The State University Of Zanzibar

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Preserving the Intellectual Legacy of Zanzibar

Oral History Interviews with Professor Abdul Sheriff
The pilot interview for the project Preserving the Intellectual Legacy of Zanzibar was successfully conducted on 22 October 2025 in Dar es Salaam, focusing on the theme “Maritime Worlds: Dhows, Trade & Transoceanic Networks.” This initiative is funded by the French Embassy in Tanzania, with additional support from the Alliance Française of Tanzania.
Led by Dr. Saada Wahab and Dr. Abdallah Mkumbukwa, and inspired by earlier contributions from the late Mr. Salum Suleiman, the project seeks to record and preserve the spoken reflections of one of East Africa’s most influential historians, Professor Abdul Sheriff.

About the Pilot Interview

In this session, Professor Sheriff reflects on Zanzibar’s historic role as a central hub in the Indian Ocean world. Drawing on decades of research and personal experience, he discusses:
  • The cultural and economic significance of dhow navigation
  • Seasonal mobility and trade routes connecting Arabia, India, Persia, and the Swahili Coast
  • Zanzibar’s emergence as a cosmopolitan maritime crossroads
  • How maritime interactions shaped identity, religion, and social life across the region
  • The conversation offers new insights that go beyond his published works, showcasing how historical interpretations evolve through time, memory, and reflection.

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