The women's co-operative Moto (Swahili for fire) has existed for 20 years. Their new bags are indeed as hot as fire. Raffia bags with fringes are in fashion all over the world. A co-operative from Pete has created some great models made from palm stripes now on sale in Zanzibar. About 20 years ago, a […]
A three-day event, a nikah ceremony at the mosque and ever-changing glamorous outfits - this is, in essence, a traditional Zanzibar wedding. Muslim weddings often come with a lot of impressive things, including staggering traditions and rituals. These rituals are spread out, and grouped into three: pre-wedding, during the wedding, and post-wedding. Although it sounds […]
Muna has led more than 150 young Zanzibari women to a career with her „Muna Beauty Academy“. Bridal looks are her specialty. On her official company photo she looks like Audrey Hepburn. When you see Munawar Suleiman Mbarouk, known to everybody simply as Muna, teaching young students at her academy, she still looks beautiful but […]
Zanzibar’s appeal is undeniable. Turquoise waters, ideal wind conditions for kitesurfing, a vibrant local culture, restaurants and hotels. Yet one of the most common narratives from those who live in Zanzibar is about “getting away”, travelling to a different place to find peace and solace. People working here often feel they have to leave the […]
Many countries in the world offer incentives to investors such as a residence visa for long-stayers. Will Tanzania soon make the move? The issue is obvious: When foreigners buy a house somewhere, be it for holidays, as a home away from home or to let , they need the assurance that their second home is […]
Her 100 days in office are just ending, but Tanzania’s new head of state, “Mama Samia, has already made the island’s woman power more visible On 19 March 2021, the world witnessed the swearing in of the first female president of the United Republic of Tanzania, the land of Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar. After the death […]
Africa’s first permaculture town exists in Zanzibar. The name: Fumba Town. The magic recipe: Do as nature would! That turned coral rock land into a lush green paradise, attracting homebuyers from 57 nations. What’s the secret? And could the whole world learn from it? Residents living in Fumba Town have a lecture room right in […]
By Rudolf Blauth From colonial heritage to artsy hideaway: Coastal Bagamoyo is well worth a visit. There is love at first sight and love at second sight. When you fall in love with Bagamoyo, it's mostly the latter. For first-time visitors, it is not uncommon to walk across the dusty roads of the coastal town […]
After decades of neglect the House of Wonders collapsed on Christmas Day 2020. Oman and Zanzibar have vowed to resurrect it. THE FUMBA TIMES spoke to experts and artists about the chances to save the iconic palace. The naval bombardment during an attempted palace coup in 1896 couldn’t kill it, but decades of decay did. […]
EXCLUSIVE Hon. Minister Mudrick Soraga speaks out on goodies for investors A fresh start, a young cabinet: 36-year-old Hon. Mudrik Ramadhan Soraga is one of the promising talents of Zanzibar’s new government elected in October. Frank and open-minded, the Minister of Labour, Economy and Investment spoke to THE FUMBA TIMES about the planned mega-port, business […]
A new Belgian-owned boutique hotel in Jambiani has quickly risen to a pilgrimage point for cocktail lovers. Opened only two years ago (half of that during Corona times) the Kupaga Villas at the Mshangani stretch of southern Jambiani offer some of the finest cocktails on the island, in combination with an innovative coastal cuisine. The […]
Fine fabrics for every taste: The biggest choice and best prices in town offers Suma, a not-so-easy-to-find local store on three floors in Darajani. Printed fabrics in bold colours and flowing dresses – even though most of Zanzibari women cover themselves according to Muslim tradition, they do it in their very own style, colourful and […]
