This year I joined one of Zanzibar’s oldest traditional festivals called Mwaka Kogwa, which marks the Persian New Year according to the Shirazi (Iran) Calendar. Shirazis from Persia are said to be the first foreigners who settled in Zanzibar and some of their customs and cultural traditions were absorbed by the Swahili people and given a local context. Mwaka Kogwa is best observed in Makunduchi, a village in the south of Zanzibar and offers a unique platform for Zanzibaris to address past grievances and release their anger so that they can start the new year with a sense of peace and harmony. The first day of the 4-Day festival is marked by chanting, drumming and an opening battle with banana stems. What looks like a wild chaotic fight without rules is actually a ritual physical combat between men of the North and South of Zanzibar, regulated by a number of loose rules, which are normally observed by the participants of this battle without the need for a referee. For example, raising both hands or throwing down your sticks is a clear sign of surrender. The battle was absolutely wild and since the people of Zanzibar are one of the most conservative and peaceful people I know, I was shocked to see them fighting, seeing Men dressed as women & hearing the elderly women chanting very sexual songs. They believe that there would be no future conflicts in the town in the coming year since everyone had his/her chance to fight, insult and release any negative feelings during Mwaka Kogwa. When the physical combat is over a ritual hut will be set on fire by a spiritual healer. As the hut burns, predictions for the New Year are made based on the smoke patterns. The fire is lit amid magic recitations that invoke happiness and well-being for the village in the coming year. The celebrations continue throughout the night with Taarab music, dancing, drumming and the enjoyment of Swahili cuisine. This was one of my best experiences in Zanzibar 🙌🏾 Plan your trip to Zanzibar around the month of July. Who you coming with? #zanzibar #culture #tourism #mwakakogwa #thepurge #blackpassportstamps #blacktravelfeed #travelbucketlist #travelnoire - @planbacktoafrica