TEC's Annual Three Island BBQ returns for its 12th year on Thursday, August 25th! This time, we will focus on the spice trade along the east coast of #Africa, which has long been a hub of culinary exchange between East and West. Your BBQ dinner will include many of the spices found in #Zanzibar and its neighboring islands. The spice trade of Zanzibar has a fabled and checkered past from the 8th century when the Persians settled on the island. From the 15th century lasting 200 years, the Portuguese controlled the spice trade on the Island until 1698 when Zanzibar became part of the Sultanate of Oman, and in 1890 the island became a British protectorate. Today, the spice islands are a semi-autonomous part of the United Republic of Tanzania. Spices were worth their weight in gold in the early period of the spice trade and were used for preserving fresh meat, incense, perfumes, and cooking.⁠ ⁠ The legendary Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama in the latter part of the 15th century sailed around the cape linking Asia to Europe. He also visited Zanzibar in 1499, and when he returned to the Kingdom of Portugal, his stories of Zanzibar’s spice farming were the beginning of European influence. Several years later Zanzibar became part of the Portuguese Empire.⁠ ⁠ Explore the link 🔗 in our bio for more event and ticketing details. ⁠ ⁠ The Club continues to follow NYC and CDC guidelines which do not require guests to be vaccinated. Please keep this in mind when attending the event. We will be supportive of anyone wanting to wear a mask.⁠ ⁠ #explorersclub #theexplorersclub⁠