In the historic fortifications of the capital of Zanzibar, guard soldiers once carved depictions of ships into the walls, archaeologists report. According to the dating, the graffiti probably dates from the 19th century – from the time when the archipelago in East Africa was ruled by Omani sultans. As the researchers explain, the depictions provide insights into the types of ships that were sailing in the western Indian Ocean at the time.
We typically associate Zanzibar with Heligoland: The East African archipelago, which today belongs to Tanzania, became known through the so-called Zanzibar-Helgoland Treaty. As part of this agreement of 1890, the British ceded the North Sea island to the German Reich and in return the Germans renounced colonial projects on the east coast of Africa. However, this was not a real exchange: Zanzibar was not a colony at the time, it was merely an area of interest for the Germans. Because until it was declared a British protectorate in 1890, Zanzibar was a free sultanate.
The history of the influence of the Islamic rulers goes back to the late 17th century. In 1831, the Sultan of Oman even moved his seat of government to Stone Town on the main island of Zanzibar. At that time, the city was an important hub for transoceanic trade: An extensive network of connections that used the monsoon winds for shipping ended there. Stone Town played an important role in the trade of various goods – but especially for slaves from East Africa. The city near the port was dominated by the “Gereza” fort, which the Omani rulers had expanded further, especially in the 18th century.
Traces in Fort “Gereza” in sight
Archaeologists John Cooper and Alessandro Ghidoni of the University of Exeter report that some parts of the walls of this fortification show remains of depictions of ships that were once carved into the plaster. As part of their study, they have now pursued the question of what these incised drawings are all about. As the archaeologists initially explain, the depictions have a special feature: They were not attached to representative surfaces – so they probably did not fulfill any spiritual or religious function. On the other hand, they are usually located in areas of the fort where guards used to patrol. Cooper and Ghidoni therefore assume that these men represented the ships they saw in the nearby harbor.
Based on structural information, the two scientists came to the conclusion that the illustrations were created in the 19th century. Although they do not date from the early days of the fort, they are nevertheless of historical value. Because they provide further insights into seafaring off the coast of East Africa in this formative era of world history. Specifically, the images document the types of ships that were sailing in the western Indian Ocean at the time.
Different ship types recognizable
Among other things, the researchers identified a three-masted European-style frigate. As Cooper and Ghidoni explain, it seems plausible that these and other square ship types of the western powers visited Zanzibar during this period. According to their research, the Oman Navy also had a number of ships of this type. They also recognized in some of the sketchy illustrations typical deep-sea ships of the Indian Ocean, which are often referred to by the collective term “dhow”. However, some can also be assigned to specific ship types, such as the Baghla, Ghanja, Sanbūq or Kotia. Two depictions may also represent the little documented East African mtepe – a ship sewn together rather than nailed. The researchers report that the ships depicted on the graffiti, which appear to have special rigging, could also represent Omani deep-sea merchant ships that were involved in long-distance trade.
Finally, Cooper provides a “scenic” impression of the circumstances under which the depictions were probably made: “The graffiti in the south-west tower and on the west walls of the Gereza were apparently done by members of the fort’s community who had time: soldiers, who kept watch or spent their free time in the more airy upper areas of the building. These may have been members of the military units or slave soldiers stationed at the fort by the sultans for much of the 19th century. These soldiers will probably have traveled there and back on the ocean-going ships that they depicted on the walls,” says Cooper.
Source: University of Exeter, professional article: Archaeological Research in Africa, doi:10.1080/0067270X.2022.2047526