The Baloch Identity Trace in Zanzibar

Abstract

One of the most significant features of Iranian society is immigrating of Iranian tribes to nearby and also to distant lands which, in different historical eras, has proved quite helpful in spreading great cultural achievements to overseas. Immigrating of Baloch people to Zanzibar, a Tanzanian archipelago off the coast of East Africa, and the critical role it plays in establishment of a Baloch community in some parts of countries such as Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and democratic Congo, have created friendly relationships among these differing communities without causing any biased discrimination against the Muslim inhabitants of these countries. This has led to remarkable consequences which will be discussed in this article. In fact, the writer will not only discuss about the reasons why such immigration happened and how those Baloch people from Iran (and Oman) have established a community in Zanzibar, but also he will trace the Baloch people’s general conditions in this island since more than 350 years ago up to the present time. In addition, the article will investigate into their role in distribution of different aspects of Iran’s civilization and culture in Zanzibar based on current documents.

Keywords

• baloch
• balochistan
• iran
• zanzibar
• national identity