Tippu Tip's House Explained

Tippu Tip's House
Location:Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Map Type:Tanzania
Pushpin Label:Tippu Tip's House
Coordinates:-6.164°N 39.187°W

Tippu Tip's House is a historical building in Stone Town, Zanzibar, located in Suicide Alley in the Shangani ward[1] near the Africa House Hotel and Serena Inn, about 15–25 minute walking time from the Old Fort and Forodhani Gardens. It is the house where the powerful merchant and slave trader Tippu Tip (1837–1905) lived. The building was a private residence until the Zanzibar Revolution and was later converted into a block of flats.

Despite being a tourist attraction, it is not formally open to visitors, and it is in such a state of decay that it has been described as "the most magnificent squat in all of Africa".[2] The large decorated carved wooden door, as well as the black and white marble steps,[3] still testify the great wealth of the historical owner of the house.

References

  1. See map in Keith Bain et al., Frommer's Kenya and Tanzania, Frommer 2009, p. 345
  2. Chris McIntyre and Susan McIntyre, Zanzibar, Bradt Travel Guides 2009, p. 171
  3. J. Finke, The Rough Guide to Zanzibar, Rough Guides 2002, p. 71