|
Tanganyika - Z`bar interdepedency has helped strengthen Union
2007-04-27 08:41:45
By Mwaka Nakasula
The name Tanzania draws its historical identity from the names Tanganyika and Zanzibar.
The Union between the semi autonomous Island of Zanzibar and mainland Tanzania was formed in 1964 following an agreement between the founding fathers of the two intertwined nation`s late presidents Julius Nyerere and Amani Abedi Karume.
An important part of the principal of the union has been to maintain the internal autonomy of Zanzibar in order to protect the islands` identity.
At the moment there are several working committees, which have been mandated to ensure smooth running of both internal and external affairs of the two nations.
These include the defence, home security as well as several other committees.
Despite the existence of this very important aspect of the union the issue of external relations with the mainland is still maintained on a very strong level.
However, there are some important sectors of the Zanzibar economy that are completely autonomous.
These include important government organs such as judiciary, parliament, legislature and local government.
Others vital sectors of the economy such as health and education continue to be semi autonomous.
The various laws enshrined in the constitution closely guard all aspects of the union.
The spice Islands of Zanzibar continues to enjoy a tremendous level of social and economic relations with mainland Tanzania.
The formation of the union between the two has improved the level of technical and cultural advancement on the Isles.
Liberalisation and free market policies currently in place have helped improve inter cultural relations between the two countries.
A common sight in the commercial heart of the Island reveals the presence of a wide variety of items some of which are imported from the mainland.
The list includes clothing, cosmetics and electronic items, this is among the few but many economic benefits of the union.
There is also a free flow of information from media institutions from both the Island and the mainland ensuring that both parties are well informed of the latest political and economic developments.
The tourism industry which provides employment for more than 6,000 workers has also brought tremendous employment opportunities for those in the industry.
The Island has a large number of both high class and low class hotels which provide unlimited potential for qualified personnel in the industry.
On the other land the sector on the mainland has also provided employment opportunities for Zanzibaris.
This is not only limited to the tourism sector but to other sectors of the economy which include education.
The commercial sector on the mainland has created immense trading opportunities for businessmen based on the Isles.
Traders from the Island bring in all sorts of products such as cloves and spices such as black pepper and cardamon for sale on the mainland.
Technological advancement on the Island is developing at a fast pace partly due to liberalisation policies currently in place.
This has improved the level of communication between the Island and the mainland further improving the level of economic trade between the two countries.
Though the island of Zanzibar has a very fragile culture certain cultural influences from the mainland have been adopted.
Trading bazaars are stocked with the latest fashion trends which include the traditional batiks and vitenges.
There appears to be a shift in culture from the traditional religious attire to much more fashionable trends.
The only difference is the fact that fashion trends that could be regarded as offensive have not had an impact on the manner in which Zanzibari women dress.
On the other hand fashion trends of Arabic origin, perfumes and cosmetics have also been well adopted on the mainland.
Abdul Shariff a trader operating in Kariokoo says head scarf as well as dira or traditional long dresses imported from Zanzibar have proved to be a big hit among the Mainland women, especially those of Islamic religious inclination.
`They sell very fast such that I have to travel to Zanzibar almost every week in order to sustain the demand.
I normally buy them at a whole price of 7,000/- and later resell them for 10,000/-,` he reveals.
Taarab music which has a heavy influence on the sles has also managed to find its way on the Mainland attracting a heavy following of listeners to as far as Zambia, Congo, Rwanda and Burundi.
Adaptation to certain foods on the Mainland such as urotho, mkate wa ufuta from the island of Pemba as a result of inter cultural mingling of people from both countries has increased.
While the Mainland is highly dependant on the Isles for its produces such as spices and plantains, the isles is also dependant on the mainland for the supply of food stuffs such as rice, tomatoes, potatoes, chicken, timber and a host of other essential goods.
Salum Salum a food trader says most of his products are sourced from the mainland.
This has contributed to the relatively high prices of food stuffs due to transportation costs on part of the latter.
This relatively high level of co-dependence has helped strengthen the union in many respects.
From the spice islands also comes biriyani which is a most loved delicacy on the mainland.
Such are among the many benefits that have come about as a result of the cordial political, social and economic relations between mainland Tanzania and the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba.
|
