Mwaka Kogwa Festival

Event Overview

The Mwaka Kogwa Festival, held annually in July, dates back to the 19th century. Originating with the Shirazi settlers during the Omani control of Zanzibar, this Zanzibar festival celebrates the maize harvest. As Chief Duta explained, the festival celebrates the community's strength and prosperity. It's a time when connections are strengthened, and the community comes together in a display of solidarity. Preparation for the Main Event A week before the main festivities, villagers from across Zanzibar gather in Makunduchi. Special singing and a pilgrimage to the prayer site culminate in the ceremonial sacrifice of a cow, where attendees receive beef and honey, and say prayers for protection during the festival. Then the night before the main event, fighters present themselves to the Chief, while those with severe ailments receive traditional herbal treatments and special prayers.