But, it was during the rule of the Sultans, that
Pemba, with its extensive clove plantations and agricultural
base provided the economic foundation for the archipelago's dominance.
As we all are well aware, in Africa
spices have also many other rules. Pemba is renowned for its voodoo and
traditional healers. Even today, people come from throughout East Africa
seeking cures or to learn the skills of the art from practitioners on Pemba.
All the while, the Arab Dhows would
ply the trade winds down from the Arabian Peninsula to East Africa.
With the winds they would take cloves to India, textiles back to the Arab lands
and silver and wood to the Spice Islands.
The Dhows have remained a constant
throughout the history of Pemba and Africa. To this day they ply the run from Wete in
Pemba to Shimoni in Kenya and, when the winds are favorable they plough south
to Northern Mozambique.
But then, the evening comes, and the sea looks like a mirrow and the sky shows all the sweet shades. The shores of Zanzibar on the other side can easily be seen even with dark clouds painting the sky.
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