Sit local, think global: The Baraza in Zanzibar

Abstract

Although being a major feature of Zanzibar 's everyday life, the
baraza has so far largely escaped attention of academic
discussion. Public or semi-public places where people of a house,
of a neighbourhood or even a larger social configuration meet
to sit and chat, to spend time, drink coffee and discuss politics,
religion, football or other quotidian issues are certainly found
in many societies. Yet, Zanzibar's baraza are so omnipresent
that it is hard to imagine the island without them. At the same
time, baraza life is not easy to grasp. Although there are set
rules of baraza etiquette, they are not a permanent “institution”
but may disappear as quickly as they have come into existence.
This contribution discusses some of the major features of baraza
life and the spatial organization of the baraza, in particular,
and to establish thereby something like a baraza “sociology”.

Journal for Islamic Studies Vol. 27 2007: pp. 16-38