Island of life (Tanzania, Zanzibar)

The duka , a small, typical Zanzibar neighborhood shop, embodies a local economy that is still largely alive on the archipelago. Between coral stone walls and corrugated iron roofs, these shops offer a handful of basic necessities: rice, soap, tea, snacks, sold individually or by the measure. The spatial organization is minimalist, often reduced to a shelf and a chair, but the social function is essential.

More than just a point of sale, the duka is a place of connection : people exchange village news, wait for the arrival of food, and weave everyday life. These micro-economic spaces bear witness to a system where informality is not an obstacle but a means of resilience. In a globalized world where supermarkets are gaining ground, these shops remain the guardians of a local rhythm , a human connection, and a form of territorial autonomy.