The island of zanzibar now part of tanzania became a possession of the south arabian state of muscat and oman in the late 17th century. A story virtually unknown in the west, about two of the middle easts most. This study examines a view from outside of the three terminals. The curious history of zanzibar and the swahili coast youtube. List of books and articles about tanzanian history online. Mar 26, 2019 the island of zanzibar and the swahili coast have quite the curious history of revolutions, wars, trade and migration from all over the world that make this stretch of land one of the most. In 1861 zanzibar was separated from muscat and oman and became an independent sultanate, which controlled the vast. If you look closely, some of his garments and medals looks the same. Born salamah bint said, princess of zanzibar, in 1844, emily reute grew up in a harem with scores of siblings.
The islands were likely to have been visited at an even earlier date by traders and sailors from arabia. In 1964, a separatist revolt began in dhofar province. Apr 10, 2018 beautiful history of oman for all citizens of oman. Zanzibar s trade was run by omanis, who organized caravans into the interior of e africa.
Born in 1941 in zanzibar from omani ancestors who once ruled the somali city of merca, ibrahim noor sharif albakry wrote a book in swahili on oman zanzibar history. A history of modern oman is an impressive portrait of a society that has taken a different road from its arab neighbors. The omani sultanate in zanzibar and east africa historical, political, economic and religious aspects by arye oded rima historical papers, volume 5 2017, number 2 april 2017 historical background it is worth touching upon several historical events, however briefly, as a background to the omani arab involvement in zanzibar and east. He ruled zanzibar from december 1911 to october i had the pleasure of meeting him in. This is a profound examination of the transition within two generations of a country from its tribal roots to a modern and tolerant society based on consensus and acceptance rather than dictation. Oman and zanzibar african history, african royalty, zanzibar. If you want to see oman in a different light, we must go back 400 years to the beautiful shores of the arabian sea and revisit the nations long tradition of seafaring. In 1866 she fled to aden where she was baptized with the christian name emily and where she married the german merchant rudolph heinrich ruete. Under the sultan barghash reigned 187088, however, great britain and germany divided most of zanzibars territory on the african mainland between them and secured economic control over the remaining coastal strip. Oman used this toehold in east africa as a slave market, supplying african forced labor to the indian ocean world. For a complete list of our book collection relating to oman and zanzibar see the references section in the top bar of the website. The earliest visitors to zanzibar were arab traders who are said to have arrived in the 8th century. The earliest building that remains on zanzibar is the mosque at kizimkazi which dates from 1107, and is a presentday tourist attraction. For a description of the island of zanzibar, and its history until 1964, see zanzibar.
Oman and zanzibar sultan of zanzibar omani empire sayyid khalifa ii bin harub alsaid was the ninth sultan of zanzibar. Zanzibar, a valuable property as the main slave market of the east african coast, becomes an increasingly important part of the omani empire a fact reflected by the decision of the greatest 19thcentury sultan of oman, said ibn sultan, to make it from 1837 his main place of residence. On april 6, 1861, zanzibar and oman were divided into two separate principalities. The app cover whole oman history from magan to 2011 protests. In 1698, zanzibar became part of the overseas holdings of oman after saif bin sultan, the imam of oman, defeated the portuguese in mombasa, in what is now kenya. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. The sultans spymaster displays 16 pages of rare photographs from zanzibar as well as numerous old line drawings in the text of the book itself. Only once in its history has zanzibar had a leader rule for more than 25 years.
Zanzibar was once a separate state with a long trading history within the arab world. Pearce 1920 p 229 discussion on types of omani swords. Zanzibar served as the key trading post for arab slavery and was so successful that sultan seyyid said actually moved his capital from muscat in oman to stone town, zanzibar in 1840. These structures are actually constructed with coral and mortar, not stone. She was the youngest of the 36 children of sayyid said bin sultan albusaid, sultan of zanzibar and oman.
All titles relate to zanzibar, tanzania, east africa, or africa as a whole. Oman has a bicameral legislature, the council of oman, which serves an advisory role to the sultan. Memoirs of an arabian princess from zanzibar waterfall. Oman s commercial activity was centered on zanzibar and, to a lesser extent, at mombasa, from which it controlled the overseas trade of e africa. She wrote memoirs of an arabian princess from zanzibar in german in 1886. She was a daughter of sayyid said bin sultan albusaid, sultan of zanzibar and oman. Later hamoud complied with british demands that slavery be banned in zanzibar and that all the slaves be freed. A history of zanzibar a study in constitutional development, 19341964 by ayany, samuel g and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The foreign aspect is also stressed in descriptions of transoceanic transport which oman was largely dependant on, and the incredible might of its navel power for a country of its size, which has played such an important role in its history. Said builds impressive palaces and gardens in zanzibar. She eloped in 1866 from zanzibar to mary a german named heinrich ruete.
Emily ruete, also known as princess salme of zanzibar and oman genre. The coast of east africa, including zanzibar, became islamized before omani. The sultans shadow goodreads meet your next favorite book. Other islands include pemba and mafia as well as several smaller islands. By 1840, said bin sultan, the sultan of oman had moved the capital of his country from muscat to the stone town of zanzibar, and encouraged more omanis to relocate and settle there. Fitzgerald, travels in the coastlands of british east africa london, 1898 r. Memoirs of an arabian princess from zanzibar author. Sultanate of zanzibar historical empire, africa britannica.
List of books and articles about tanzanian history. Zanzibar, things to do and see outside oman stonetown, zanzibar, today. One of the countries i wish were still a part of oman, is zanzibar. It is storytelling based on a limited number of sources, some of which are suspect. Seyyid khalifa bin haroub bin thuweini bin said bin sultan. When you walk the streets of muscat or read about the history of oman, the rich relationship between the sultanate of oman and zanzibar is often reduced to a historical footnote. Oman virtual museum documents a private collection of. Zanzibar sultan sayyid hamad bin thuwaini african history. Peera dewjee acted behind the scenes during momentous events in the history of zanzibar and eastafrica the closing of the slave markets and imperial expansion by germany and great britain. The islands gained independence from britain in december 1963 as a constitutional monarchy. She was the daughter of said bin sultan, sultan of oman and zanzibar. Princess salme, daughter of said ibn sultan, ruler of oman and zanzibar, was born in zanzibar on august 30, 1844.
The original edition of this important reference book. The sultanate of zanzibar also known as the zanzibar sultanate, comprised the territories over. Two booklets were published to commemorat his 25th year and they give us a glimpse of those times. Stone town, on the western shore of unguja island, is the capital of this region. Oman virtual museum documenting a proivate collection of. The portuguese were expelled and a lucrative trade in slaves and ivory thrived, along with an expanding plantation economy centring on cloves. This meant that stone town, for a time, served as the capital of oman. Aided by communist and leftist governments such as the former south yemen peoples democratic republic of yemen, the rebels formed the dhofar liberation front, which later merged with the marxist. Although these connecting flights sacrifice some convenience, on average, travelers save 20%60% when they choose to fly multistop versus a direct flight the average price for connecting flights from zanzibar to muscat is tzs1,480,442 the average price for direct flights from zanzibar. This books section contains some of the most important books and maps in our collection relating to oman and zanzibar, including several illustrations.
This is a history of an island called zanzibar which was ruled by several kings of oman. She is the author of memoirs of an arabian princess from zanzibar. The upper house, the majlis addawlah, has 71 members from prominent omani families, who are appointed by the sultan. The omani sultan of zanzibar controlled a substantial portion of the african great lakes coast, known as zanj, as well. In the webpage page below are listed internet links to sites, relating to the history of oman and zanzibar. The arabs established garrisons at zanzibar, pemba, and kilwa. Unguja offered a protected and defensible harbor, so although the archipelago had few products of value, omanis and yemenis settled in what became zanzibar. Taimur bin feisal, sultan of oman 191932, and grandfather of sultan qaboos see more.
We do not take responsibility for the contents of all these links, even more so. While establishing an arabic elite based on the trade of cloves, and slavery of the african population, the sultan also oversaw an influx of traders from the. Winner of the society for arabian studies grant in 2003. Makran, muscat and zanzibar which is a partial one in the history of the western indian ocean. Jan 16, 2018 sayyid hamad bin thuwaini albusaid history of the oman and zanzibar sultanate stay safe and healthy. For centuries the arabs sailed with the monsoon winds from oman to trade primarily in ivory, slaves and. Theatrical show adapted from emily ruetes, memoirs of an arabian princess from zanzibar. Accounts by visitors to zanzibar often emphasize the outward beauty of the place.
As early as 2,300 bc oman was recorded by the sumerians of ancient iraq as being a rich source of copper. The foreign aspect is also stressed in descriptions. His place in history of arabia and east africa by rudolph saidruete, london alexander ousely. After the death of sayyid said, oman and zanzibar were divided into. He also occupied parts of coastal northern mozambique. Under the sultan barghash reigned 187088, however, great britain and germany divided most of zanzibar s territory on the african mainland between them and secured economic control over the remaining coastal strip.
The town of sur in oman has always been a place of trade and enterprise and its buggalows visit india, zanzibar and the persian gulf. Zanzibar the island metropolis of eastern africa by f. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. Oman was a hub for trade and commerce before the first century ad, and it is this history as a bastion of trade by land, but especially by sea, that has shaped the culture of the sultanate, and. In 1698, the imam of oman invaded zanzibar and drove the portuguese away from the island. Preislamic archaeology of kuwait, northeastern arabia, bahrain, qatar, united arab emirates and oman. Emily ruete 18441924 was born in zanzibar as sayyida salme, princess of zanzibar and oman. Genealogical tables compiled 190708 of the principal descendants of ahmadbinsaid, al bu said, founder of the ruling families of oman. The history of zanzibar is intrinsically linked to oman, which ended the portuguese dominance of the indian ocean trade routes once and for all after capturing their base, fort jesus, in mombasa. Makran, muscat and zanzibar which is a partial one in the history of the western. Later, zanzibar fell under the control of the sultanate of oman, which colonized the country. We also added several of the youtube films used in our website. He established a ruling arab elite and encouraged the development of. The people are all bold sailors since many generations.
Said bin sultan 17911856 ruler of oman and zanzibar. In 1861 zanzibar was separated from oman and became an independent sultanate, which controlled the vast african domains acquired by sa. Apr 21, 2017 the omani sultanate in zanzibar and east africa historical, political, economic and religious aspects by arye oded rima historical papers, volume 5 2017, number 2 april 2017 historical background it is worth touching upon several historical events, however briefly, as a background to the omani arab involvement in zanzibar and east africa. However, as long as you read with a skeptical outlook, this is a fun work that reveals much of oman, zanzibar, east africa exploration by europeans, and much on the perspectives of princess salme. Emily ruete 30 august 1844 29 february 1924 was born in zanzibar as salama bint said, also called sayyida salme, a princess of zanzibar and oman.
The region was impacted by powerful invaders, including other arab tribes, portugal and britain. Such themes are, however, essential when viewed against the background of anglofrench rivalry in the gulf and indian ocean during the first half. The ideal introduction to the history of modern oman from the eighteenth century to the present, this book combines the most recent scholarship on omani history with insights drawn from a close analysis of the politics and international relations of contemporary oman. In 1698, zanzibar became part of the overseas holdings of oman, falling under the control of the sultan of oman. A history of modern oman by jeremy jones no photo synopsis. Zanzibar had a flourishing economy from the growth of clove plantations, as well as in the ivory and slave trade. The capital of zanzibar, located on the island of unguja, is zanzibar city, and its historic centre, known as stone town, is a world heritage site. During that time, slavery was abolished and the 38minute anglo zanzibar war broke out, putting the country in the history books for the shortest war on record. History the archipelagos history stretches back at least to the start of the first millennium, when bantuspeaking peoples from the mainland first travelled across the zanzibar and pemba channels.
Genealogical tables compiled 190708 of the principal descendants of ahmadbinsaid, al bu said, founder of the ruling families of oman and zanzibar. This mix of flavours reflects the history of zanzibar and speaks to the. Zanzibar paid an annual subsidy to muscat and oman until its independence in early 1964. In 1698, zanzibar became part of the overseas holdings of oman after saif bin sultan, the.
Sayyid majid bin said albusaid 183451870, his sixth son, became the sultan of zanzibar, while the third son, sayyid thuwaini bin said alsaid, became the sultan of oman. Jun 21, 2014 history of the oman and zanzibar sultanate h sayyid faisal bin turki bin said al said of oman 1888 may he rest in peace. Oman is an absolute monarchy ruled by sultan qaboos bin said al said. Threeterminal cultural corridor in the western indian ocean, 17991856 beatrice nicolini brill, jan 1, 2004 history 179 pages. According to the history books, after sultan saids death in 1856, two of his sons, majid bin said and thuwaini bin said, struggled over succession. The princess would venture beyond the palace, into the.
It is impossible to discuss the long history of oman and zanzibar at length in this website. Mainland tanzania is bordered on the south by mozambique, malawi, and zambia. Did you know the capital of oman was once in zanzibars stone. If one book could possibly cover all the different groups and kinds of trade were going on in africa, the middle east, and asia over the last 2,000 years, this book comes as close as possible to being it. The city gained its name from the many large multistory stone buildings that fill the old town area. History properly starts when the islands became a base for traders voyaging between the african great lakes, the somali peninsula, the arabian peninsula, iran, and the indian subcontinent. Zanzibar continues to be a melting pot thanks to all the various groups that once held sway there. The author 18441924 was born princess salme of zanzibar and oman and was a daughter of sayyid said. The main islands of zanzibar are unguja, pemba, tumbatu and mafia. This work is not really history, a historical novel, or a novel. The royal family maintained its fabulous wealth and luxury with a robust traffic in ivory, spices and human bondage. According to the guinness book of world records the resultant anglo zanzibar war was the shortest war in history, and the same day hamoud was able to assume the title of sultan, more indebted to the british than ever. On saids death in 1856 his african and omani holdings were separated, with his son majid becoming sultan of zanzibar. The empire of oman in the formation of omans national history.
Zanzibar occurred in 1840 when omani ruler sayyid said bin sultan albusaid moved his capital from muscat, oman, to stone town, zanzibar. Christiane birds account of the al busaidi sultans in oman and zanzibar. Zanzibar, an archipelago off of modernday tanzania, has a history dating back at least to. Flights between some cities may be significantly cheaper if you choose a multistop airline ticket. It was the first known autobiography of an arabian woman. Oman is the site of prehistoric human habitation, stretching back over 100,000 years.
In 1832 or 1840, omani ruler said bin sultan moved his court from muscat to stone town on the island of unguja that is, zanzibar island. See more ideas about east africa, stone town and africa. The following is a list of books that are referenced in this website and that are part of our oman zanzibar collection. Oscar wilde commented in 1888 on her memoirs the story of. Princess salme, daughter of said ibn sultan, ruler of oman and zanzibar. History of zanzibar archipelago lonely planet travel. The book stresses the origins of oman and the seemingly unstable rule of law which maintained stability through the strength of the sultans of the al bu said dynasty and their excellent statecraft and fair dealings in foreign and domestic affairs. Oman once possessed the island of zanzibar, on the east coast of africa as a colony. Bird is a literary travel writer whose previous books have explored kurdistan and iran, and.
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