Contradictions in the Heritagization of Zanzibar ‘Stone Town’

Zanzibar's Stone Town embodies complex contradictions in its heritagization process. While it reflects Swahili roots and cosmopolitan influences from the Indian Ocean, British colonialism introduced divisions that persist today. The 1964 Zanzibar Revolution further reshaped the urban landscape through nationalization, raising questions about whose heritage should be preserved and what criteria define 'Outstanding Universal Value.' This study highlights the tensions between conservation efforts and social transformations, challenging UNESCO's universalist approach.

Sheriff, A. (2019). Contradictions in the Heritagization of Zanzibar ‘Stone Town’. Travelling Pasts: The Politics of Cultural Heritage in the Indian Ocean World, 221–245. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004402713_011