Bagamoyo History
Bagamoyo inTanzania is a town founded at the end of the 18th century, though it is an extension of a much older (8th century) settlement, Kaole. It was the capital of German East Africa and was one of the most important trading ports along the East African coast along the west of the Indian Ocean. In 2011, the town had 82,578 inhabitants and is the capital of the Bagamoyo district.
The original settlement Kaole, was founded c. 800 CE, and grew into an important trading town by the 13th century. The Kaole Ruins contain the remnants of two mosques and 30 tombs, dated back to the 13th century. Around the 17th century, the settlement 2-3 miles north of Kaoe began growing. This area grew in prosperity, acquiring the name Bagamoyo by the 18th century as an important stop in the caravan trade (the name means "take the load off and rest"). Until the 18th century, Bagamoyo was a small trading center where most of the population were fishermen and farmers. The main trading goods were fish, salt, and gum, among other things. Bagamoyo became the most important trading entreport of the east central coast of Africa in the late 19th century.
In the late 18th century Muslim families settled in Bagamoyo, all of which were relatives of Shamvi la Magimba in Oman. They made their living by enforcing taxes on the native population and by trading in salt, gathered from the Nunge coast north of Bagamoyo. In the first half of the 19th century, Bagamoyo became a trading port for ivory and the slave trade, with traders coming from the African interior, from places as far as Morogoro, Lake Tanganyika and Usambara on their way to Zanzibar. This explains the meaning of the word Bagamoyo ("Bwaga-Moyo") which means "Lay down your Heart" in Swahili. It is disputed whether this refers to the slave trade which passed through the town (i.e. "give up all hope") or to the porters who rested in Bagamoyo after carrying 35 lb cargos on their shoulders from the Great Lakes region (i.e. "take the load off and rest"). Since there is little evidence to support that Bagamoyo was a major slave port (Kilwa, much further south, has earned this status, and that tens of thousands of porters arrived at Bagamoyo annually in the latter half of the 19th century, it is more likely that the name of the town derives from the latter interpretation.
The slave trade in East Africa was officially prohibited in the year 1873, but continued surreptitiously to the end of the 19th century.
In 1868, Bagamoyo local rulers, known as majumbe, presented the Catholic "Fathers of the Holy Ghost" with land for a mission north of the town, the first mission in East Africa. This caused resistance by the native Zaramo people which was mediated by representatives of Sultan Majid and, after 1870, by Sultan Barghash. 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.
But Bagamoyo was not only a trade centre for ivory and copra; it was also a starting point for renowned European explorers. From Bagamoyo they moved out to find the source of the River Nile and explored the African inner lakes. Some of these were Richard Francis Burton, John Hanning Speke, Henry Morton Stanley and James Augustus Grant. Although often believed so, david had never been to Bagamoyo in his lifetime. Only after his death he was laid out in the Old Church's tower (nowadays named Livingston Tower) to wait for the high tide to come in and ship his body to Zanzibar.
Bagamoyo was the first capital of the colony while serving as the German headquarters of german East Africa (first under the auspices of the German East African Company and then the German Imperial Government) between 1886-1891. Dar es salaam became the new capital of the colony in 1891. The town was apparently the (1895) birthplace of SS-Oberfahrer Julian Scherner. During World War I, on August 15, 1916, a British air attack and naval bombardment was launched on Bagamoyo, the Germans were overrun and the German garrison taken. When the German Empire decided to build a railway from Dar es Salaam into the interior in 1905, Bagamoyo's importance began to decline.
Location
Bagamoyo is located at 6°26′S38°54′E. It lies 75 kilometres (47 miles) north of Dar es salaam on the coast of the Indian Ocean, close to the island of Zanzibar, 597Kms from the East African Tourism hub of Arusha town.
Tourism activities
Bagamoyo stone town tour (2-3 hours)
Bagamoyo is surrounded by old buildings of the previous generation, beautiful Arab architecture with thick walls of Earth fitted with well-carved doors made of thick African hardwood. On your walk through narrow streets between Old buildings of Bagamoyo stone town you will visit the German Colonial Administrative block, Art market, Old post office, 1st Tanzania Primary School, Old Mosques, Hanging tower, Caravan Serai Museum and the fish market. On your walk along the Indian Ocean beach visit a centre for dhow sailboat building and get to know how local people builds boats.
Kaole ruins tour (1-3 hours)
Kaole village formally known as ‘Pumbuji’ is one of the oldest villages that immigrants from Arabic countries choose as they landed on East Africa’s coast. The village has ruins dating back to 13th Century. It is in this village where Sultan of Oman preferred to settle and construct administrative and military headquarters. Today the ruins made-up of earth and corals and the Kaole Museum tells volumes of stories about Ivory trade, movement of traders, cruel slavery and the living culture of today’s Kaole people majority originating from Asia. Beyond the ruins, there is an old port surrounded by a Mangrove forest where one can go closer to nature and enjoy fresh air.
Bagamoyo Catholic Church & Museum tour
You will visit the Old tower of the first Catholic Church in East Africa, one of the Oldest Baobab tree, Cemeteries (Catholic, German and Indian), Dr. Livingstone tower, Old Fathers’ house and the Cross at the beach. Explore the museum with information about the slave trade, missionaries, life of the people and some collections of artifacts of the indigenous tribes.
Mwambakuni coral reef tour (1-3 hours)
On your marine experience explore Mwambakuni coral reef and listen to stories about local peoples beliefs on coral reefs and its uses.
Crocodile Farm Tour (2-5 hours)
Visit a crocodile farm and learn how these wild predators are kept. Get to know their social behaviors, growth, live capture techniques, feeding/hunting techniques and local uses of various products.
Mapopo Island Tour (2-5 hours)
Take an evening or Morning boat tour to Mapopo Island where thousands of bats have inhabited the island. Get to know the bat’s life and ecological importance of these flying mammals.
Ruvu River cruising (2-3 hours)
Take a boat ride to explore crocodiles, hippos and various birds along the Ruvu River that flows from the Uluguru Mountains and some parts of Southern Highlands of Tanzania. Get to know how locals fish in the rivers and various used of river water.
Fishing with local fishermen Experience (1-4 hours)
Come and join a team of experienced village fishermen for a fishing experience. Do your best to fish what will be prepared for you during your lunch or dinner. Learn how to prepare Swahili Traditional food Participate in cooking Swahili dishes with local Swahili Mamas of Kaole village.
Visit Bagamoyo College of Arts (1-2 hours)
The Bagamoyo College of Arts (“Chuo cha Sanaa”) is an internationally famous arts college in Tanzania, teaching traditional Tanzanian painting, sculpture, drama, dancing and drumming. The college organizes monthly cultural events that people are freely invited to participate.
Local Home visits (1-2 hours)
Visit to a local home where you will learn how coastal communities lives. Listen to stories and share your time with local people by engaging in various home chores/daily activities.
Full day & multiple day tours
Various tours can be combined to explore Bagamoyo fully. Tour programmes can be tailored according to your time and budget. Extended tours to neighboring villages like Saadani and Mlingotini together with game drives in Saadani National Park can be organized on request. Get an Opportunity to visit the art market, artists at work and learn how to do sculpture, fine art and Makonde Carving.
Where to stay
There are several hotels/resorts, hostels, guest houses and camping sites within and around the town of Bagamoyo
.Getting there
Bagamoyo is located 75 kms North of Dar-es-salaam, 1-1.5 hours drive. From Arusha town is about 8hours day trip, a perfect opportunity to finish your last days of a holiday in Tanzania.
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