THE STORY OF 1001 NIGHTS

Sharazād is named after the legendary queen and the storyteller of One Thousand and One Nights. The name has Persian origins -meaning “she whose land is free”; as well as pretty woman, wise woman, and woman with the liberty of mind. 

The many stories of the Arabian Nights, in their different forms and genres, have impacted literature, music, art, and cinema, and they continue to do so up to the present day. They may be one of the greatest Arabic, Middle Eastern contributions to world literature. Nearly everyone has been affected to some degree by at least one or more of Sharazād’s dazzling Arabian stories of the exotic East, whether through folktales, beautiful adventures full of adventure, or through its modern adaptations as Hollywood feature films or Disney animated movies.

As a matter of fact, it would be difficult to find anyone who is unfamiliar with the tales of Aladdin, Ali Baba, or Sindbad, among many others, or with words like genie and ghoul, all of which were introduced to the West, through the tales of 1001 Arabian Nights.

My story is of such marvel that if it were written with a needle on the corner of an eye, it would yet serve as a lesson to those who seek wisdom.

The legend states that following an accident King Shahrayar becomes paranoid, and when he sets out on horseback for his kingdom, he makes a vow to marry every attractive woman there, only to have her put to death the following morning, before she has a chance to trick him.

The grand vizier’s daughter, Sharazād, who is well renowned for her love of storytelling, decides to take it upon herself to marry the king over the adamant objections of her father.

As could be predicted, the monarch quickly runs out of wives to marry. Sharazād, however, has a plan of her own. Every evening, she arranges for her younger sister Dunyazad to visit the royal apartments and nudge the new monarch to tell one of her well-known tales to the King and her.

Sharazād then makes excellent use of her skill by starting a story every night but never finishing it before dawn. This captures the King’s attention and makes him agree to spare her life for one more night so he may find out what happens in the story. Shahrazad is therefore certain to begin a new, equally enthralling story whenever she finishes one, never at the crack of dawn. This will continue for another evening or two.

After one thousand and one nights, finally the King is cured of his paranoia and decides he wants to keep his queen for the rest of time, and they all live happily ever after!

Come and experience the 1001 stories and the spice of this mystical place called Zanzibar, we are lucky enough to call our home.