Doors, it seems, always have a message for us. An open door bids us welcome; an invitation to pass through. A closed door gives a terse message to keep out; we are not welcome.
In Zanzibar, an ancient island in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of Tanzania, doors have more significance than most places. Zanzibar has long been a crossroads along the ancient trading routes between Africa, India, and Persia. Doors became status symbols of wealth and social status. Construction of a new house traditionally started with the elaborately carved front door, which, essentially, became a calling card advertising the occupation and status of the owner.
The triptych here shows three different door styles from Stone Town in Zanzibar. The first in the Arabic style, the second from a Christian church and the third, an Indian.
For more on the doors of Zanzibar click here. For more on Doors, this week’s photo challenge, click here.
There are things known and there are things unknown, and in between are the doors of perception.
___Aldous Huxley