ZANZIBAR. - British protectorate comprising the island of the same name (1658 sq. km.) and the neighboring island of Pemba (984 sq. km.) off the coast of Tanganyika.
Both are formed of coral formations, of low elevation, and inhabited by Swahili, Arabs and Indians (270,000 inhabitants in all, of whom about 3/7 are in Z.). Pemba and Z. supply 80% of the world production of cloves and clove oil; the export of coconuts, copra and coconut oil, oranges and bananas is also notable. Z. (45,000 inhabitants) is an important coaling station.
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Giuseppe Caraci
THE APOSTOLIC VICARIATE OF ZANZIBAR
It comprises the British protectorate of Z. and the south-eastern part of Kenya.
It is entrusted to the Congregation of the Holy Spirit; it has an area of 96,558 sq. km. and a population of over 1,536,000 inhabitants. Catholics number 75,631, of whom 62,419 are natives, 13,115 foreigners, 117 of mixed race. There are about 100,000 Protestants, 800 Jews, over 390,000 Muslims and over 954,000 pagans. Principal mission stations 34, secondary 94; churches 28, chapels 61, served by 82 foreign priests and 127 nuns, of whom 19 are native; 1 Seminary, 5 hospitals, 20 dispensaries; 5 orphanages; 1 leper asylum; 1 home for the aged; 188 schools. Catholic Action is flourishing (Legion of Mary, Boy Scouts, Guides, etc.).
Vasco da Gama in 1499 took possession of the island of Z. and established there a convent of Augustinians, who, however, seem to have limited themselves to the assistance of Europeans, also creating a residence for the same purpose at Patè and at Mombasa; but they were driven out by the Arabs in 1698.
On 26 Feb. 1860 the prefecture of Zanguebar was erected, entrusted to the bishop of St-Denis, with jurisdiction over the eastern regions of Africa. In 1862 this erection was confirmed, and the aforesaid bishop delegated three priests and then called to collaborate the Fathers of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, who arrived at Z. on 16 June 1863. On 9 Sept. 1873 the prefecture of Zanguebar was detached from St-Denis and entrusted to the Congregation of Z. In 1933 the residence of the apostolic vicar was transferred to Nairobi. The apostolic vicariate of Z. has been, as it were, the mother of all the missions of East Africa. At present it presents a very important field of work; but among the various tribes, especially among the Wakikuyu, there creep the barbarous customs and doctrines of the notorious Mau Mau sect, which only recently has drawn world attention to itself. Here are the aims that the sect sets itself: 1) removal of the Europeans from the colony of Kenya and return of the land to the Kikuyu; 2) non-cooperation with the white man, in every form of relation and assistance; 3) no distinction between the missionaries and the other white people of the region; 4) open hostility to the Catholic Church. A secret oath, founded on the ancient pagan ritual and conducted according to its ceremonies, is imposed on the adherents, in several cases even by force and at night. The members of this secret society, now declared illegal by the government of Kenya, are practically, in the great majority, pagans: a large number of the adherents of the Protestant Kikuyu Church (independent) have taken the oath. Among Catholics the Mau Mau do much harm with intimations and threats of reprisals, but so far in the vicariate of Z. they have not obtained many adherents among the faithful, but rather more in the vicariate of Nyeri. Both Ordinaries, however, have disavowed and condemned the movement.