ZANZIBAR HALF DAY TRIPS

HISTORY OF ZANZIBAR ISLANDS

Zanzibar was probably first inhabited roughly 2000 years ago, by the Bantu peoples who crossed over to the islands from the mainland [Tanzania]. The islands have a colourful history as it was a strategic trading location and visited over the centuries by the Persians, Arabs, Indians and the Europeans, specifically the Portuguese and the British. The first of these merchants, the Persians, are thought to have visited the islands around the 10th century. Between the 12 to 16th centuries, Zanzibar became a city state and it’s rising importance led to a Portuguese presence by the 16th century. After a short duration of Portuguese control, the British assumed control followed by the Omani arabs, who maintained their authority over the islands well into the 19th century. Apart from being a trading hub,the islands were also a major slave trade market, with the trade finally being stopped around the year 1873. Omani rule gradually came to an end and in 1964 the islands became a part of the United Repoublic of Tanganyika [Tanzania].