Arab contribution to the culture of Tanzania: Results of field studies

Abstract

The article highlights the results of 5 field studies conducted in Tanzania in 2018-2021 by the scholars of the Institute for African Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences, and dedicated to the memories of the XIX century Arab slave trade and their influence on nowadays interethnic and interreligious relations in this country. More than 180 interviews were taken: formal, in accordance with pre-compiled question list, and informal ones, in a free form, closer to simple conversation. Interviews were conducted in English and Swahili in the following locations: Dar es Salaam, Bagamoyo, Kaole, Zanzibar, Tanga, Pangani, Mikindani, Kilwa Masoko and some others. The article outlines Tanzanians' views on the contribution of Arabs to Tanzanian culture. Most often, respondents mentioned Islam, culture (broadly speaking), Swahili language, and Muslim dressing style. Despite of the presence of some negative comments from Christians about the Arabs and Islam in general, there are no significant differences in the answers of representatives of the two confessions about the influence of Arabs on Tanzanian culture. We believe that such balance in the answers is due to the fact that almost all interlocutors said that the main source of information about the history of the slave trade and, in general, Arabs in Tanzania, is school textbooks, and they are created according to general government programs independent of religions. Therefore the influence of Arab culture on the current culture of Tanzania is significant and consciously recognized by many Tanzanians. Despite the low percentage of Arabs among the Tanzanian population in general, their contribution to the countries' culture is very clear and notable not only on Zanzibar, which was and still remains a part of Arab world, but on the mainland as well.