At the time when Zanzibar had become a major destination for the maritime trading routes along the East African coast, the Arabian dhows had been essential in transporting goods to and from the Middle East.
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| Model of an Omani dhow |
Oman played a major role in this trade. Firstly, because the Omani expertise in the art of shipbuilding and navigation was well stablished. So, at an early stage, the Omani merchants operated a trading business based on incense, spices but also slavery.
By the end of the 16thcentury, some merchant families started to
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| Palace courtyard |
open branch offices in Stone Town, in Zanzibar. As a matter of fact, Zanzibar became the official residence of the Sultan of Oman in the 19thcentury.
Today, the Dhow Palace is a wonderful boutique hotel, which has become a museum showcasing the rich merchants' way of life in East Africa.
The Dhow Palace used to be the family mansion of a rich merchant, Sheikh bin Mujbia. His descendants lived there for three centuries until the mansion was sold. It became a hotel in 2005.
Th hotel manager kindly invited me to visit the premises and to take photos of the wonderful art and furniture collection that reflects the art of living in this part of the world in the past.
Christian Sorand
The Dhow Palace official website
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| Lounge near the entrance |
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| Oriental niche |
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| Antique Omani trunk with an old gramophone |
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| An unusual sofa |
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| Hall furnished with antiques |
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| A brief history of Dhow Palace |
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| A courtyard with a fountain |
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| Front close-up of an old trunk |
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