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Hamad bin Thuwaini of Zanzibar and British officials
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Hamad bin Thuwaini of Zanzibar and British officials
1890s Hamad bin Thuwaini of Zanzibar and British officials
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Media ID 23440178
Ethnicity Ethnographic Officials Sultan Zanzibar
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures a pivotal moment in the complex history between Zanzibar's indigenous Sultan Hamad bin Thuwaini and British officials during the late 19th century. The image, taken possibly in the 1880s or 1890s, depicts Hamad bin Thuwaini seated on a mat, dressed in traditional ethnic attire, with a group of British officials standing before him. The Sultan, who ruled from 1870 to 1890, was a significant figure in the region's early modern history. The ethnographic and historic significance of this photograph lies in its representation of the intersection of indigenous and colonial power dynamics. Hamad bin Thuwaini, an ethnic Zanzibari Arab, ruled over a diverse population that included Bantu, Persian, Indian, and European communities. His reign was marked by a period of relative peace and prosperity, but it was also a time of increasing European influence. The British, who had long sought to establish a foothold in the region, saw Zanzibar as a strategic prize due to its location on the eastern coast of Africa and its control of the lucrative spice trade. By the late 19th century, the British had become increasingly assertive in their dealings with Hamad bin Thuwaini, demanding greater influence over Zanzibar's foreign policy and economic affairs. This photograph offers a glimpse into the negotiations between the Sultan and the British officials, likely discussing the terms of a treaty or agreement. The formal setting of the photograph underscores the importance of the meeting, while the contrasting attire of the two parties highlights the cultural divide between the indigenous ruler and his European counterparts. The image serves as a powerful reminder of the complex and often contentious relationships between indigenous leaders and colonial powers during the 19th century.
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