Colonialism, heritage and conservation
Zanzibari perceptions of the collapse of the House of Wonders
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 2182714 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Sarah Longair (0000-0001-6659-7725, University of Lincoln, corresponding author), Fatma Said (0000-0001-7338-5587, State University of Zanzibar), Wynne-Jone (0000-0002-3005-8647, University of York) |
| Year | 2023 |
| Volume | 17 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 594-614 |
| Publication date | 2023-10-02 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Eastern African Studies (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1753-1055 • E-ISSN: 1753-1063 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/17531055.2023.2295188 |
| OpenAlex | W4390739807 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 37 |
The House of Wonders (or Beit al-Ajaib), one of the iconic buildings of Zanzibar's waterfront, partially collapsed on 25th December 2020. This catastrophic incident, which included the famous clocktower, killed two people who had been inside the building and injured several others. The House of Wonders has prompted fascination and admiration since its construction as part of a redevelopment of Zanzibar's waterfront by Sultan Barghash in 1883. Its collapse attracted worldwide media attention. This article explores the dynamics of history and heritage in Zanzibar, using the collapse of the House of Wonders as the catalyst for analysing the ways that Zanzibaris feel about the presentation of the past. The research involved a series of interviews with residents of Stone Town in which participants discussed the collapse of the House of Wonders and themes of history, identity and tourism. Our project reveals the layered associations with the House of Wonders, one which acknowledges the building's Omani origins and colonial use but simultaneously its centrality as an icon of Zanzibar. The article also discusses what these findings about the House of Wonders reveal about the complex relationship between perceptions of Zanzibari cultural heritage and the role of tourism
Admiration · Archaeology · Art · Colonialism · Sociology · Tourism · Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation · Global Maritime and Colonial Histories · History · Travel Writing and Literature
The Heritage Crusade and the Spoils of History
World Heritage and Cultural Economics
Cultural heritage that heals
War of Words, War of Stones
Challenges Facing the Conservation of Historic Buildings Through Local Eyes
The Zanzibar Revolution and Its Aftermath
Capitalism and Cloves
Zanzibar
Swahili Port Cities
Political Tensions in Zanzibar
Travelling Pasts
Colors of Stone Town in Zanzibar
Cracks in the Dome
Constructing the Future History
Domesticating the World
Slaves, Spices and Ivory in Zanzibar
Heritage Values and the Public
Wrestling with the Social Value of Heritage
Casting a long shadow
The state and identity politics in Zanzibar
The History and Conservation of Zanzibar Stone Town
Tourism-Related Migration in Zanzibar, Tanzania
Affective politics and colonial heritage, Rhodes Must Fall at UCT and Oxford
Post-Conflict reconstruction, forced migration & community engagement
The History and Conservation of Zanzibar Stone Town
Engaging Colonial Nostalgia
Unesco's World Heritage Convention at 40
Tourist Aesthetics in the Global Flow
| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0.5 |
| Citation span | 2024 - 2024 (1) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |