When you walk around the tiny ancient streets of Stone Town, you will notice them for sure... beautiful carved doors locking the traditional Zanzibari homeplaces, owned once upon a time by rich merchants and traders. Such incredible and complicated carvings!
Not everybody know, but these detailed decorations have a meaning: one of the most important part of a Zanzibari house is the door, not just for safety reasons, but also as a kind of “business card” of the inhabitants.
Historically, the different areas of Stone Town where more related to a certain trade rather than others. Same way, not all doors have the same images. Styles and symbols change depending on different cultural roots. There are some recurring figures that are the key to “read” a Zanzibari door.
Flowers indicate a high class family. Chains are the symbol of a slave traders. Fishes and ropes represent a businessman dealing with fishing and vessels. Geometric shapes were for mathematicians and accountants. Beads mean jewellers. And so on…
Nearby markets, you’ll see a lot of Indian doors, built mainly for security purpose - less decorated and reinforced with dhow nails. In other areas you’ll see Arabic doors, richer in carving with visible symbols and Koranic scripts.
You need to be a good observer when you have a trip in Stone Town. So many secrets are hidden in this unique corner of the Archipelago!
1 comment:
Thank you so much for sharing information about the street of stone town and much more. I appreciate your efforts. Drive in Zanzibar
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