Eid Sikuku – Day One

Saturday was the first of a 4 day Eid celebration (sikuku) in Zanzibar. Most other places only have a 1-2 day celebration. It is a celebration of the return of family and friends from the pilgrimage to Mecca. I could have never expected the celebration that was to come.


To prepare everyone has been cooking, getting new outfits to dress up, their hair done and henna painting.

I arrive in town on Saturday to meet my friend at her home. It took awhile to arrive since every daladala (local transport) was filled with people heading to town.

Upon arrival, I watched children travel house to house to receive gifts of money and visit family friends and relatives. There was a stream of children stopping by to see my new friend’s mother.

Some people were out singing to receive gifts of money.

We then went to visit several of my friend’s relatives. We snacked on different types of cakes that had been baked and had a large lunch. I brought banana bread cupcakes to share.

Then in the evening we headed back out to town. People transformed from their conservative daytime outfits into evening dresses or slim pants. Everyone seems to be out and about even if they are not going anywhere. While waiting for our ride I was chatting with this family. They said they were spending the evening posing—so I figured I had to take a picture of their pose.

On night one we went to the Children’s’ Party. It was held at a hotel. Older siblings bring their younger relatives for a night filled with dancing, food and toys.

So very different from village life. Apologies, the flash settings on my camera are not working.