Island North Of Zanzibar

From Ziff to Fiesta in Mwanza

The Awards night was also waiting in the corner an air of anticipation filling the air and at the distant end in Rock City was the kick off of the Serengeti Fiesta Party season.

In Zanzibar after Shaggy’s sold out concert, it was time for the awards that equally drew thousands of a sieved audience that was eager to know the award winning films.

It might not have been your usual celebrity Oscar night with blockbuster type films that rake in millions at the box office, instead, these were films from East African and other parts of Africa that were worth the awards.

This feeling was shared by a cross section of fans, film makers and the Jury at the 14th edition of the ZIFF at the Spice Islands.

The nine-day extravaganza of films, music and other forms of art showcased by what East Africa and Africa’s nascent film industry has to offer.

The mere presence of names celebrated film makers like Nick Broomfield who produced Biggie and Tupac, Nick Miller of the Constant Gardener, and Donal McCusker of the academy winning film The Hurt Locker, were all part of the cosmopolitan audience.

As they had promised that they were coming to listen to what filmmakers in East Africa have to say, they pitched in with HD film making workshops.

Attracting all the attention were films such as ‘The Rugged Priest’ by Bob Nyanja from Kenya which won the Golden Dhow Award, ‘Fambul Tok’, Sarah Terry from the US which got a nod for the Signus award.

Another Kenyan film maker who got on the podium was Kwame Nyong’O for his effort in The Legend Of Ngong hills, he was joined by Xena Bantarizah a Ugandan Canadian film maker whose film won two awards as the Best Original Score and the Chairman’s award category.

Tanzanian film makers were not left behind after Sajni Sirvastava made another second appearance in two years after her film Ray Of Hope won the Best Swahili Feature Film as the Best Actor in a Swahili film went to Jacob Stephen in Senior Bachelor.

However, as celebrated stars revel in their glory, debutant Jokate Mwegelo was the surprise package of the night and the season as she was named the Best Swahili actress an award that went to Yvone Cheryl aka Monalisa last year.

As outgoing festival director Prof Martin Mhando put it : The growing appeal as per the viewership at the annual festival whose stature continues to grow to the extent of attracting corporate sponsorship such as Tusker Malt Lager is a pointer towards greater times to come.

A Quick tour of Zanzibar Island |

Article by Ian Williamson

Zanzibar is an archipelago of over 50 islands with the largest two being Zanzibar Island and Pemba Islands. Zanzibar is only 25 miles from the Tanzanian coast and reached by high speed ferry or flights from Dar es Salaam and Arusha in the north. Zanzibar Island (known locally as Unguja) is relatively small [60 miles long and 20 miles wide].

The entry point and port of Stone Town may not have the most romantic name but is the old city and cultural heart of Zanzibar, with little changing over the past 200 years. It is a place of narrow winding alleys, bustling bazaars, mosques and grand Arab houses whose original owners competed with each other over the extravagance of their dwellings. This one-upmanship is reflected in the huge, carved, wooden doors decorated with brass studs. It is possible to spend hours just wandering through the fascinating labyrinth of narrow streets and alleyways.

Spice Plantations are a part of Zanzibar a trip to the island would be incomplete without a tour of the plantations that grow cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, pepper and many other spices which brought the Sultans of Oman [and the beginnings of the infamous slave trade].

The Jozani Natural Forest Reserve is located in the central east region of Zanzibar Island and is home to the rare Red Colobus Monkey. They can also be seen at very close quarters just outside the reserve’s perimeter and are incredibly photogenic. Jozani is home to other species including Syke’s monkeys, small buck and bush pigs.

Tours to the unspoilt north coast usually end up at Nungwi fishing village on the northern tip of Zanzibar Island – approached by a road lined by banana palms, mangroves and coconut trees – it is the dhow building capital of Zanzibar. Here you will be able to see the traditional methods of dhow construction in action. This area of Zanzibar has some fantastic beaches and nearby coral reefs which are ideal for diving and snorkeling.

Prison Island once the site of a jail for unruly slaves, lies just off Stone Town. It is fringed with a beautiful coral reef, ideal for snorkeling, and has a lovely white beach for sun-bathing. It is also home to a family of giant tortoises.

The beaches in Zanzibar are a paradise with a sprinkling of picturesque fishing villages. There are more than twenty-five fantastic beaches in Zanzibar, and some are so peaceful and remote that the only noise breaking the silence is the ocean.

Dictionary of Islamic Architecture

Zanzibar

Northern Tanzania, with Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar : the Bradt safari guide

Zanzibar in contemporary times, a short history of the southern East in the nineteenth century

Zanzibar, the island metropolis of eastern Africa