ZANJ

ZANJ is a transformative art project initiated in Zanzibar in early 2023, blending photography, collage, and precious fabrics to explore the profound connection between people and place. By capturing seasonal workers, the Maasai, and children as tribal leaders and royalty linked to their noble heritage, the project celebrates resilience against a backdrop of historical injustices, including slavery and child exploitation.

Zanzibar, once a significant slave market, now faces social challenges, with 97% of its Muslim population experiencing restrictions on women’s rights and limited access to education for children. Many working women are not native to the island, having migrated from mainland Tanzania.

ZANJ advocates for self-determination through education and work, portraying a child in a classroom as a future ‘prince of letters.’ The Maasai, whose lands have been appropriated for tourism, now struggle to sustain their traditional ways of life. Younger generations often leave their villages for tourist destinations, embodying visitors’ expectations in exchange for income. This journey highlights the complexities of returning home altered—more aware and sometimes burdened by guilt.