The Blue Song of the Trees (Tanzania, Zanzibar)

In Zanzibar, you can see blue bottles hanging from trees, both on the beaches and in the heart of villages.

Their presence is intriguing. According to locals, they now serve to signify membership in the blue economy —a model of sustainable development based on the development of marine resources.

But this practice also draws on older beliefs : in several East African cultures, colored bottles hung from trees are used to ward off evil spirits or protect a living space .

In Zanzibar, these hanging objects form an ambivalent language, between a display of contemporary commitment and a discreet spiritual heritage .