of Zanzibar's bid to market itself as a top destination for cultural tourism. Many international visitors attend the event, which also gives the local artists a rare chance to interact with each other and exchange ideas, learn new things, and try out their creativity. During the sixth edition of the event, held from 12th to 17th February 2009, performing artists came from various parts of the world including Europe, Australia, and West Africa.
The Zanzibar international film festival (ZIFF) is the other large cultural event held in Zanzibar. Conducted every July, the festival (the largest cultural activity in East Africa) presents a variety of international films and videos, art exhibitions, music and dance. ZIFF celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2007.
Every year, the crowd that attends ZIFF gets bigger and bigger as its international reputation grows. The festival presents a unique chance to promote cultural understanding of Indian ocean dhow countries of Tanzania, Oman and India.
The other major cultural event, the Persian new year celebrations, takes place in the last week of July in the Makunduchi village. Many rituals and fun mark this colorful event during which men hold mock fights with banana stems. The mock fights symbolize the sorting out of any disputes from the previous years. At that time, women put on their best dresses, and compose love songs, and songs about life and family.
Traditionally, the key event of the festival is when participants burn down a hut to mark the end of the old year, and the beginning of a new one. The people believe that this guarantees the village's safety from fire throughout the year. It also purges evil amongst the land and its people. Much feasting, drumming, dancing and singing till dawn follow this ritual. The locals then extend great hospitality to everyone. It is believed that any resident who does not entertain a guest at that time will attract bad luck upon their household.
Zanzibar has recently gained international recognition as a cultural heritage center due to the above festivals. Those wishing to visit Zanzibar can do so by air, as well as the sea. Gulf Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Air Mauritius and KLM (in conjunction with Kenya Airways) are presently offering international scheduled flights to Zanzibar. Transport can also be arranged from Dar es salaam which is only a short trip by sea or by air from Zanzibar. Dar es Salaam has regular scheduled flights, small charters and fast boats to Zanzibar. - 15784
The unique culture and history of Zanzibar bears varied influence from invaders and traders of the past, including the Omani Arabs, the Portuguese, and the English. Some cultural events in the Island portray this amazing fusion of different ethnic groups. These include the Zanzibar international film festival, the Persian new year celebrations " also known as Mwaka Kogwa " and Sauti za busara festivities.
Sauti za busara festivals, literally meaning sounds of wisdom, are held every February in Zanzibar stone town's old fort. The event is arguably the best music event in Swahili speaking East Africa. During the festivals, Stone Town's old fort comes very much alive. Performers at the event include taarab artists, bongo flava (a very popular East African music genre)stars, drumming troupes, and ngoma dancers.
Apart from just being very popular with the local population, Sauti za Busara is also one of the key highlights of Zanzibar's bid to market itself as a top destination for cultural tourism. Many international visitors attend the event, which also gives the local artists a rare chance to interact with each other and exchange ideas, learn new things, and try out their creativity. During the sixth edition of the event, held from 12th to 17th February 2009, performing artists came from various parts of the world including Europe, Australia, and West Africa.
The Zanzibar international film festival (ZIFF) is the other large cultural event held in Zanzibar. Conducted every July, the festival (the largest cultural activity in East Africa) presents a variety of international films and videos, art exhibitions, music and dance. ZIFF celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2007.
Every year, the crowd that attends ZIFF gets bigger and bigger as its international reputation grows. The festival presents a unique chance to promote cultural understanding of Indian ocean dhow countries of Tanzania, Oman and India.
The other major cultural event, the Persian new year celebrations, takes place in the last week of July in the Makunduchi village. Many rituals and fun mark this colorful event during which men hold mock fights with banana stems. The mock fights symbolize the sorting out of any disputes from the previous years. At that time, women put on their best dresses, and compose love songs, and songs about life and family.
Traditionally, the key event of the festival is when participants burn down a hut to mark the end of the old year, and the beginning of a new one. The people believe that this guarantees the village's safety from fire throughout the year. It also purges evil amongst the land and its people. Much feasting, drumming, dancing and singing till dawn follow this ritual. The locals then extend great hospitality to everyone. It is believed that any resident who does not entertain a guest at that time will attract bad luck upon their household.
Zanzibar has recently gained international recognition as a cultural heritage center due to the above festivals. Those wishing to visit Zanzibar can do so by air, as well as the sea. Gulf Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Air Mauritius and KLM (in conjunction with Kenya Airways) are presently offering international scheduled flights to Zanzibar. Transport can also be arranged from Dar es salaam which is only a short trip by sea or by air from Zanzibar. Dar es Salaam has regular scheduled flights, small charters and fast boats to Zanzibar. - 15784
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