The population of Zanzibar, totalling just over 1.3 million, mostly consists of Africans and people of mixed African-Persian ancestry — the Shirazi and Arabs. At independence, Arabs constituted less than 20 per cent of Zanzibar’s population but were economically and politically dominant.

Three distinct varieties of Arabic are in use in Zanzibar: Standard Arabic, Omani Arabic and Hadrami Arabic. Both vernacular varieties are falling out of use, although the Omani one is spoken by a larger group of people (probably, several hundreds).

The Arab influence on Zanzibar and Pemba islands is evident in the people, who are a mix of Shirazia (from Persia), Arabs, Comorians (from the Comoros Islands) and Bantu from the mainland, though the latter predominate. Asians are a …

Jun 23, 2024 · The Arab influence in Zanzibar can be traced back to 1698 when the islands fell under the Sultanate of Oman. Over the years, Zanzibar became a hub for trade, attracting Arab, Persian, Somali, and Indian communities. The Arab community particularly thrived and controlled much of the island’s wealth.

Arabs were mass murdered, raped, tortured and deported from the island by Black African militiamen under the Afro-Shirazi Party and Umma Party.

May 19, 2021 · The two predominant dialects spoken are Omani Arabic and Hadhrami (Eastern Yemeni) Arabic, which have mostly disappeared and only people of the older generation speak them today. However, because the islands are majority …

Arab people have had a profound impact on Zanzibari culture, which offers visitors with numerous unforgettable experiences. The name Zanzibar comes from the Persian or Arabic word zangh bar, which means “the Negro Coast,” and dates back to the 9th century, when invading Arabs from the north settled on the islands.

Jun 24, 2024 · While Zanzibar has been associated with Arab culture, the majority of the population consists of ethnic Swahili who have mixed African and Arab ancestry. Zanzibar’s ruling elite was overthrown by the African majority in 1964.

Dec 11, 2024 · The People of Zanzibar 1. Ethnic Groups. The majority of Zanzibar’s population is of Bantu origin, primarily descendants of African communities. There is a significant influence from Arab settlers, especially from Oman, who played a key role in Zanzibar’s history.

The language spoken in Zanzibar is Arabic and Swahili, mainly Swahili which happen to have quite a few Arabic words in them. The island of origin of the locals pretty much determines what tribe they belong to.