Manga Pwani Slave Chamber

Manga Pwani Slave Chamber & Slave Cave Tour

A Deep Dive into Zanzibar’s Slave Trade History

Manga Pwani, located on the northeastern coast of Zanzibar, is home to two significant historical sites: Manga Pwani Slave Chamber and Manga Pwani Slave Cave. These sites serve as a reminder of the painful history of the East African slave trade and the struggles of those who suffered through it.

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Manga Pwani Slave Chamber: Who Built It and Why?

The Manga Pwani Slave Chamber was built in the early 19th century by Arab slave traders, during the time when Zanzibar was under the rule of the Sultan of Oman. It was designed as a secret holding facility where enslaved people were kept before being transported to ships and sent to markets in the Middle East, India, and beyond.

The chamber was constructed underground to keep the captives hidden from European abolitionists and British naval forces, who were actively working to end the slave trade. It had narrow, dark rooms where men, women, and children were locked up in harsh conditions, waiting for their fate. Many died due to suffocation, starvation, and abuse before even reaching the slave markets.

Today, this chamber stands as a historical landmark, teaching visitors about the hidden truths of the past and the struggles faced by those enslaved.

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Manga Pwani Slave Cave: The Story of Its Discovery

The Manga Pwani Slave Cave has an interesting discovery story. According to local history, the cave was first discovered by a goat herder named Mzee Mosi in the early 20th century.

The Legend of Mzee Mosi

Mzee Mosi, a local shepherd, was grazing his goats when one of them fell into a hole. As he tried to rescue his goat, he stumbled upon a hidden cave. Inside, he found chains, shackles, and human bones, which made him realize that this was not just an ordinary cave but a place where enslaved people were once kept.

Some oral traditions, however, suggest that the cave was known to a few Arab traders before Mzee Mosi, but his discovery brought the cave to public attention. Historians believe that this cave was used as a temporary hiding place for slaves before they were transported to the slave markets. Unlike the underground chamber, this natural cave provided a discreet location where traders could avoid the growing anti-slavery efforts of the British.

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Which Story is the Most Reliable?

Both stories hold historical value, but the Manga Pwani Slave Chamber has stronger evidence and historical documentation. The chamber was built by Arab traders, and its purpose is well-recorded in historical texts.

The Mzee Mosi story about the Slave Cave is largely based on oral tradition, meaning there is no official historical document confirming that he was the first to discover it. However, the discovery of shackles and bones in the cave suggests that it was indeed used during the slave trade.

When you visit, you will hear both stories, but the Slave Chamber’s history is the most verified and widely accepted by historians.

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Tour Details

📍 Location: Manga Pwani, Zanzibar

🕒 Tour Duration: 2-3 hours

🎟️ Entrance Fee:

Slave Chamber: $10 per person

Slave Cave: $10 per person

Full Tour (both sites + guide): Starting from $35 per person (includes tax and guide fees)

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What to Bring?

✔️ Comfortable walking shoes