The Zanzibari political succession process that was extrapolated from these earlier religious election practices could be spiced with a good deal of blood and swash. Competition amongthe leading personalities of the strongestcoalitions might be fierce.In 1859 the system was described as; "All male heirs were equally eligible for the succession... might, coupled with the election by the Tribe, is the only right." Sultan Barghash, when asked about Zanzibari succession practices put it succinctly by saying the right to inherit the crown fell to the contender with "the longest sword".
Mwaka 1859 mfumo ulielezewa kama Warithi wote wa kiume walikuwa na haki ya kuchaguliwa kuwa watawala...ikiwezekana, na kuchaguliwa na kabila, ndio haki pekee. Sultan Barghash, alipoulizwa kuhusu taratibu za kuachiana madaraka za Zanzibar aliweka wazi kwa ufupi kwa kusema haki ya kurithi Taji la Uongozi litamwangukia mshindani yule tu mwenye Upanga Mrefu.