Ethical shopping in Zanzibar –

article by My Destination Tanzania

Nestled in a small clearing in the middle of Zanzibar’s lush northern forest, a gaggle of women sit in a shaded porch, talking and laughing. The vibrant greenery surrounding their brightly patterned kangas frames a picture of an idyllic Saturday morning spent making arts, crafts and goods with friends.

I’m feeling a bit intimidated as I walk up – I’m interrupting the work day for the sake of learning a little more about the Dada women’s cooperative, its products and its participants. The women are shy at first, not wanting their pictures taken, but quickly warm to me and my companions. Within a few moments, we’re grating soap, rolling out pasta, and smashing cinnamon bark into dust in a giant pestle and mortar …