Zanzibar's Forgotten Indian Ocean Pearl Fisheries

Before Zanzibar became synonymous with cloves, its waters hid a different treasure: pearls. In this episode, Lucas and Luna dive into the Indian Ocean pearl banks off the Zanzibar archipelago and the Swahili coast, exploring a centuries-old industry that predates the clove boom. They discuss the expertise of Swahili and Arab divers, the dangerous free-diving techniques passed down through generations, and the role of Indian financiers like the Bhatia and Khoja merchants who traded pearls for silver. They examine the decline of the pearl fisheries due to overfishing, competition from cultured pearls in the early 20th century, and the devastating impact of the 1872 hurricane on the pearl beds. Along the way, they touch on the myth of the 'Zanzibar pearl' in medieval Arab geographies, the ties between pearl diving and the slave trade, and the forgotten names of Swahili divers who risked their lives for a single oyster. A fascinating look at an overlooked strand of Zanzibar's Indian Ocean economy. #ZanzibarPearls #IndianOceanPearlFisheries #SwahiliCoast #PearlDiving #BhatiaMerchants #KhojaTraders #ArabDivers #CloveBoom #1872Hurricane #CulturedPearls #Overfishing #MariaTheresaThaler #StoneTown #Unguja #Pemba #SlaveTrade #MaritimeHistory #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo