Moments (Tanzania, Zanzibar)

In Zanzibar, some homes still combine Swahili vernacular architecture with contemporary additions. The red corrugated iron roof , typical of tropical areas, protects against intense rain but stores heat. On the wall, the AzamTV dish , Tanzania's satellite television provider, signals the arrival of digital connectivity in rural areas: television, international sports, Indian soap operas, Arabic channels.

The pointed arch openings , set in niches with a geometric edge, are a legacy of the Arab-Swahili style: Omani, Persian, Indian influences, dating back to the trade routes of the 18th century, when Zanzibar became a hub between East Africa, the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean.

On the right, the coconut palm encapsulates the subsistence economy: wood for framing, fibers for rope, leaves for roofing, nuts for food, soap, or artisanal charcoal. In villages, houses often lean against these multifunctional trees, whose shade remains a form of natural air conditioning.

Women, in loincloths or veils, also find spaces for sociability there : people meet there at the end of the day to exchange news, discuss the market or discreetly help each other. Architecture is not just a decor - it structures social ties , particularly in female spheres.