As with the history of the people of Zanzibar, so comes the culture. With origins beginning back in the first century the people are interesting and widely diverse. One of the most outstanding features is the warmth and friendliness of the locals.

Most of the people are of Bantu background with numerous Arab strains found throughout Zanzibar Island. The locals are not as tribal as many found in Kenya or South Africa due to the Tanzanian Governments policy of relocation and breaking up of tribes in the late 1960s. This policy was created to stop tribal warfare which was seen in Kenya.

The island where the locals are from more or less determines which tribe they belong to.
The Waunguja would come from Unguja Island, with Wapemba tribe being from Pemba Island and Watumbatu from Tumbato Island. There is a bit of a tribal rivalry between the Waunguja and Wapemba, but this is more politically based. Most of the residents on Pemba Island support the majority opposition party, whilst the citizens on Unguja support the ruling CCM Party. All the political hype surrounding Zanzibar is as a result of this.