Rising with the Tide -
The Seaweed Women of Jambiani
A Gentle Power Beneath the Waves
Every morning, as the tides ebb along the coral coast of Jambiani in southeastern Zanzibar, a quiet revolution unfolds. Dozens of women in brightly colored kangas wade into the shallow turquoise lagoon, their hands busy tying, harvesting, and tending to rows of seaweed floating just beneath the surface.
What may seem like a humble task to the casual observer is, in truth, a deeply rooted tradition – and now, a growing movement of empowerment, resilience, and regeneration.
The Art of Seaweed Farming
Seaweed farming in Zanzibar is more than a livelihood – it’s a legacy. Using simple wooden stakes and nylon lines, the women cultivate delicate strands of seaweed in the shallow, sun-warmed waters. It is a sustainable, low-tech, and eco-friendly practice that harmonizes with the ocean, leaving behind no pollution, no disruption, no scars on the reef.
After several weeks of nurturing the crop, the seaweed is harvested, washed, and dried under the sun on handmade racks or straw mats. From here, it can follow one of two paths: be sold in bulk to export companies for processing into cosmetics, food additives, or pharmaceuticals – or transformed locally into something far more meaningful.
Mwani Mamas - Seaweed Sisters of Change
In Jambiani, one group of women is redefining what it means to farm the sea. Known as the Mwani Mamas, they are the heart and soul of the Mwani Zanzibar Centre, a women-led initiative that takes seaweed farming to a higher purpose.
With training, creativity, and love, these women turn raw seaweed into luxurious, handcrafted skincare products using only natural, local ingredients. Their workshop, just steps from the beach, smells of lemongrass, clove, turmeric, and ocean salt – ingredients lovingly blended into soaps, scrubs, oils, and creams.
What sets them apart is not just what they make, but how they make it – together, by hand, and with pride. The Mwani Mamas support one another, laugh together, grow together. Through this work, they have found independence, dignity, and a powerful sense of purpose.
The Power of a Plant
Seaweed is a gift from the ocean. It grows fast, requires no fresh water, and absorbs carbon dioxide, helping fight climate change while nourishing marine ecosystems. Its benefits go far beyond the beauty of its form:
For the skin: Seaweed is rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals. It soothes, hydrates, and heals, making it a cherished ingredient in natural skincare.
For the earth: Seaweed farming restores ocean health, prevents coastal erosion, and provides a renewable resource that doesn’t deplete land or forests.
For the community: By producing seaweed-based products locally, the women of Zanzibar keep more value within their villages, allowing knowledge, wealth, and opportunity to circulate and grow.
A Woman’s Worth, Reimagined
Traditionally, seaweed farming in Zanzibar earned little recognition and less reward. The work was physically demanding and underpaid. But today, things are changing. Through initiatives like Mwani and the Zanzibar Seaweed Cluster Initiative, women are gaining access to new skills, better tools, and fairer markets. They are forming cooperatives, learning business management, receiving training in sustainable practices – and gaining the confidence to lead.
With their income, these women send their children to school, build their own homes, start small businesses, and reshape the social norms that once limited their futures.
They are no longer just farmers. They are entrepreneurs, innovators, and role models for the next generation.
Visit. Learn. Support.
If you’re ever lucky enough to walk the shores of Jambiani, take the time to meet the women behind the seaweed. Join a tour of the Mwani workshop. Watch the process unfold – from sea to skin. Feel the textures, smell the Zanzibar spices, and try your hand at crafting a soap of your own. It’s not just a visit – it’s a connection.
By supporting their products, sharing their story, or simply listening to their voices, you help amplify a movement that blends tradition with transformation.
From the Ocean, With Love
Seaweed farming in Zanzibar is a story of women and water. Of nature and nurture. Of quiet strength and loud joy. It is proof that sustainability is not only possible, but beautiful. That empowerment can grow in salty sand. That change, when grown with care, can rise with the tide.
And the women of Jambiani? They are not just keeping a tradition alive. They are shaping the future – with every strand of seaweed, every handmade soap, and every wave of hope.
Magic and Symbolism of Seaweed
Sea is a source of endless wisdom, healing and magical powers. Old Witches called the Seaweed ‘Lady’s Tree’. Seaweeds are considered carriers of good luck and abundance.
Nutritional Benefits
Seaweed is often called a “superfood” for good reason:
Rich in essential nutrients: It’s packed with protein, fiber, and iron, making it a valuable plant-based source of nutrition.
High in vitamins and minerals: Especially Vitamin K, iodine (important for thyroid health), calcium, magnesium, and folate.
Omega-3 fatty acids: Some seaweeds contain long-chain omega-3s (EPA and DHA), similar to those found in fish, making them a great option for vegetarians and vegans.
Antioxidants: Seaweed is full of antioxidants like flavonoids and carotenoids, which protect the body from oxidative stress and inflammation.
Low in calories: It’s naturally low in fat and calories, while still being deeply nourishing.
Environmental & Agricultural Benefits
Seaweed isn’t just good for you – it’s good for the planet, too:
No freshwater or fertilizer needed: It grows abundantly in the ocean, requiring no land, fresh water, or chemical inputs.
Carbon absorption: Seaweed absorbs large amounts of carbon dioxide, helping mitigate climate change.
Improves ocean health: It helps clean the water by absorbing excess nutrients (like nitrogen), and supports marine biodiversity.
Fast growth: Some species of seaweed can grow up to 30 cm per day, making it one of the fastest-growing plants on Earth.
Seaweed is a gift - to our bodies, our communities, and our planet. Whether on your plate, in your skincare, or helping heal the ocean, this humble sea vegetable offers a wealth of benefits that reach far beyond the shoreline.
