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ZANZIBAR. 



THE territory of Zanzibar extends along the East Coast of Africa from Ivarsheikh, lat. 2 N. to 

 Cape Delgado, lat. 10 "45 S. It includes several islands, among which Zanzibar and Peinba 

 are the largest and most thickly populated. In the former is situated Zanzibar, the capital 

 and the residence of the Sultan, H.H. Sayyid Burghash. The dominions of Zanzibar reach a 

 considerable distance into the interior, but trade in fish is confined at present to the coast and 

 islands. North of latitude 2 S., however, there is neither fish industry nor trade, the inhabi- 

 tants being either Wagunia, or belonging to Somali tribes never touching fish. Whether the 

 whole Somali race share this objecti6n to fish-eating I am unable to say positively, but 

 the Wagunia and South Somalis in these dominions entirely refuse this food. I have often 

 endeavoured to learn the origin and meaning of this peculiarity, which is undoubtedly of old 

 standing, but have never obtained any satisfactory reply. The Somalis have a legend 

 connecting it with their religion (Mohammedan), but as it rests on the miraculous it cannot be 

 accepted. It is, however, commonly believed by them that leprosy is caused by fish-eating. 

 The Wagunia have the deepest loathing for fish, but I could never get any definite reason for their 

 disgust at this diet further than that they considered fish the same as snakes. When travelling 

 with them they have invariably retired altogether apart immediately any of the party 

 commenced to cook or eat fish. 



The whole of the fish caught in Zanzibar waters is retailed for home consumption ; 

 tortoise-shell and a few pearls to the value of about 3000 annually, and a few consignments 

 of shells are the only products in connection with fish industry that are exported. There are, 

 however, numerous beds of pearl oysters along the coast, and vast quantities of coral and 

 sponge, which will doubtless be hereafter utilized. Ambergris is found on the coast, and finds 

 a ready market among the Arabs at 4 to 5 per ounce. 



Zanzibar has a large import trade of dry and salt fish, principally shark and scar-fish 

 (nguru). The imports of cured fish through the custom houses average in annual value 

 30,000, representing about 500 tons, about 25,000 of which comes to the capital. Almost the 

 whole of this fish comes in native vessels from Oman, Sheher, Sur, and other districts of 

 southern Arabia, but of late it has begun to find its way by steamer from Aden. The only 

 impost upon it is 5 per cent, import duty. There is a fish custom house at Zanzibar, and a 

 regular salt fish market where the fish is sold wholesale, fetching on an average 12s. per cwt. 

 It is afterwards retailed to the working population at about 2d. per Ib. Dried fish is the staple 

 animal food of the poor and labouring population both free and slave ; it is either grilled or 

 cooked with a little roughly prepared curry, and served as a relish with the evening meal of 

 rice or more commonly meal porridge, in every hut and cottage, two or three ounces sufficing 

 for each person. Any other description of animal food is rarely within the means of natives of 

 the labouring classes, except in the case of those residing on the coast, who at times can 

 procure fresh fish at equally low prices, as well as a great variety of shellfish during the 

 spring tides. 



There is a considerable quantity of shark and small fish cured in the coast villages, 

 principally for home consumption, but there are no dues levied upon it, and it is difficult to 

 estimate the amount. The octopus is also dried in large quantities by the native fishermen, 

 and, being sold at a very low price, is largely eaten by the natives. Its use is liable to cause a 

 very unsightly skin disease. 



With regard to the proportion of the population engaged in fishing and fish industry it 

 would at such short notice, be only guess-work to attempt to give statistics. 



The waters of Zanzibar swarm with fish, but there can be no doubt that the slave trade on 

 this coast has hitherto had great effect in retarding the development of fishing as well as all 

 other industries. The excitement and profit of that nefarious traffic have proved a greater 



