history of Zanzibar

The history of Zanzibar began millenia ago. However, the first mention of the islands in official records is from a Persian chronicle in 1107 AD.

An early Arab/Persian trading center, Zanzibar fell under Portuguese domination in the 16th and early 17th centuries but was retaken by Omani Arabs in the early 18th century. The height of Arab rule came during the reign of Sultan Seyyid Said, who encouraged the development of clove plantations, using the island's slave labor.

The Arabs established their own garrisons at Zanzibar, Pemba, and Kilwa and carried on a lucrative trade in slaves and ivory. By 1840, Said had transferred his capital from Muscat to Zanzibar and established a ruling Arab elite. The island's commerce fell increasingly into the hands of traders from the Indian subcontinent, whom Said encouraged to settle on the island.

Zanzibar's spices attracted ships from as far away as the United States. A U.S. consulate was established on the island in 1837. The United Kingdom's early interest in Zanzibar was motivated by both commerce and the determination to end the slave trade. In 1822, the British signed the first of a series of treaties with Sultan Said to curb this trade, but not until 1876 was the sale of slaves finally prohibited.

The Heligoland-Zanzibar Treaty of 1890 made Zanzibar and Pemba a British protectorate, and the Caprivi Strip in Namibia became a German protectorate. British rule through a Sultan remained largely unchanged from the late 19th century until after World War II.

In 1963, Zanzibar was granted formal independence by the United Kingdom and formed a constitutional monarchy. However, on 12 January 1964, The Sultan was overthrown in a popular uprising led by John Okello. Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume was named President of the newly created People's Republic of Zanzibar and Pemba.

On April 26, 1964, Tanganyika united with Zanzibar to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, this was renamed the United Republic of Tanzania on October 29, 1964.

However, after unification, local affairs were kept in control of new President Abeid Amani Karume, while foreign affairs were handled by the United Republic in Dar es Salaam.

Sources

• AllAboutZanzibar.com In-depth history of Zanzibar

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