Day 01
Tumbatu Island Cultural and Spiritual Discovery
- Meet your tour guide at the agreed-upon location in Zanzibar and begin your journey to Tumbatu Island. This beautiful island, the archipelago's third-largest, is home to a population of around 20,000 people. Famous for its witch doctors, Tumbatu is isolated from the rest of Zanzibar by reef rocks and corals. Its two villages, Jongowe and Gomani, permit no cars, and villagers use the island's only road on foot, while most travel is done by boat. Tumbatu is also an archaeological site dating back to the 11th century. The largest mosque lies near the village of Mkokotoni on Unguja, the main island. Migration contributed to the development of local black magic traditions, based on the movement of sand and incorporating verses from the Quran and other poetry. This reflects the deep religious and spiritual nature of the island's culture.
- Experience the traditions and cultural practices of voodoo and witchcraft during your visit to this mysterious island. A witch doctor will diagnose problems and prescribe remedies. Using traditional charms and essences, he will call the voodoo spirits. Visits to the island are only possible with permission from the elders of Watumbatu, Tumbatu's community. With permission granted, the tour takes you by boat from Nungwi, where the "Sheha" - the village elder - will welcome you. The magic man, known as the "Mganga," performs the "pururu" ceremony, telling your future in the sand and reading your signs.
