August 12, 2018 BBC News Africa *Pemba, part of the Tanzanian archipelago of Zanzibar, recently held a week-long festival that revealed cultural influences dating back to the 16th Century when Portugal colonised the Spice Islands, writes Catherine Tilke.* [image: Participants performing a martial arts dance]Image copyrightCATHERINE TILKE One of the highlights of the Pemba Bonanza Festival is "the kirumbizi", a dance-cum-martial art, which has its origins in guerrilla training against Portuguese rule. Portugal colonised parts of the East African coast in the early 1500s - and Zanzibar remained part of its empire for about 200 years. Khamis Ali Juma, from the Pemba museum, says Pujini village - where the festival was mainly held - was one of the first areas to be settled by the Portuguese. [image: Men and women line up and take turns to 'fight' with batons while a band plays folk music]Image copyrightCATHERINE TILKE Women also take part in kirumbizi fights, which involve the use of batons with musicians accompanying the contestants. Shoka Hamad, one of the event organisers, says that the game is a battle of strength and endurance. "When you step into the ring, you take on challengers until you feel tired - the winner is the person who shows the most endurance," he says. "The aim isn't to hit or hurt your opponent, but show off your speed and agility. It's possible that players might get hit, but this isn't the objective of the dance." Bulls also feature prominently in the festival. [image: Bullfighting]Image copyrightCATHERINE TILKE Bullfighting was introduced by the Portuguese, but it differs from the Spanish version as the aim is not to kill the animal, but to tire it out and entertain the crowd. There is a belief that the spectacle brings rain and a good "mpunga" (rice) harvest, and so traditionally bullfights are held at times of drought. [image: Bullfighting]Image copyrightCATHERINE TILKE There has also been a romantic element to bullfights, with young women encouraging their lovers to take part to prove their bravery - although this happens less so these days. A woman would choose a new kanga (a colourful cloth usually wrapped around the waist) for the fight and sit on a platform next to the arena to watch. If her beau got through the fight unscathed, she would give him her kanga to keep as a trophy. [image: Short presentational grey line]You may also like: - Pemba's underwater hotel <https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-africa-30272912/sleeping-with-the-fishes-africa-s-first-underwater-hotel> - The crop that put Zanzibar women on top <https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/stories-44688104> - Bull wrestling for love in Madagascar <https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-africa-41429000/bull-wrestling-for-love-in-madagascar> [image: Short presentational grey line] A donkey procession through many of the island's villages is also an important part of the festival. [image: Donkeys riders procession]Image copyrightCATHERINE TILKE The riders wear traditional dress and carry umbrellas, trotting behind a brass band. Donkeys are used for transport and farming and their prominence in the festival highlights their important role on the island. The umbrellas are also thought to encourage a good rainy season. [image: Participants riding donkeys]Image copyrightCATHERINE TILKE From donkeys to bicycles as cyclists compete in a race from Mkoani, Pemba's port town, north through the countryside. [image: The 87km route is gruelling- it climbs the island's highest slope and takes most competitors over 2 hours to complete]Image copyrightCATHERINE TILKE The 87km (54 miles) route is gruelling and riders must climb the island's highest slope. It takes most competitors more than two hours to complete. And they are greeted at Vumawimbi beach with much fanfare and dancing. [image: The cyclists finish at Vumawimbi beach with much fanfare. Here, women dance dressed in colourful kangas.]Image copyrightCATHERINE TILKE[image: Alongside, men wearing white kikoi dance to entertain those who turned out at the finish line]Image copyrightCATHERINE TILKE The women wear the kangas and the men wear white kikoi (a woven sarong) as they entertain the crowds at the finish line. The island's first marathon was also held as part of the festivities. [image: Runners]Image copyrightCATHERINE TILKE And wrapping it all up is the "ngalawa" boat race. Ngalawas are traditional dug-out canoes of Swahili design with sails used by fishermen off Zanzibar. [image: Wrapping up the festival is an ngalawa boat race. Such boats are a typical Swahili design- here, a man climbs the mast to unfurl the sail which, if all goes according to plan, will send his crew gliding into first place over the finish line.]Image copyrightCATHERINE TILKE All photos by Catherine Tilke -- Ann Marie "The art of living consists of knowing what to pay attention to and what to ignore." -- Mardy Grothe ################################################################################################# Join the African Association of Madison, Inc. for $25 per year. 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