We – my family - are really a melting pot of cultures when you look backwards on our roots and relatives. Many families in Zanzibar have roots like this, because Zanzibar is since centuries an island and a hot spot for trading, travelling and ships going from north to south and from east to west. Many and most of the families in Zanzibar have roots of immigrants.

My father Khamis Mussa was born in Zanzibar in 1887

The parents of my father were Mussa Rashid - born in Oman - and Fatma Ali - born on the Comoros.

I remember my father was very busy with his duties for the British protectorate. As a regional commisionar he had a big responsibility for the people and the development  - in the whole south of Unguja. 

The south region included in 1947 Paje, Jambiani, Mtende, Unguja Ukuu, Kizimkazi, Pete, Bwejuu, Uzi, Muyuni and other small villages.

My mother Khadija Osman was born in Zanzibar 1916 

The parents of my mother - my maternal grandparents - were called Osman Abdul Baschir - born in India - and Mariam Mohammed - born in Zanzibar.

My mother was very young when she married my father and when the first of my siblings was born. So it fell to her to look after and raise us children and to run the household for our large family. She did all this with great dedication and love.

To this day, I am deeply grateful to her from the bottom of my heart.