While I was exploring Stone Town on the Island of Zanzibar, Tanzania, I walked by The Anglican Christ Church Cathedral…
and saw that it was the former slave market site. It was only a few dollars to view it and there were a number of guys standing around offering to give tours, so I asked one of the men how much he charged. He said he worked for tips…whatever I wanted to give…so off I went for a tour!
The tour lasted about 20 minutes. First we walked through the church and he explained that since slavery had been abolished in the States in 1863 and it wasn’t abolished in Zanzibar until 1873, for those 10 years, the slaves were shipped to other countries other than the U.S., such as Dubai and other Middle Eastern countries. While researching for this post, I found information that is contrary to what my tour guide gave. Actually, slavery wasn’t completely abolished in the U.S. until 1865 and in Zanzibar until 1897. There was a treaty signed with Britain to suppress slavery in Zanzibar in 1873.
This is the interior of the church…
Here is an underground area where the slaves were kept. The guide said as many as 50 women and children were in this one room where they slept. This area had a palatable sadness. Seeing the shackles and trying to imagine living in these conditions left an imprint!
The last country in Africa to abolish slavery was Niger in 1960. Even then it wasn’t illegal until 2003. From 1960 until 1981 slavery was abolished in Saudi Arabia, Yemen, United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Mauritania, respectively. I was surprised by this.
Although slavery is illegal in all nations, it still exists, or forms of it, throughout the world!
Related articles
- African Postman: The Legacy of Slavery in Zanzibar, Tanzania (petchary.wordpress.com)
- My Little Friend from Zanzibar (ireport.cnn.com)
- I’ll come back to Zanzibar… (thehindu.com)
I did a book review on the book by Lawrence Hill called the Book of Negroes. It really gives a thorough description of what slavery was like by linking fact and fiction.
I’ll have to read it…thanks!
What a powerful post and beautiful photos – do you know that Bristol in UK was one of the biggest slavery port in the world. The first stop on their journey and many slaves where already sold there. John Newton who wrote Amazing Grace was a captain on a slave ship for years and when the lyrics is about his guilt.
I didn’t know that! How sad!!
Powerful … thanks for sharing.
Looking forward to reading more of your blog. It looks as if your travels reveal more than tourism!
Thanks very much!!
Wow! Thanks for sharing. I had no idea that legal slavery existed not so long ago. Thank you for the reminder that form of slavery still does exist underground.
I know…it is surprising!
There was so much hate and ignorance in humanity… there still is, but I think we’re getting better! Somber post.
Yes…I believe that humanity is healing itself gradually!
Hi, good article! It’s great to mention modern slavery. Unfortunately it’s too little known. Here is an incredible book about the true story of a Sudanese girl who was captured and spent years of her life as a slave in Sudan and England. “Slave: My true story” by Mende Nazer and Damien Lewis. Here is her website as well: http://www.mendenazer.org
Thank you for the link. I briefly checked it out and will read more later!
I’m not seeing ghosts and monsters but this gives me goosebumps. Slavery is inhumane!
Yes it is horrible!
Poignant images. Unbelievable what man will do to man! Bonded labour is akin to slavery and although illegal is still practiced clandestinely in several regions in Asia.
I know…unbelievable!
The last image is very powerful. I would like to know more about it.
Michelle – It was there by the Church outside. I’m not sure who the artist was.
Moving set of pictures and narrative. Thank you so much for sharing and for reminding us of the importance of remembrance and being kind to one another.
…thanks for sharing.. love your blog!
…safe travels
g*
Thanks Grant!!
This must have been intensely moving. And I absolutely had no idea that slavery was practiced as recently as you indicated. Man’s inhumanity … it never fails to astound me.
OMG! Thank you for conducting the research needed to add accuracy and clarity to the situation. It sickens me that it no doubt still exists!
You’re welcome! That’s one of the things about blogging that I enjoy. I tend to do more research and learn more!
A wonderfully infomative post!
Thank you! And for stopping by!!
You’re very welcome and I think it’s actually thank YOU for posting this and opening our eyes to very recent history. I honestly had no idea about some of these facts. Greatly appreciated!
Oh make no mistake about it, slavery still continues and in places closer to home than you think – be aware of the origins of your fruit & veg, coffee, chocolate… even your household appliances! A great post Sherry, hope I haven’t dampened the spirit of it but I feel strongly about slavery and can tell you some stories of some of the supposedly reputable organic farms near where I used to live a little outside London
You didn’t dampen anything Martyn! Actually, it’s appalling to think what some people will do for money!
I was thinking more what some people will do knowing that others need money and have no other means of getting it… but I guess you meant that
Thanks for sharing your experiences around Southern Africa, I really enjoyed reading about them. Hopefully one day, you can tell me all about them in person 
Yes…I meant that. I would love to meet you! I’m planning a trip to Europe in about a month…but I was shooting for countries I haven’t visited yet. Maybe you can make it to one of them!
So poignant … and startling to learn about slavery existing in the Middle East until the 1980s!! Unreal to think how some people live in such suffering … thanks for sharing this, Sherry!!
I couldn’t believe it when I read that!
It really is shocking when you learn how widespread slavery was (and possibly still is). I hope we soon get rid of it completely, at least in its official form.
Me too!!
Wow! It’s places like this that truly have a story. Very cool post. Following because I enjoy your writing and photos, and I really can’t wait to see more
~Kay
Thanks so much Kay!