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, People’s Palace, Dr Livingstone’s House and the Arab Fort among others.

The archipelago and its people have their own unique history and culture, influenced by the traders and invaders over the centuries; from the Portuguese, Omani Arabs to English. The result of this fusion of different ethnic groups has resulted in interesting cultural events such as Sauti za Busara, Zanzibar International Film Festival and Mwaka Kogwa – the celebration of the Persian New Year.

Sauti za Busara, Swahili for sounds of wisdom, is  East Africa’s premier music and cultural festival showcasing the best Swahili speaking world has to offer. The event that is held every February in Stone Town’s Old Fort sees the historical town becoming a beehive of activity. Sauti za Busara hosts bongo flava (a popular music genre in East Africa) stars, ngoma dancers, taarab orchestras and drumming troupes.

The festival is very popular with the local population and is one of the annual highlights in Zanzibar’s new approach to market itself as a leading global cultural tourism destination. As well as bringing international visitors to the islands, the event provides artists from the Swahili-speaking world with a rare opportunity to meet, exchange ideas, learn from each other and create. The six edition of Sauti za Busara was held on 12-17 February 2009 and the event drew artists from many parts of the world including West Africa, Europe and Australia.

Every July, Zanzibar hosts one of East Africa’s largest cultural events going by the name Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF). ZIFF presents an exciting and varied programme of international film and videos, music, dance, drama and art exhibitions. In 2007, ZIFF celebrated its 10th anniversary.

The festival has continued to attract larger and larger crowds each year and gaining international prominence. ZIFF is especially giving a unique opportunity to preserve and promote understanding of culture from across the Dhow countries of Tanzania, India and Oman.

The last week of July sees the village of Makunduchi celebrate Mwaka Kogwa, the Persian New Year. The festival is a riot of colour, filled with rituals and fun. During this festival, men are given the chance to mock fight each other with banana stems to clear any past dispute for the new year.

Women on the other hand dress in their best clothes and sing songs about family, love and life. The highlight of the festival is the traditional burning of  a hut - said to signify the passing of the old year and the start of the new.

This ritual is thought to ensure the safety of the village in case of fire during the year and to purge evil from the people and the land. After the fire and fighting there is song, dance, drumming and feasting. Hospitality is extended to all people as the locals believe that any villager without a guest will be the recipient of bad luck and the party goes on till dawn.

In recent times Zanzibar has gained international recognition as a cultural centre, showing how the islands have succeeded in celebrating their heritage while moving towards the future. Those wishing to undertake a Zanzibar classic safari can do so by air, road 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.

Image - Forbes Traveler

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