Zanzibar, Tanzania

Last modified: 2002-07-20 by jarig bakker
Keywords: zanzibar | tanzania | oman | helgoland |
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• Historical introduction
• Peoples Republic of Zanzibar
• People’s Republic of Zanzibar flag #2
• Zanzibar, after 1964

• Tanzania: national index
• Omani rule
• German protectorate
• Zanzibar Blue Ensign (doubtful?)
• Zanzibar British Resident
• Zanzibar independent (1963-64)
• Afro-Shirazi party
• Oman
• Helgoland

Historical introduction

1885.  Germany claimed administrative responsibility for Zanzibar, presumably on the grounds that both the main islands, Zanzibar and Pemba, lay off the coast of German East Africa, parts of which had previously been included in the Sultan of Zanzibar's mainland territories.

1890.  Treaty of Berlin signed on 1 July.  Germany withdrew her claim over Zanzibar and Witu (Sultan's mainland territories occupied by Britain), in exchange for Heligoland.  Britain declared Zanzibar a British protected state.

There was no special British flag associated with Zanzibar at this time, as Zanzibar was the responsibility of the Foreign Office.  It was transferred to the Colonial Office in 1914 and the Resident's flag introduced in 1918.

1918 amendment to 1916 Admiralty Flag Book.
Zanzibar.  Dhow, red flag at stern, imperial crown above.
Naval Letters 9075/18 and 31236/18.

1925 amendment to the 1916 Admiralty Flag Book.
Listed all badges, the flags on which they appeared, whether there was a garland if the badge appeared on the Union Jack, and whether there was a white disc if on an ensign.
Only reference to Zanzibar was: "British Resident Zanzibar : on Union Flag with garland."

1959 edition of "Observers Book of Flags" by I.O.Evans.
"The Standard, Ensign and Merchant Flags of Zanzibar are plain red, but the badge of the British Resident, placed at the centre of the Union Flag depicts a dhow at sea; above is the Royal Crown."

1959 edition of "The Flag Book" by Preben Kannik.
"624a. British Resident in Zanzibar.  Only used in the Union Flag."
David Prothero, 14 Jul 2002

People’s Republic of Zanzibar

Following the 17 January 1964 coup which deposed the Sultan, the revolutionary group purporting to represent the island’s negro majority proclaimed a Peoples’ Republic. This immediately made an offer of union with the Marxist-leaning government of Tanganyika. Two flags emerged during the early part of this period - the horizontally striped black-yellow-blue flag appears to have been short lived, and was replaced with the blue-black-green triband with a white stripe in the hoist.
Stuart Notholt, 1996 Jun 29

People’s Republic of Zanzibar flag #2

As happened in neighbouring Tanganyika, this latter flag was based on the emblem of the ruling party; in Zanzibar’s case the Afro-Shirazi party. The party had a flag of blue over black over green with a yellow hoe in the centre. The national flag omitted the hoe and had a white stripe at the hoist.
Stuart Notholt, 1996 Jun 29

The white stripe one-thirty-sixth of the length of the flag. Source: [bar65]
Mark Sensen, 03 Oct 1998

Zanzibar, after 1964

After Zanzibar merged with Tanganyika on 12 January 1965 to form Tanzania the current Tanzanian flag was adopted (30 June 1964). The Zanzibari flag presumably ceased to be used, although it is possible unofficial usage continued on the island.
Stuart Notholt, 1996 Jun 29

Recently elections were held in Tanzania. In Zanzibar the CUF (main state opposition but de facto Zanzibar independentist party) win the majory but elections were anulled by the state of Tanzania. I found some news about the flag of CUF (unknown to me).

Zanzibar police removing CUF flags and posters
Wednesday, January 26, 2000
By  PST Correspondent, Zanzibar

Police in Zanzibar have launched an operation to remove Civic United Front (CUF) flags and posters in Zanzibar Municipality.
A survey conducted by PST here has revealed that the police operation also including municipal askaris, started last week and has reportedly been succeeding. Policemen armed with firearms and wielding batons supervised the removal of the flags, placards and pictures of CUF leaders in the opposition party's Mji Mkongwe stronghold. Tables and flowers with posters containing praises for the Commonwealth Secretariat brokered political agreement between CUF and CCM in the Isles
were also removed. The operation continued at Mbuyu Taifa area where the municipal crane was used to remove CUF flag hoisted over 15 metre on a baobab tree. The Director of the municipal council, Mr Musa Juma, acknowledged that the
exercise was going on but added that it had nothing political, but aimed at cleaning the town. He added that the posters had been installed without a permit from his office. Stalls at Darajani area were also being demolished, although PST survey has
shown those belonging to ruling party (CCM) youth, popularly called `maskanis' and container-type stalls installed by some businessmen were spared. As a result of the campaign, cheap fried potatoes are not there any more. PST investigation has also found out that life of over 150 families of the petty traders here is clearly uncertain as their bread winners had their stalls demolished. People here are anticipating an increase in the wave of banditry following the demolition of stalls and the existing lack of comprehensive employment strategy in the Isles.
Jaume Ollé, 31 Oct 2000