I took several photos when I was in Stone Town, Zanzibar. Some of these snaps were personal, and to capture the beauty of the island, while others were to have a tangible memory of the historical significance of Zanzibar. I’ve licensed some of the photos, but there was one photo, packed with historical information, that made me feel some kind of way when I saw it with the photography provider’s watermark. (To be clear, the watermark is in the same location on every photo. It was not deliberately placed in a spot to cover written text.)
My photo was of a sign that indicated where a historical figure had lived and his role in trade in the Eastern Congo and Zanzibar. It had Swahili writing at the top, which is essential for understanding Zanzibar’s culture since Swahili is the official language of Zanzibar. But there was a problem: The watermark covered part of the English text below it.
The watermark placement made me think about how some people control knowledge, making it hard for others to access it. In English-speaking countries and beyond, “book knowledge” is behind a locked door, with only a few elites and institutions having the keys and selecting who they will share the keys with. These gatekeepers control what history is taught and how history is presented.
In an effort to democratize access to information, I’ve decided to post the photo with the English clearly visible. There’s one photo with the watermark and another with my own watermark, carefully placed to keep the text clear. Now, you have a piece of Zanzibar’s history, and it’s up to you to explore, learn, and think.
With this piece of history, you can ask questions about how it relates to conflicts, differences, and the past… and how it impacts current issues. You can learn about figures like Tipu Tip and the impact of their actions on Zanzibar. You can also think about how their actions fit into the history of colonialism and what can be done about it.
Stone Town is a special place, recognized by UNESCO for its significance as a World Heritage Site. My effort, though small, is about sharing history and making it available to everyone. It’s an invitation for you to explore the intriguing history hidden in the streets of Stone Town, Zanzibar. It’s an invitation to use social media and the internet to remove the gatekeepers of knowledge.
I am grateful that I was blessed to have both completed a university degree and to have the means to travel both domestically and internationally. I hope to share knowledge as I continue to learn. Does that mean that I will stop licensing photographs? No. But with the ones that serve a purpose, I will make a conscious effort to remember to share a legible photo if the licensed one is illegible. Most of my photos can be found here. Contact me for my full portfolio at janice@janicemacgregor.com
Janice MacGregor 