Ramadan in the Swahili coast

The coast of Tanzania and Kenya is home to an ethnic group called Swahili, who owes a distinct language and culture. This group developed through centuries of mixing between Arabic people, who emigrated from Persia, and the local communities. Hence, their language is a mixture of Arabic and African languages, as well as their appearance and culture. And they still share the Muslim faith.

One of the mosques in Shimoni, at dusk.

 Despite the touristy attractions of the area, the local populations are still pretty conservative in their costumes and habits. For instance, in Mkwiro Island, it is not adequate to show your shoulders and knees and, moreover, girls should cover their head and full legs.

And, of course, they celebrate Ramadan. This is, as most of you already know, a period of about a month consacred to spirituality, during which Muslim people fast during daylight hours. This means that they have to wake up early in the morning and eat and drink as much as they can, because they won’t taste any drink or food until the sun sets in the afternoon.

Opposite to the popular belief, this fasting does not involve a consequent gluttony and massive ingestion of food in the evening. After more or less 12 hours of fasting, the stomach shrinks, which makes you loose the appetite very rapidly. And the banquet is not as lusty as we westerners use to think.

Some of my workmates have decided to join this tradition in solidarity with our local hosts. Most of you know me well, and I am sure you already imagine I am not taking part on this celebration that has still two more weeks to go.

Huge baobab in Shimoni.