Zanzibaris

Zanzibaris are the inhabitants of Zanzibar, a semi-autonomous archipelago off the east coast of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean. The archipelago comprises two main islands, Unguja (often referred to simply as Zanzibar) and Pemba, along with several smaller islands. The population is ethnically diverse, with Swahili-speaking communities forming the core, and minorities connected to Arab, Indian, and other heritages through centuries of trade and migration.

Most Zanzibaris are Muslim, and Islam shapes many social and cultural practices, though the islands have Christian and other religious communities as well. Swahili (Kiswahili) is the common language alongside English in formal and educational settings. The culture blends African, Arab, Persian, and South Asian influences, expressed in music, art, cuisine, and architecture.

Historically, Zanzibar was part of the Swahili Coast trading states and later came under Omani Arab rule. It developed a prosperous spice and slave trade before a revolution in 1964 led to the island’s union with Tanganyika to form Tanzania. Since then, Zanzibar has remained a semi-autonomous region with its own government institutions, including a president and a House of Representatives, while sharing national sovereignty with Tanzania.

The economy traditionally centers on spices, especially cloves, as well as fishing and, increasingly, tourism. Stone Town, the old part of Zanzibar City, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site noted for its labyrinthine streets, historic architecture, and cultural heritage. Zanzibaris maintain a distinct cultural identity within the broader Tanzanian state, reflecting centuries of intercultural exchange and maritime trade.