Basic Ramadan Etiquette on Zanzibar During Ramadan
If you are travelling to Zanzibar during Ramadan celebration you should know some do’ s and don’ts. We have compiled the most important hints for those who previously have not been on Zanzibar during the Ramadan period.
Ramadan dates:
- 6 May – 4 June 2019
- 24 April – 23 May 2020
99 percent of Zanzibar population is Muslim, therefore the celebration of Ramadan is big deal and travellers have to understand and respect the Ramadan etiquette.
Ramadan marks the revelation of Quran by Allah to Prophet Mohammed and during Ramadan Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset for full thirty days. Fasting means refraining from drinking, eating, smoking, arguing, sex and cursing. For Muslims is much more than just fasting and refraining, it is time for spiritual reflection, prayer, for charity and humanity.
Ramadan Etiquette on Zanzibar
1.Don’t Eat, Drink or Smoke in Public During the Day
Don’t eat, drink or smoke in public during the Ramadan. It’s not against the law to eat in public, but it is considered impolite, while so many people are fasting.
Restaurants During Ramadan on Zanzibar
Some Muslim owned restaurants are completely closed during Ramadan on Zanzibar, while other restaurants respect the day fasting time and close the terrace and patios for serving food and drinks outside. (Monsoon restaurant for example serves only inside)
Some restaurants are closed only during Ramadan daytime and not serving alcohol on general. To name a few:
- Passing Show Restaurant,
- Clove Garden,
- Dolphin Restaurant,
- Archipelago Café and Restaurant.
Many restaurants in Stone Town are closed during the day (not all, but for sure restaurants, run by Muslim owners while most resorts on the beach are excluded).While on the beach during Ramadan on Zanzibar you will probably not notice any difference. Private hotels and resorts will serve alcoholic drinks and meals. But you will be reminded to follow Ramadan etiquette if you leave hotel property.
Don’t panic there are plenty of restaurants left open in Stone Town, just go around the town and you will find a nice place to eat. Indian Vegan restaurant Radha House, Stone Town Café, Livingstone Café, Traveler’s Café, Mercury’s are just few of many restaurants that keep operating normally despite Ramadan on Zanzibar.
Also Forodhani Gardens are quiet during the day, but in after the sunset this famous food market gets lively and food is ready for sale.
2. Greet With Ramadan Greetings
It is common to use Ramadan greeting when greeting Muslim people. For the time of Ramadan use greeting »Ramadan Kareem« greeting while the last three days during Eid celebrations greet »Eid Mubarak«. It is great thing to at least learn some Swahili basics!
If you are going on the beach, don’t worry. Within resorts and hotels you will enjoy as usual, but you will be warned if you leave the resort to respect the Ramadan etiquette.
3. Dress Appropriately
Modest dress code should not apply only during Ramadan on Zanzibar, but also on general. Women should cover shoulders with scarf or wearing 3/ 4 sleeved tops and wear at least knee high skirts or long trousers. Men should wear long trousers too. Covering head is not expected from female travellers.
4. Don’t Kiss and Publicly Display Affection
Public displays of affection on Zanzibar during Ramadan should be kept to a minimum with Ramdan or not. Holding hands is acceptable, but nothing more unless you are somewhere more private or secluded.
5. Have a Siku Kuu Dinner
Siku kuu in Swahili, means Eid al – Fitr Dinner. Eid al – Fitr means Feast of breaking the fast. Eid lasts three days and marks the end of Ramadan. During this time people spend the time together, having big dinners with family and friends. In case you are invited to Siku kuu dinner, kindly accept the invitation and show up with small thank you gift – fruits or sweets will be ok. In case you are just an ordinary tourist on Zanzibar with no local friends, go for Eid al- FItr dinner to hotel. Hotels on Zanzibar at this time offer festive dinners. It would be a huge culinary miss not to try it out.
There Are Some Other Things to Keep in Mind While Visiting Zanzibar Regardless of Ramadan
- Topless sunbathing is not allowed!
- Homosexuality on Zanzibar is illegal.
- Taking photographs of locals without prior permission like everywhere in the world is not only rude and shows disrespect – ASK before taking photos of people – some locals may ask for payment.
- Don’t enter mosques on your own without prior permission from someone in charge. Many mosques do not allow non Muslims to enter.
- Some hotels usually run by Muslims will not sell or allow alcohol consumption on the property; as well it will not be served. Respect this if you are staying in a hotel that not allows alcohol! This mostly not applies for tourist resorts. Hotels not serving alcohol in Stone Town are Zenji Hotel, Tembo House, Dhow palace Hotel.
This is all good stuff to know. These are things I take for granted and wouldn’t have thought twice about such as eating during the day. Thanks for the tips.
You can eat during the day, just not in pubic.
Thanks for this post – I wasn’t actually aware that Zanziba was a predominantly Muslim destination, so this is great to keep in mind for when we plan our next trip. I made the mistake of hitting up Dubai during Ramadan on my trip through the middle east – it was still a fabulous trip, but it was difficult to find food, and a lot of attractions were closed. So always a good thing to keep in mind!!
These rules specially apply for Stone Town, resorts are closed properties and there is no feeling ramadan is going on.You can eat and drink.
Great tips to respect other cultures while travelling! Although my friends have told me that fasting can be difficult, the Siku Kuu is the perfect pick-everyone-up after! 🙂
I have also been told about fasting being difficult, children dont need to fast while adults are quite strict.
Thanks for the tips – I would probably get in trouble for doing all of these things incorrectly. It’s rather impressive how dedicated people are. I don’t think I could last with these restrictions for that long a time.
Its a religious thing and i think if you are brought up with this philosophy and mentality, its totally normal.
Thanks so much for writing this post! I’m Muslim and have traveled to Muslim countries during Ramadan. it is definitely frustrating when tourists blatantly disrespect the customs during Ramadan (although I’m sure it’s often due to lack of awareness). Thanks for providing such a comprehensive guide!
Same opinion here, thats why this post is written:D
This was really informative and educational! I didn’t know most of this! Thanks for sharing this with us! 🙂
Thanks Natasha!:)
Great tips! It’s important to respect the customs and culture of the country you’re visiting. Eating in public would be very unfair to those observing Ramadam
I agree, i have huge respect for all who take ramadan seriously, they dont even drink water.
This is great information. I met many Muslim student sin college who shared their traditions with me and invited me to participate in their Ramadan fasting. It was an eye opening experience. Such devotion. It must be really challenging to travel there during this time, but thanks for doing the leg work to find out what is available for those of us not fasting!
The easiest way is to stick to resorts if want to avoid ramadan experience.
Being a “Muslim”, now I know exactly where NOT to travel during Ramadan. My mom usually tells me not to travel during this month but its the month I want to travel so I don’t have to fast. But it’s good you are sharing tips and guides on this…out of respect for the culture and country.
Personally, I think it is all ridiculous.
Thank you for sharing these tips– even the basic tips for any travel to Zanzibar any time of the year were very helpful. On the one hand, I’m curious to experience Ramadan to some degree, on the other, I’d be concerned about offending in some way. There are so many things that I wouldn’t have thought twice about before reading this (like eating in public, or public displays of affection when traveling with my boyfriend).
Its not that hard as it may sound, but people treat you differently when they see you are familiar with their culture and try to respect it.
Are government businesses or general businesses closed during this time or is it business as usual?
I dont know.
Muslims are expected to carry out most normal responsibilities during Ramadan, so generally government offices in Muslim countries are open, but for shorter/earlier hours in some cases. Some places might be short staffed if workers are taking time off to prepare for the large number of visits they usually get from extended family. Don’t expect things to get done as quickly, even if offices are open during Ramadan–just like for Christmas in the West.
I agree with Christmas comparison!