THE STONE TOWN COFFEE DRINKING BARAZAS.
Dotted in the UNESCO Conserved stone town in Zanzibar city, as a world heritage, and among the meandering and narrow alleys, are the coffee drinking Barazas which have a special mark of importance in the daily life of the tourist destination.
Historically, the coffee sellers were Zanzibaris of Yemen origin, who donned short colorful sarongs tied with thick khaki belt with several pockets and sleeveless khaki coat. Some of them went street after street selling this hooking drink. But it has been restricted of recent in stone town.
In the Kiswahili meaning, Baraza is a cement block being part of the Swahili architecture, which is used for people to gather for resting, talking, but the meaning and function of a Baraza has been extended to any setting where people are able to meet and intermingle passing time. Kikombe Cha kahawa are small cups used to serve Zanzibar brand of coffee which is always drunk hot.
As a culture coffee in Zanzibar Barazas like in homes as well, is always served with the right hand, the cup is never filled up to the brim and if there are senior people, they will be served first for respect. As a culture too, the cup will be received by the right hand.
DESTINATION ZANZIBAR
From slow, humble, and modest beginnings but seriously opening up for Tourism in 1990s, Zanzibar has now established herself as a paradise which had always the potential to grow into a sought-after destination by visitors from across the globe. She now stands tall and proud as a destination in her own name and status and is indeed a bliss in heaven. Historically, Zanzibar has not been stranger to visitors, having welcomed sea voyagers from Portugal, Oman, Iran, The Vikings from Den mark, Yemen, Malaysia, China and all of them following Ivory, Silk, Slaves and spice routes and necessarily making a stoppage to load Zanzibar water – the cleanest.
But all these sea-fearers left behind their traditions, culinary, attire, architecture languages, thus shaping Zanzibar as it looks now with some leavening their religion which has been deeply entrenched into the society in the name of Islamic culture.
In the old days(1980s) Zanzibar had not discovered or realized, so to speak, the beauty and attraction it had, the nature, and beaches that were so lonely for want of visitors, but also the history and heritage lying dormant but in abundance, all waiting to be enjoyed by all who would have come to choose Zanzibar to spend their holidays.
It is now certain while a visitor is in Zanzibar, there is wide selection of programs and activities for one to enjoy. There is a range of tour and which include the exceptionally a must-do old town city tour- an iconic UNESCO declared preserved city where, standing proudly are the old Portuguese fort, the house of wonders, the sultanate palace, the Tip Tip house, the old customs house, the old dispensary, Freddy mercury house all found along the main arcade along the sea front.
With Destination Zanzibar come also with beautiful beaches at Nungwi which is most popular spot lying north of Unguja, while in south, the choice is wider- Jambiani, Paje, and Bwejuu.
That said, the most valuable asset destination Zanzibar has, is her culture and her people- Always happy, open, understanding and very good at intermingling and making friends thus everyone who goes to Zanzibar feels at home to heavenly destination.
