Conventional history assumes that the rise of the steamship trade killed off the Indian ocean dhow trade in the twentieth century. This study argues that the dhow economy played a major role in shaping the economic and social lifeof colonial Zanzibar.
Dhows and the regional trade they fostered allowed a class of indigenous entrepreneurs to thrive in Zanzibar. These entrepreneurs, whose economic interests stretched across continents and colonial boundaries, were able to thwart or shape many of the colonial state's pet projects. Not only did steamships fail to drive out indigenous sailing craft, but in some cases dhows were able to drive the steamer out of specific market niches.
North America: Ohio U Press; Tanzania: Zanzibar Gallery
- ISBN10 0852554850
- ISBN13 9780852554852
- Publish Date 22 July 2004
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country GB
- Imprint James Currey
- Format Paperback (US Trade)
- Pages 190
- Language English