Karume Day 2023: Karume Day is observed annually on April 7 in remembrance of the assassination of Abeid Amani Karume, former President of Zanzibar and Vice President of Tanzania. Did you know that Abeid Karume opposed the revolution of 1964 that led to his election as the first President of Zanzibar? Karume Day honours Karume’s legacy and role in establishing Zanzibar’s independence. Karume Day is a Tanzanian and Zanzibari public holiday. Typically, a memorial service is held at the grave of Zanzibar’s first president. The ceremony includes a traditional gun salute, the laying of wreaths, and remarks regarding Karume’s legacy and achievements.
HISTORY OF KARUME DAY
Many individuals believe that Abeid Amani Karume was born in Zanzibar’s Mwera village in 1905. According to other sources, Karume was born in Ruanda-Urundi to a slave woman and moved to Zanzibar as a child. In 1920, Karume, who had a limited formal education, became a seaman and rose to the position of crew leader. He later travelled to a number of international destinations, including London. During his travels, he met a number of African thinkers, including Hastings Kamuzu Banda of Malawi, and gained insight into geopolitics and international affairs.
In 1957, Karume was elected president of the Black African Immigrant Social Work Institute and subsequently formed an alliance with the Shirazi Association to found the Afro-Shirazi Party. Zanzibar gained independence from the British on December 10, 1963, and the Sultan of Zanzibar became a constitutional monarch. On January 12, 1964, the monarch and Arab elites of Zanzibar were deposed by a revolution. Ugandan John Okello led the revolution, which ended the same night.
Okello invited Karume to become President of the People’s Republic of Zanzibar after his conquest of the islands. Okello also invited and appointed Abdulrahman Mohamed Babu, a Marxist politician, to the Revolutionary Council. Karume utilised his position and political savvy to take action against Okello and request that Tanganyikan police officers maintain order on the islands. As soon as Okello left the country, Karume deemed him a “enemy of the state” and prohibited him from returning.
Karume joined forces with Tanzanian President Julius Nyerere in April 1964. This union resulted in the formation of the United Republic of Tanzania, with Karume as its first vice president. In April 1972, four assassins killed Karume at the Afro-Shirazi Party headquarters in Zanzibar Town.
HOW TO OBSERVE KARUME DAY
Celebrate with the Zanzibaris
Zanzibaris honour the memory of their founding president on Karume Day. You can commemorate alongside them by sharing your best wishes on social media. Share a tweet or post in his honour, or upload a TikTok or Instagram Reels video with your thoughts.
Explore the past of Zanzibar
Zanzibar has been inhabited for approximately 20,000 years. This small state has witnessed the rise and fall of empires, wars, and revolutions. Since Karume is mentioned in the history of Zanzibar, Karume Day can be used to learn more about him. After conducting your research, don’t forget to share your findings!
Plan a trip to Zanzibar
Zanzibar is famous for its breathtaking white sand beaches, rich history and culture, and world-famous spice plantations. CNN ranks it among the fifty most beautiful places in Africa. Plan a vacation to these extraordinary islands to experience the exotic sights and activities.
5 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT ZANZIBAR
It is a group of islands.
Pemba and Unguja are the two largest islands that comprise Zanzibar.
It’s where Freddie Mercury was born.
Mercury, the lead singer of the band Queen, was born in Zanzibar under the name Farouk Bulsara.
These are the Spice Islands
Zanzibar is renowned for its extensive production of spices such as cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and black pepper.
The city of Zanzibar is its capital
Zanzibar City, not Stone Town, is the capital of Zanzibar, contrary to popular belief.
The shortest war ever waged
The Anglo-Zanzibar War, the world’s shortest war, took place in Zanzibar.
WHY KARUME DAY IS IMPORTANT
It honours the heritage of Abeid Amani Karume
Karume instituted reforms to establish a state of equality. One of these reforms is the nationalisation and redistribution of land on the islands. Arabs possessed 80% of the land, while the remainder of the population held 13%.
Karume made the union of Tanzania and Zanzibar possible.
When Karume became President of the People’s Republic of Zanzibar, he used his authority to create the United Republic of Tanzania by forming a union with Tanganyika.
Karume prevented Marxism in Zanzibar
Karume prevented Tanzania and Zanzibar from aligning with the U.S.S.R. by uniting with Tanzania. This allowed democracy to flourish instead of Marxism in the country.
KARUME DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | April 7 | Friday |
| 2024 | April 7 | Sunday |
| 2025 | April 7 | Monday |
| 2026 | April 7 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | April 7 | Wednesday |
