Men in Zanzibar outlawed from plaiting hair

The government of Zanzibar has made it illegal for men to braid their hair. The semi-autonomous government of the Tanzanian Zanzibar archipelago will impose a 1 million Tanzanian shilling (Ksh.58,000) fine, six-month imprisonment or both for anyone who contravenes the directive.

Any man who would like to braid their hair must get a special permit that comes at a fee of 1 million, which is equivalent to KSH 58, 000.

Dr. Omar Adam, the executive secretary of the Council of Arts, Film, and Culture in Zanzibar, told a local media outlet that this move is designed to protect Zanzibar tradition and culture.

“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 is now illegal to braid your hair in Zanzibar, if you are a Zanzibari man

According to Omar, the law has been in existence since 2015 but has not been implemented.

The law has been in existence since 2015 but has not been implemented. Omar, however,  did not state whether it would apply to foreign visitors.

Omar, however,  did not state whether it would apply to foreign visitors.

The Zanzibar archipelago, located in the Indian Ocean 15 miles off the coast of Tanzania, has been a popular beach destination for holidaymakers. Without clarity on how this new regulation affects foreigners, it may affect the number of tourists who visit the island.

Popular Tanzanian musicians including Diamond, Harmonize and Mbosso, who frequent Zanzibar plait their hair.