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Inside Zanzibar

A look at the melting pot culture of Zanzibar, an East African archipelago off the Tanzanian coast, as seen by travel writer Christopher Vourlias.

Arriving in Zanzibar by sea, the explorer David Livingstone wrote, "This is the finest place I have known in all of Africa to rest before starting my last journey."

Arriving in Zanzibar by sea, the explorer David Livingstone wrote, "This is the finest place I have known in all of Africa to rest before starting my last journey."

Christopher Vourlias

A motorist scoots past the Palace Museum, built in the late 19th century for members of the sultan's family. It was renamed the People's Palace after the revolution of 1964, and has housed a museum since 1994.

A motorist scoots past the Palace Museum, built in the late 19th century for members of the sultan's family. It was renamed the People's Palace after the revolution of 1964, and has housed a museum since 1994.

Christopher Vourlias

The Forodhani Orphanage was established in 1964 by Zanzibar's government. In the evening, children scamper across the walkway and call out to the tourists below.

The Forodhani Orphanage was established in 1964 by Zanzibar's government. In the evening, children scamper across the walkway and call out to the tourists below.

Christopher Vourlias

Many houses in Stone Town, the historic heart of Zanzibar city, have been converted from former palaces, or the private homes of wealthy merchants. Here, a young boy races through one of the city's distinctive carved doorways.

Many houses in Stone Town, the historic heart of Zanzibar city, have been converted from former palaces, or the private homes of wealthy merchants. Here, a young boy races through one of the city's distinctive carved doorways.

Christopher Vourlias

After confrontations with local police, hundreds of merchants were relocated to Saateni, an impromptu market built on the outskirts of Zanzibar city.

After confrontations with local police, hundreds of merchants were relocated to Saateni, an impromptu market built on the outskirts of Zanzibar city.

Christopher Vourlias

"The people who come here and see I am so charming, they must think I am a very rich man," said Suleiman, a fabric seller in Zanzibar. Crackdowns and fines by the police take a heavy toll on local merchants.

"The people who come here and see I am so charming, they must think I am a very rich man," said Suleiman, a fabric seller in Zanzibar. Crackdowns and fines by the police take a heavy toll on local merchants.

Christopher Vourlias

"People used to cook big pots of food, and anyone would come inside to sit and eat," said the author's neighbor, Zainab. Despite Zanzibar's rising cost of living, the mother of seven still welcomes neighbors into her home.

"People used to cook big pots of food, and anyone would come inside to sit and eat," said the author's neighbor, Zainab. Despite Zanzibar's rising cost of living, the mother of seven still welcomes neighbors into her home.

Christopher Vourlias

Pweza wa nazi, octopus simmered in a spicy coconut sauce, is a Zanzibari specialty.

Pweza wa nazi, octopus simmered in a spicy coconut sauce, is a Zanzibari specialty.

Christopher Vourlias

During the author's stay in Zanzibar, he taught basic computer skills to Kombo, who works at his cousin's vegetable stall in Darajani Market six days a week. "I am living very far in the past," Kombo said.

During the author's stay in Zanzibar, he taught basic computer skills to Kombo, who works at his cousin's vegetable stall in Darajani Market six days a week. "I am living very far in the past," Kombo said.

Christopher Vourlias

In small doses, the author gradually learned enough Swahili to make it through the market. Here, he is taught the Swahili word for garlic, kitunguu saumu.

In small doses, the author gradually learned enough Swahili to make it through the market. Here, he is taught the Swahili word for garlic, kitunguu saumu.

Christopher Vourlias

At dusk, tourists flock to Forodhani Gardens for a taste of the day's catches, grilled by local fishermen beneath the stars.

At dusk, tourists flock to Forodhani Gardens for a taste of the day's catches, grilled by local fishermen beneath the stars.

Christopher Vourlias

Gallery Credits:
Photo Editor, Producer Troy Witcher Text Editor Sarah Marston

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