Weddings in Africa by Justine Lamb © 2008 ISBN 978-0-620-41164-6
Excerpt taken from the Destination Section
Let us now move further East on the African continent towards the United Republic of Tanzania. Off the coast about 35 km from the mainland lie the Islands of Zanzibar. The main two islands of Zanzibar are Zanzibar one looks over the Island and you can see vast stretches of indigenous forest, plantation area the centrally located Stone or Zanzibar Town.
The coast is lined with white sandy beach and the water is so clear and blue that as you fly round you can see the ocean bed below. The highest point on the Islands is no more than 390 metres above sea level. With a population of between 900 and 1 million people let us take a closer look at the history behind what are known as the Spice Islands. For centuries past the Islands of Zanzibar attracted explorers. Sumerians, Egyptians, Assyrians, Indians, Chinese, Portuguese, Persians, Dutch and the English are among many. Of these Shirazi Persians and Omani Arabs decided to stay and rule. As a result the population of Zanzibar is 97% Islamic and 3% Christian, Hindu or Sikh. Arabs sailed from Oman to trade in slaves, ivory and spices. In 1832 Sultan Seyyid Said of the Busaid dynasty in Oman moved his sultante from Muscat to Zanzibar. He and his descendants ruled here for 130 years. The Arab community owned most of the land and did not intermarry with the local Africans. The same cannot be said however for the Shirazi Persians who came from the Middle East as early as AD975 to settle on the African East Coast.
Zanzibar is a poor island, however has a wealth of historical monuments worth visiting where you can note the African, British and Arab influences. The contrast in Zanzibar between the main Town area, Stone Town and the Tourist venues on the Islands are startling. The poverty in the town is heart rendering. Stone Town consists of approximately 2500 buildings all made of coral stone, lime and clay, including 45 Mosques, 2 Christian churches and 4 Hindu halls. The architecture is fascinating and you can almost imagine what it looked like in yesteryear.
Visiting the Slave quarters gives you a compassion for humanity as you stand in the claustrophobic chamber where the slaves crouched toe-to-toe 50 – 70 side by side, listening to the roar of the crashing ocean in hunger.
Delightful artefacts and curios are worth their bargain price and more. I would encourage you to purchase from the little shops in Stone Town that are hidden in little alleyways worth discovering but brace yourself for an eye opener if you have not set foot in rural Africa before.
A bus ride in Zanzibar is not for the faint of heart and if ever to drive their make sure the hooter works because this seems the only means of road rule as vehicles hurtle in their direction and speed of choice. Stopping in the Plantations and walking with the local children and tour guide discovering the spices was an afternoon that will remain with me forever. To tear a strip of cinnamon off a tree while sipping from the milk of a coconut shell and watching long legged chickens speeding through the trees you realise that here there is so much wealth. Here you have poverty in its absolute extreme, a land rich in spices and fresh fruit and a people so humble with children attending to your every need, making grass rings and bags in the hope of a spare dollar.
Something that struck me however even at the Hotel where I stayed, other than a mangled cat and a crow I saw no bird or animal life. Although In Jozani forest about 35kms South East of Zanzibar Town you can see the blue Sykes Monkeys and the red Color bus Monkeys.
Zanzibar is a fascinating and exotic wedding destination. Many beautiful venues look forward to marrying couples on their beaches. Arrive four days before to make time to see the priest who will do the wedding, and organise all your legal documentation.
Make sure you have all your paper work and appointments in order before departure and then enjoy as much time as possible relaxing in the paradise of the Islands. What you will need if travelling to East Africa: When travelling to East Africa you must ensure that you have had a yellow fever inoculation and the relevant certificate, this is valid for ten years and will be asked for at South African Customs on return. This must be obtained at least 10 days prior to departure. It is also recommended that malaria precautions be taken. Inoculations can be acquired at your closest travel clinic. If you hold a South African passport you will be required to obtain a visa. This can be done at the Tanzanian Embassy (see numbers on pages to follow under Embassies). You will need to take with you 2 completed forms and 2 passport photographs.
Usually your Tour Operator can assist you with your Visa application or there are companies that specialise in assisting travellers with Visa and other travel related documentation. Your Tour Operator will also advise you to take out a comprehensive Travel Insurance.
The best time to visit Zanzibar: The rainy season starts in March and July is incredibly windy, calming only towards September thereby leaving October to February as the best times to visit Zanzibar.
Mozambique
Before the Portuguese arrived in Mozambique the ancestors of the Khoisani peoples San hunters and gatherers inhabited it. Bantu-speaking people migrated from the North. Mozambique was under the control of Portugal from the beginning of the 16th century until the 1950’s when the native people started protesting the Portuguese rule. In 1961 Frelimo (Front for the Liberation of Mozambique) rebellion fought a guerrilla war. In 1975 Independence was granted to Mozambique and a Marxist Frelimo government took over. Civil war began in the 1980’s as an attempt to overthrow the Frelimo government.
The war ended in 1992 and in 1994 the first multi party elections were held. It is estimated that about 1 million Mozambicans died during the civil war and 1.7 million took refuge in neighbouring states. These refugees eventually returned and now Mozambique has 10 major ethnic groups, with sub groups and a diversity of languages and dialects. Traditions and culture are equally diverse. The largest groups are the Makua and the Tsonga. (See Tsonga in the South African section for wedding traditions).
Mozambique is a stunning wedding destination with numerous venues to choose. These vary from the romantic and intimate to the family resort. For both wedding and Honeymoons Mozambique is a fabulous choice, diving, snorkelling, Big Game fishing, water sports it has it all. There are the most magnificent Islands off the coast of Mozambique and in a nutshell the whole country beckons the sun seeker, the beach lover and the romantic.
A wedding blessing can be arranged for both South African and International visitors to Mozambique however as of recently legal weddings in Mozambique are for Mozambicans only. Remember the following requirements are necessary for travel to Mozambique. Single entry Visa - this can be acquired at the Mozambique Consulate in Nelspruit or at the Lebombo / Ressano Garcia Border post in Komatipoort (remember waiting at the border can be between half an hour and 3 hours). Passport Stamps are required and Vehicle entry forms will need to be completed. 3rd Party Insurance is Compulsory.
Toll roads accept Cash in Rands, Dollars or Meticias. No foreign coins. If the vehicle has a trailer, boat or caravan a triangle must be displayed on the front bumper. This is considered a separate vehicle and is charged as such. All original papers and License details are checked. Remember to take Malaria Prophylaxis, contact the local Pharmacist or Doctors before departing. It is advisable not to drink the water, take Mineral H20 Always wear your seatbelt and adhere to the speed limits indicated on the road signs. It is not uncommon for Traffic officers to request cash fines upfront.
Namibia
Relics of German occupation can be seen at the Alte Feste in Windhoek, German colonial troops took over Chief Jan Jonkers kraal overlooking Windhoek, and who can blame them for this country on the South Western corner of Africa is surely one of the most colourful, diverse and fascinating.
War and genocide have been the character of the German attempt at creating a colonial empire and a legacy of forts and castles remain throughout the land. Driving with my parents in my youth from Cape Town to Windhoek, and then on to Etosha are three weeks that too remain with me.
With stop overs at Ais-Ais in the Fish River Canyon, Sossusvlei, Walvis Bay, Swakopmund and on to Etosha National Park. Where do I begin to tell you that visiting this land of shadows, rivers of sand and dry waters, diamonds, skeleton and fog haunted coasts with its rock art, crafts and culture, harbours, mining towns and desert creatures is just an awesome experience and a land that you simply must discover, explore and enjoy.
Racing to the Honeymoon to be at this destination, consider a wedding in the Dunes, there are fabulously organized venues and service providers that can put up Bedouin or marquee tents. Imagine a small sand coloured tent set up for 20 of your closest loved ones, white cloth adorned tables, palm fronds swaying in the yellow desert, champagne and great food to go, after your ceremony or blessing. Please invite me I will be there!
After the wedding you must head to the far North and visit Etosha National Park the place of mirages or Land of dry water, this great white pan is the remains of a prehistoric inland sea, it is 130 km from East to West and runs 72 km from North to South. I can still see the Flamingos that were drinking from the glistening low waters on the pan at the time we were there and then having the absolute pleasure of watching the flight of the flamingo’s as they lifted from the pan in a sheet of sheer pink.
There are so many stories to tell and places to visit in Namibia I am certain the San hunters could have kept us entranced for days.
We must however move across to the place where the rivers intersect and enmity has long ruled. Crossing over the Caprivi Strip (by 4 x 4) mind you, we arrive at the country nestled between Namibia in the West, South Africa and Zambia in the North and Zimbabwe in the East. We enter the home of the Okavango Delta, Botswana.
We must not forget there are Island lodges on the Caprivi and surrounds that offer a welcome oasis of 5 star luxuries along the way. Before I go ahead and tell you about the infamous Okavango delta, and the Tuli block I would suggest that Botswana be considered as a Honeymoon destination or a venue for a wedding blessing.
Legal weddings are of course possible but in the main towns and these will likely be some distance from your venue of choice. Tuli block is in the Eastern part of Botswana and it lies between the Limpopo and the Shashe rivers. You can find some of Africa’s most stunning private game reserves in this area. There is an abundance of wildlife, which roams within this combination of open plains, jagged hills and Mopane woodland.
The best time to visit the Delta is in April / May / August & September which is when the climate is at its best. However bird lovers should visit between October and January when the migrants from the Northern hemisphere arrive at the Delta. Access to the Delta is usually by safari boat or light aircraft from Maun or Kasane, but there are guides who do self drive guided safaris from South Africa. The AA guide places to visit in Southern Africa - describes the delta as follows and I quote it as I cannot capture it in better words than these – “The huge Okavango delta is a natural fairyland of a thousand islands in a thousand streams, born of great rivers determination to reach the sea” (pg 408)
The Okavango delta is the finest wetland with over 1000 plant species. And is the perfect destination for bird lovers and sporting anglers. Tiger fish and Bream are among those on the top of the list by Anglers and the rare raptor the Pel’s fishing Owl. Do not forget about the Chobe National Park, the Central Kalahari Game reserve, the Aha hills, the Gemsbok National park, GCWHaba Caverns, Moremi Game reserve, Khutse Game reserve, Mabuasehube Game reserve the Makgadigadi region or the Tsodili Hills as these are all part of the experience that is Botswana.
Published as an e-book May 2008,Justine Lamb © 2008 ISBN 978-0-620-41164-6