Sayyid Said - The ruler Oman and Zanzibar (1791-1856)

Sayyid Said was a prince of Oman born in 1791 at Muscat the Capital of Oman to Sultan Ibn Said Ahmad of the Busaidi ruling family.

He carne to power in 1804 after his father was killed in a naval battle. He however ruled jointly with his elder brother.

Because of their tender age (Sayyid Said was 13 years old when his father was killed and therefore unable to make the necessary administrative decisions) power was entrusted to their cousin one Bedr Ibin Saif.

At the age of 15, Sayyid Said felt that he had come of age and therefore decided to get rid of his cousin Bedr Ibin Saif by using a dagger to murder him.

The murder was motivated by the rumour that their cousin was plotting to kill them (Sayyid Said and his elder brother).

However, Sayyid Said's early years in power were affected by many problems, which ranged from opposition from his family members, the warring tribes in Oman, the Sea pirates, crumbling economy to the Mazaria at the East African coast.

He nevertheless used his good administrative skills, patience, great ambition and friendship with the British to solve some of these problems like the Sea pIrates and the Mazaria who had refused to acknowledge Oman rule.

Why Sayyid Said moved his Capital from Muscat to Zanzibar

Sayyid Said had visited the coast (Zanzibar) on several occasions. For example in 1828, again 1832 and during the suppression of the Busaid - Mazrui conflicts.

During his visits, he had greatly admired the coastal climate and wealth. Therefore three years after the defeat of the Mazaria (1840), he decided to settle permanently at the coast (Zanzibar). His decision was motivated by the following reasons:

He wanted to control the Indian Ocean trade himself other than leaving it to his representatives who were corrupt and unreliable. Because of this great desire to build wealth for himself he once said "he was nothing but a merchant."

He was particularly interested in controlling natural resources like ivory, slaves and gold which were in plenty at the .East African coast.

He wanted to end the Busaidi - Mazaria dynastic conflicts once for all. Basing their rule in Mombasa, the Mazaria had continued to rebel against his rule.

The transfer was also motivated by the need to control his East African coastal dominion effectively. His representatives had turned out to be ineffective and corrupt.

He greatly admired the coastal climate, which was cool and far better compared to the hot climate in Oman. Hence suitable for human settlement.

Zanzibar also had fertile soils which he hoped to use for the growing of cloves and spices. This might have also forced him to shift his capital to the coast.

The East African coast would also provide a cheap source of labour - slaves, which he hoped to use on his dove plantations.

Zanzibar was also strategically located as a market for goods. This central position would enable him control and expand the interior trade, hence establishing regular trade links between the coast and the interior.

Zanzibar had deep and wide natural harbours that could allow big ships from America, Britain, Germany and France to come and trade with the coastal people. Sayyid Said hoped to tax these European traders.

Political persecution also forced Sayyid Said to move his capital to Zanzibar. He had a lot of enemies at home that included his own relatives (he had murdered his cousin - Bedr which did not please many of his people).

Apart from political persecution Sayyid Said could have ran to the East African coast because of the serious religious persecution in Oman at the time.

The people of the East Africa coast were considered more loyal and friendly to Sayyid than those of Oman. The people of Pate had for instance invited him to come and rescue them from the harsh rule of the Mombasa governors.

Sayyid Said also wanted to gain popularity and prestige as a ruler of two territories - That is to say, the ruler Oman and Zanzibar at the same time.

Availability of fresh drinking water. The waters of Zanzibar were believed to be sweeter than those of Oman. This could have also forced him to shift his capital to the coast.

He also wanted to check on the activities of Sea pirates who had made trade across the Indian Ocean almost impossible.

The hospitality of some coastal towns like Malindi and Pemba also encouraged him to settle at the coast.

Zanzibar had a security advantage since it was an island, hence could be easily protected against mainland and external enemies.