Relationships in Zanzibar: Narratives During the Turn of the Century

During the turn of the century, the island of Zanzibar experienced profound changes. Previously ruled by the sultanate of Oman, the territory was now a protectorate of the British Empire. Although the sultan remained, Arab elites were now scrambling to hold onto authority and influence. In accordance with their increasing power, the British slowly trudged toward abolition on the island. However, not all experienced liberation, specifically concubines. Various discourses emerged about free and forced relationships. Such discourses were rigidly marked along gender and ethnic lines. Correspondence between British colonial officials and the memoirs of Salamah bint Saïd, daughter of a sultan, contain insight into perceptions of concubines and consensual relationships. Scrutinizing these texts illustrates the agendas behind each narrative, and why they were promulgated. However, the voices of those subjected to such discourse are silent in the historical record. Zanzibari women, and the stories of their own relationships and experiences as concubines are largely overlooked and unsearched for. This work looks at the impact of ethnicity, status, and gender upon discourses. It argues that by closely examining colonial documents and Zanzibari love songs, the stories of women can be uncovered. By revealing these perspectives, harmful narratives that pervade the historiography can be supplanted.