There Goes Dave
Travel

10 Interesting Facts You Might Not Know About Zanzibar

Zanzibar is a well-known vacation spot, and is mostly known for its gorgeous beaches and beach resorts. However, there is so much more to experience and discover about this top destination. Read below about all that this unique place has to offer and book your next package holiday to Zanzibar.

1. Zanzibar is actually made up of two islands

Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous archipelago off the coast of Tanzania and is comprised of two main islands and a few smaller ones. The larger island is Unguja, and a smaller one north of Unguja is known as Pemba Island. When one refers to Zanzibar, it is usually in reference to Unguja. The island is about 90 km long and 40 km wide.

2. Origin of the name Zanzibar

The name Zanzibar is derived from the Arabic language, which in turned was derived from a Persian word, and means “the coast of Black people”. Zanzibar’s location made it an ideal entrepot for Arabs, and was a big part of the slave route before slavery was abolished in the 19th century.

3. There is a heavy Arab influence

While Zanzibar was subject to many visitors and influencers such as the Persians, British, and Indians, the Arabs had the deepest impact. The local language, Swahili (known locally as Kiswahili), was born in Zanzibar and is a blend of mostly Arabic and tribal languages such as Bantu. The Arab influence is also heavily reflected in its bazaars as well as the historic sites and architecture of the island, which can clearly be seen in Stone Town. Islam also plays an important role in the culture and tradition of Zanzibar, as the majority of the population is Muslim.

4. Zanzibar is very diverse

Despite a heavy Arab influence, Zanzibar is very diverse and is a melting pot of cultures and traditions, making it a unique and interesting travel destination. This is heavily reflected in its cuisine, as you can find anything from chapati and Biryani, to mishkaki (Middle-Eastern style meat skewers), bokoboko, and Forodhani (Zanzibar pizza). Moreover, the Taarab, which is the local music style of Zanzibar, is a fusion of Swahili poetry, with musical beats from the Middle East, Africa, India, and the West.

5. The carvings on doors represent different things

Stone Town (which was named so because of the use of coral stone as construction material), is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Zanzibar, and is known for its narrow alleys, bazaars, architecture and intricate door carvings. The carvings on the wooden doors are all subtly different, and all have a particular meaning and reason for their details. For instance, some reflect social status and positions, while others reflect ethnicity, and others contain Islamic words or verses from the Quran.

6. Zanzibar is known as Spice Island

Zanzibar is commonly referred to as Spice Island, as many exotic spices can be found there, such as clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and black pepper. Take a tour of spice plantations and learn about the history and cultivation of these crops, along with their culinary and medicinal purposes.

7.  The Anglo-Zanzibar war was the shortest in history

The shortest war ever recorded in history lasted about 40 minutes, and occurred between the Sultans of Zanzibar and the United Kingdom, on August 27th, 1896. Upon the Sultan’s sudden death, his cousin Khalid bin Barghash replaced him immediately without British approval, which caused a stir among the British diplomats in the area. Khalid refused to stand down despite warnings from the British, who then opened fire as Khalid escaped through a back exit, abandoning his army and servants to fight alone. The Sultan’s flag was quickly pulled down after that, ending the war.

8. The red colobus monkey is unique to Zanzibar

Zanzibar is home to the endemic red colobus monkey, which can be found in the Jozani Forest Reserve. An endangered species, the red colobus monkey is a popular attraction as it is one of the rarest primates on the continent, and was very close to extinction. Other interesting native species include certain types of butterflies, which the Butterfly Centre, focused on conserving the local forest, teach locals to farm in a sustainable manner.

9. The lead singer of Queen is Zanzibari

Freddie Mercury, lead singer of Queen, the British rock band from the 1970s, was born in Zanzibar and his real name was Farouk (or Farrokh) Bulsara.

10. Zanzibar hosts two major international festivals

Zanzibar annually hosts the Zanzibar International Film Festival (also known as the Festival of the Dhow Countries) in July, one of the largest cultural events in Africa. The event is dedicated to local and international films, art, and music in order to promote social and economic growth. Another major event is the Sauti za Busara music festival in February, which welcomes a rich and diverse variety of African music from the continent.

About the Author:

Mark works at Destiny Holidays and has travelled extensively throughout Africa, having written much about his experiences along the way. He is passionate about changing the misconceptions about the continent and it’s people, bringing awareness to conservation and eco-travel.

by
Keep Reading
Work Life

SIM-Only Mobile Deals: The Wave of the Future?

It appears as if mobile phone providers are churning out contracts on a daily basis. From all-inclusive packages which can offer unlimited Internet access to bundles associated with 4G data transmission speeds, the customer has more options to choose from than ever before. However, many are looking to free themselves from the financial bonds often associated with contractual deals. This is why some believe that SIM-only plans are the next big thing to hit the smartphone market. Let’s take a look at why these deals are attractive as well as some of the benefits that they have in store.

The Issue of “Seemingly” Unlimited Data

In the past, the majority of carriers would offer plans that provided unlimited access to streaming data. However, these plans were generally limited by the capabilities of the phones themselves. Packages providing 20 or 50 gigabytes per month would have been sufficient for most needs. Therefore, the consumer could rest assured that he or she would rarely (if ever) exceed these volumes. This has all changed due to modern technology.

High-speed connections and a burgeoning number of data-hungry apps means that contractual limitations will quickly be exceeded. This is the first main advantage of SIM-only deals. Consumers can choose from a number of different schemes; each of these based around predicted data usage during a given time period. Some deals even offer as much as 25 gigabytes for a single fee. Furthermore, there is no long-term commitment.

Factoring in the Cost of the Phone

There is no doubt that the major providers offer a host of interesting and flexible deals. On the surface, these can appear to be great ways to save a tidy sum of money each month. Unfortunately, there is a drawback to these options. The user will normally have to factor in the cost of the phone. This can be particularly substantial when referring to popular models such as the Samsung Galaxy or the new generation of the iPhone. In other words, the price of the phone will be added into monthly tariffs. SIM-only plans will not be subject to this added fee. Therefore, the consumer always knows exactly what he or she is paying for. There are no surprises and minutes can be topped up whenever required.

The Notion of Commitment

The mobile phone industry is highly competitive and each company hopes to retain their customers for as long as possible. Thus, many plans are often associated with contracts of up to two years. This presents an issue for those who want to switch deals down the line. They are normally subject to very high cancellation fees. SIM-only deals provide a sense of freedom that would not otherwise be possible. If the user suddenly spots an attractive phone model, there is no need to break any type of contract. The SIM card will simply be transferred to this new unit.

Network Amenities

It should finally be noted that most SIM-only deals come with a variety of network perks included. Data speeds of up to 4G, mobile tethering and public access are a few common examples of what customers can expect to enjoy. So, the myth of the “bare-bones” SIM package is no longer relevant.

SIM-only mobile phone plans are here to stay. As consumers become more aware of their benefits, we will likely see a shift towards these options in the coming years. Although standard contracts will not disappear, the providers themselves will have to offer even more options in order to keep ahead of this economically savvy revolution.

by
Keep Reading