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Published: January 27th 2013
On Dayna's last day in Tanzania, we headed to the town of Bagamoyo to ensure her trip was more than just animals. Alladin, the husband of Michelle, my co-worker, was our driver for the day. He made sure we saw everything that we needed to see in as short of time as possible. We were on a tight schedule.
Bagamoyo is approximately 45 kms north of Dar es Salaam and you can make it there in just over an hour if the traffic cooperates. Our first stop was the Kaole Ruins.
Located 3 kilomtres from Bagamoyo, the ruins date back to the 13th century. Our guide told us that this was where the Persian traders landed in East Africa. With the prevailing monsoon winds, it made it easy for them to get back and forth to Zanzibar (located 20 nautical miles away).
The archaeological site has two mosques and 30 tombs. Apparently, the
diwanis are buried there, i.e., the local sultans, descendants of Ali Muhamad al-Hatim al-Barawi.
The site is located one kilometre from the ocean and is protected by mangroves. The locals come here everyday to farm snails.
From the ruins we headed to the
Entrance To The Mosque
The pile of rubble on the left is the roof that eventually collapsed.town of Bagamoyo and The Cathoic Church Museum. Admission was 3,000 Tsh per person ($1.80 CAD), but since we had a camera, we had to pay 1,000 more in case we took pictures. I took photos, ensuring I got my 60 cents worth for the blog.
Bagamoyo was founded at the end of the 18th century. It was original capital of German east Africa and was one of the most important trading ports along the coast. Today the town has about 30,000 inhabitants.
Bagamoyo which means "
Lay down your Heart" in in swahili. Some say it refers to the slave trade which passed through the town ("
give up all hope") or to the porters who rested in Bagamoyo after carrying 35 lb cargos on their shoulders from Lake region ("
take the load off and rest"). If you ask the locals, they will tell you it means the former. Others, who possibly would like a more politcally correct answer, will say the latter.
At the Catholic Church Museum we saw chains and neck shackles the slaves were subjected to wear. We learned about the years of slavery, the abolishment of it, and how Pope Leo XII played a
Graves At The Ruins
The taller the pillar at the grave, the more affluent the person was... Here you see the grave of an important person and the two in front were the graves of his wives. part in freeing the slaves. (
"We ask all of those in power to end the dreadful slave trade and take all steps in order to extinguish slavery.").
The Catholic "Fathers Of The Holy Ghost" missionaries arrived and worked with the locals. It was a great self-guided tour, giving us a better idea of what happened at the time. Originally the mission was intended to house children who were rescued from slavery, but it soon expanded to a church, a school, and some workshops and farming projects. This was the first mission in East Africa.
We also read about Bagamoyo's part in WWI.
Just behind the museum, is the Livingstone Tower. This is where David Livingstone's body was brought to rest for one night on its way to Zanzibar, before going to England, where he laid to rest. David Livingstone was a great great great great uncle of Dayna's, so she took a particular interest in the tower.
Towards the end of our trip, they took us to the best hotel in town. Apparently, a very smart priest built the hotel. When it was completed, he left the priesthood. He was too successful a businessman to stay
with the church... Don;t blame me for this bit of information, This came from a local.
Just sayin'...
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