Skip to main content
  • Explore
  • New
  • Register
  • Magazine subscription
National Geographic
National Geographic
  • Perpetual Planet
  • Photo of the Day
  • TV Schedule
Travel

Photo gallery: colours and culture in Stone Town, Zanzibar

Ruled for centuries by the Sultanate of Oman, Tanzania’s laid-back archipelago is home to a vibrant blend of African, Islamic and Portuguese architectural and artistic styles.8 October 2019

Photographs By Christopher Wilton-Steer
facebooktwitterflipboardwhatsapp
Music in Stone Town
Taraab music, from Arabic tariba (‘to be moved’), fuses African, Arabic and Indian influences. Typically, a Taraab orchestra fuses Western and traditional local instruments, including a violin, a kanun, an accordion, a nay and drums, plus a singer. These group can be found playing at the Serena hotel.
Photograph by Christopher Wilton-Steer
Along the harbour front, Stone Town.
Photograph by Christopher Wilton-Steer
One of the many vintage bicycles used to get around Zanzibar. No need for locks.
Photograph by Christopher Wilton-Steer
One of the ladies working on the spice farm not far from Stone Town.
Photograph by Christopher Wilton-Steer
Children, some in their uniforms, mucking about after school, Pemba.
Photograph by Christopher Wilton-Steer
Looking over the tin roofs of Stone Town.
Photograph by Christopher Wilton-Steer
Men relaxing outside Stone Town’s Old Dispensary building.
Photograph by Christopher Wilton-Steer
Stone Town is arguably most famous for its iconic doors.
Photograph by Christopher Wilton-Steer
The doorways mix African styles with Indian and Arabic designs brought by traders and migrants.
Photograph by Christopher Wilton-Steer
A typical door.
Photograph by Christopher Wilton-Steer
A semi-open door in Stone Town.
Photograph by Christopher Wilton-Steer
The brass knobs that protrude from many of them hark back to those found on doorways ten times the size in India.
Photograph by Christopher Wilton-Steer
The knobs were intended to deter elephants from ramming the doors of great forts.
Photograph by Christopher Wilton-Steer
A local stands outside a house in Stone Town.
Photograph by Christopher Wilton-Steer
One of the typical doors in Stone Town.
Photograph by Christopher Wilton-Steer
A blue door.
Photograph by Christopher Wilton-Steer
Some neighbours catching up on the streets of Stone Town.
Photograph by Christopher Wilton-Steer
Morning light near Maruhubi fishing village near Stone Town.
Photograph by Christopher Wilton-Steer
Many of the men wear traditional hand-embroidered ‘Bargashia’ hats, which come in a variety of colours.
Photograph by Christopher Wilton-Steer
A father and his three boys saddle up before heading out for a ride, Pemba.
Photograph by Christopher Wilton-Steer
An off duty nurse stands for a portrait before heading home, Pemba.
Photograph by Christopher Wilton-Steer
Fruit sellers - with guava, bananas and oranges - add a burst of green, yellow and orange to Stone Town’s diverse colour palette.
Photograph by Christopher Wilton-Steer.
Young boys showing off their wheelie skills along the harbour front of Stone Town.
Photograph by Christopher Wilton-Steer
School’s out and the girls are heading home, Pemba.
Photograph by Christopher Wilton-Steer
Women queue to purchase cosmetics, Stone Town.
Photograph by Christopher Wilton-Steer
In Stone Town’s narrow streets, there’s only enough space for pedestrians and cyclists.
Photograph by Christopher Wilton-Steer
In one of Stone Town’s small squares, men gather to play dominoes.
Photograph by Christopher Wilton-Steer
A late afternoon stroll along Stone Town’s harbour front.
Photograph by Christopher Wilton-Steer
A fishing dhow returns to harbour after 12 hours out at sea.
Photograph by Christopher Wilton-Steer
Sunset in Stone Town.
Photograph by Christopher Wilton-Steer
  • Travel
Find More Information

Follow

facebooktwitterinstagram

SubscribePrivacy Policy(UPDATED)Terms of ServiceCookie PolicyPolicies & ProceduresContact InformationWhere to WatchConsent Management

You might also like

Travel
Photo gallery: Nepal, land of the brave
Travel
Photo gallery: the story behind Detroit's comeback
Travel
40 epic landscapes to inspire your next trip
Travel
The most absurd foods you can eat at the Minnesota State Fair
Travel
Photo gallery: How Ecuador is falling back in love with chocolate