Zanzibar authorities have enforced a ban on men wearing their hair in braided styles, saying it flouts the law and local traditions and th...
Zanzibar authorities have enforced a ban on men wearing their hair in braided styles, saying it flouts the law and local traditions and threatens people’s morals.
This was said by the executive secretary of the Council of Arts, Film, and Culture in Zanzibar, Dr. Omar Adam, who said that the action aims at protecting Zanzibar tradition and culture.
He said police will arrest all men who plait hair in Zanzibar without a special permit and that any man who wants to have permission to plait will be required to pay Sh1 million.
He was speaking on ZBC’s morning show, where he explained various things concerning the Arts and Film sectors and how they supervise the traditions, customs, and Culture of Zanzibar.
“Police will arrest all men who plait hair; this is not acceptable by the arts council, and there is a special permit for plaiting hair, which is Sh1 million, and we have set that price in order to deter them. Now it is your choice to either pay Sh1 million to plait or buy a razor to shave,” said Dr. Omar.
It’s the law
According to him, it is a law that has been in existence since 2015 but has not been implemented; he did not state whether it would affect foreign visitors who come to the islands.
Confusion
Rumors had it that any man who enters or lives in Zanzibar with braided hair faces fines of over $400 or six months imprisonment – or both.
However, speaking in a press conference on Wednesday, Minister of Information, Youth, Culture and Sports, Ms Tabia Maulid Mwita clarified the matter. And apologized for the confusion that occurred after the ban was made public.
Law number seven of 2015, Section 7, talks about protecting Zanzibar’s traditions and culture.
“Following the information that has circulated on social media based on the statement of the Executive Secretary, I take this opportunity to clarify that the Council of Arts does not have the authority to grant permission to people to braid their hair out of moral obligation,” she said.
By Wanjiru Mbaru
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