We’re going back to Zanzibar!
In today’s episode we’ll hear two stories from George Bateman’s “Zanzibar Tales Told by Natives of the East Coast of Africa” which was published in 1901:
- The Hare and the Lion
- The Lion, the Hyena and The Rabbit.
Zanzibari folktales are some of the most entertaining I have come across in African folklore and this might have something to do with the place where they come from: the island of Zanzibar itself! As some of you may know, Zanzibar is an island on the East African coast. It is part of the Tanzanian national territory but it might as well be a nation of its own – it is very unique, merging indigenous African culture with Arab, Indian, Portuguese and British culture. This is reflected in folklore from the island which features evil magicians, snake kings, eccentric teachers, wily rabbits and so much more.
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Meanwhile, if you can’t get enough of Zanbibari folklore, click here for another MA podcast episodes on the topic, or read this fascinating article on the extraordinary doors of Zanzibar.
Enjoy!
Animal Tales from Zanzibar