The Ramadan Experience
This year the month of Ramadan is from June 17 to July 17, so we overlap with a significant portion of it while we’re here. We’ve been told that Zanzibar will really come alive once Ramadan is over, but it’s been incredibly interesting to experience the religious culture of Stone Town. The fast begins at dawn every day; those participating do not eat or drink while the sun is out. Many people are exempt from fasting: the old, the young (children begin fasting around 7 years old), those who are sick, and those traveling far distances. At sundown, we ceremoniously break fast with dates and then eat fatari, our evening feast. Later at night (usually around 1 am) families dine again at a meal called daku. When the sun comes up, the fast begins again.
During Ramadan tourists are encouraged to dress more conservatively. Maya, Sara and Ishrat usually wear scarves to cover their hair and shoulders when out in public. Eating or drinking in public is also very frowned upon. Islam is a much bigger part of the local culture than religion is in in the United States. It pervades all aspects of life, from the call to prayer five times a day to the way people dress to the friendly nature of the locals we’ve encountered. We’re excited to see how life in like in Zanzibar will differ after Ramadan is over and are looking forward to Eid, the four-day celebration that marks the end of the holy month.
