On History, Cosmopolitanism, and Indian Ocean Studies: A Conversation with Abdul Sheriff

Abstract

Abstract In January 2022, Jeremy Prestholdt spoke with Abdul Sheriff, author, editor, and coeditor of several books, former professor at the University of Dar es Salaam, principal curator of Zanzibar Museums, and executive director of the Zanzibar Indian Ocean Research Institute (ZIORI). Speaking via Zoom, in this interview Sheriff discussed his career trajectory, including his years at the University of Dar es Salaam, his books Slaves, Spices, and Ivory in Zanzibar and Dhow Cultures of the Indian Ocean, his curatorial work in Zanzibar, and the establishment of ZIORI as well as his current research.