The Mwaka Kogwa Festival is a vibrant celebration of the traditional Shirazi or Persian New Year in Zanzibar. While its roots lie in the Zoroastrian religion, the people of Zanzibar have embraced and made it their own. Though celebrated island-wide, the village of Makunduchi in southern Unguja is the heart of these ritualistic festivities, drawing large crowds each year.
Like many East African festivals, Mwaka Kogwa is alive with singing, dancing, feasting, and drumming. However, it also features unique rituals aimed at ensuring good fortune in the New Year. The festival kicks off with a playful yet symbolic fight, where men of the village engage in mock battles. Traditionally, real weapons were used, but today, banana sticks are the preferred choice, making the event lively yet safe as they release the pent-up aggression from the past year.

source