Dear Mervyn Maciel,
I was born in Zanzibar , though our family moved to Tanga and
Dar-es-Salaam in late 40`s. When the Zanzibar revolution took place I
was in college at St.Xaviers in Bombay and my room-mate was a boy from
Z`bar called Joe Martins. He was so fearful for the fate of his
family back home there that he almost gave up his studies temporarily to
try and return to the island. Fortunately other relatives persuaded him to
stay on. I also remember another boy called John Almeida studying at Wilson
Collegei n Bombay at that time who had a brother shot dead during the
early hours as he returned from church that day in Zanzibar.His body
lay by the sea-shore for almost a full day before the family could
recover it.
Indeed for the the people of Omani origin and the other Arabs it was
a bloody event as the revolutionaries who were of African origin
slaughtered them for no other reason than their being viewed as
oppressors belonging to the the Sultan`s race.
The Sultan with a family entourage fled by boat , briefly stopping in
Dar-es-salaam where the then Tanganyikan government allowed them to
proceed to the protection of the U.K. where they continued to live. I am
told some of the family returned to Oman where the Sultan`s family
originated.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mervyn & Elsie Maciel" <mervynels.watuwasha...@gmail.com>
To: <goanet@lists.goanet.org>
Sent: Monday, January 14, 2013 3:16 AM
Subject: [Goanet] Goanet Reader - Escape from Zanzibar
Mervyn Lobo wrote:
Sporadic shooting continued and since my uncle's house was
close to the Cable and Wireless station and American Embassy
(obvious targets), several of the bullets whizzed past our
window.? We spoke in soft tones around the house and even had
to try and get Andrew to suppress his cough as 'soldiers'
were going around from house to house and we didn't know what
to expect.
This must have been real scary. Some Goans got shot dead during the
revolution and as you can imagine, this is still a very delicate issue for
their?families.
Hi Mervyn,
I can assure you it was truly scary. There were times when I kept moving
our baby(Josey's) Moses basket from one end of the room to the other
to avoid her being struck by any stray bullets. There is so much more of
those fateful days that comes to mind now and I so wish I could have
videoed the whole scene then. As I say, lucky to have survived!
Glad you found some interest in my article. Have had some positive
feedback following its publication, which I am pleased about.
Regards.
Mervyn M.
