IB/Aga Khan Project in Zanzibar

The Indian Ocean has a history of connecting cultures from Africa, the Middle East, Asia, the Indian Ocean islands, along with Europe, through trade and exchange. Some of this has been brutal and dehumanising, notably the slave trade. Not all exchanges have resulted in the loss of liberty and life and one of the aspects that struck me quite strongly during the experience in Zanzibar was the magic of music to connect peoples.

Indian Ocean ...

During the Tuesday evening of the field experience we met a group of people who had been chosen to talk to us about Zanzibar history and culture. Two of these individuals had particular connections with music: Yusuf Mahmoud, organiser of the Sauti za Busara (Sounds of Wisdom) international festival celebrating East African music (www.busaramusic.org), and Hilda Kiel, one of the founders of the Dhow Countries Music Academy, a not-for-profit music school in Stone Town (www.zanzibarmusic.org).

The aim of the Sauti za Busara festival is to showcase music from the Swahili region specifically and the African continent generally, as well as a smaller number of artists from further afield. Yusuf presented a short film about the festival, which showed the energy and passion of those involved and the clear enjoyment of the crowds. It seemed clear from what he told us that this festival is drawing many peoples together from various parts of the world.

The Dhow Countries Music Academy specialises in teaching the traditional music from that region and serves several purposes: providing music for enjoyment, education and employment. We had the pleasure of visiting the Academy on the Wednesday afternoon and experiencing the rehearsals of one of the ensembles, with some dancing! Definitely my highlight of the trip.

Ensemble rehearsing at the Dhow Countries Music Academy

On the Wednesday evening we had a very special musical experience when we visited the Maulidi Ya Homu rehearsal, which I think originates as a meditative tradition in Islam. This was a mesmerising performance that took place in a courtyard in the sidestreets of Stone Town; very subtle and almost sensual where the singers move and chant and fall into trance. We watched along with the local community and small children joined in with the graceful movements. A far better description of the performance than I could write can be found at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7646108.stm.

Maulidi Ya Homu rehearsal

Each afternoon we walked from our hotel to the AKDN office located in a restored historic building, the Old Dispensary, opposite the port. The journey took us by key landmarks in the restoration of Stone Town such as Forodhani Park, the fort and water front. The sights and sounds of the port and nearby public open spaces such as Banyan Tree Square provided an authentic and exciting backdrop for our collaboration.

PYP team considers a central idea for a planner

MYP team reflects on a unit question

At one time Zanzibar supplied 90% of the world’s cloves and is home to many spice plantations.  Spices  are vital to the economy and culture of Zanzibar.  We had the opportunity to visit a farm to learn more about the farming, harvesting and distribution of spices.  Our knowledgeable guides introduced us to the raw forms of cloves, cinnamon, ginger, lemon grass, cardamom, nutmeg, vanilla and other spices which offered a unique and sensory experience.  Consequently, our curriculum conversations were spiced with ideas from our visit… 

Spice girls: Kirsten, Monique, Mshai, Christine and Suzanne

After learning about the old Stone town from a local artist and historian, John Baptist da Silva, the team met at the AKDN office to discuss their units of work and planners. PYP and MYP teachers were paired up to talk about the areas in their planning which they would like to enhance during this field work in Zanzibar.

The session also gave each participants an understanding of the similarities and differences with regard to planning a unit in PYP and MYP.

Ali and Daphne discuss their planners.

Martime collaboration...

By Sunday, all the participants arrived and we had our first evening session.  We reviewed the scope of the project, expectations for our curriculum work and the cultural activity program arranged by the AKDN.  Before getting down to business, the early arrivals had a chance to visit Mangapwany Beach for their first bonding session and swim in the Indian Ocean.  Ruth and Mary from the Aga Khan Academy in Mombasa take a moment to reflect!