Wikipedia

Bagamoyo

Bagamoyo(Mji wa Bagamoyo,inSwahili) is a historic coastal town and capital ofBagamoyo Districtin thePwani RegionofTanzania.Much of the settlement was founded at the end of the 18th century, though it is an extension of a much older (8th century)Swahilisettlement,Kaole.It was chosen as the capital ofGerman East Africaby the German colonial administration and it became one of the most important trading ports for the Germans along theEast Africancoast along the west of theIndian Oceanin the late 19th and early 20th century. Bagamoyo lies 75 kilometres (47 miles) north ofDar-es-Salaamon the coast of theZanzibar Channel,across from the island ofZanzibar.The town hostsBagamoyo Historic Town,that is aNational Historic Site of Tanzania.In 2011, the town had 82,578 inhabitants.[1]

Bagamoyo
Mji wa Bagamoyo(Swahili)
CapitalofBagamoyo District
From top to bottom:
Old Arab tea house in Bagamoyo,Swahili doorin Bagamoyo and street scene in Bagamoyo
Nickname:
Take a load off your heart
Bagamoyo is located in Tanzania
Bagamoyo
Bagamoyo
Coordinates:6°26′40″S38°54′10″E/ 6.44444°S 38.90278°E/-6.44444; 38.90278
CountryTanzania
RegionPwani Region
DistrictBagamoyo District
Population
(2011)
• Total
82,578
Ethnic groups
• SettlerSwahili
• AncestralZaramo

Etymology

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In Kiswahili, Bagamoyo's name translates to "take a load off your heart." Your load is supposed to be lifted by the words in order to help you feel at peace. This is a reference to Bagamoyo's renown as a town of porters in the nineteenth century. The mediaeval settlement served as the destination for thousands of porters who travelled with the caravan and carried, on average, 70-pound loads across their shoulders, principally ivory tusks. After a taxing journey and months of hiking over dangerous terrain, Bagamoyo appealed as a destination for recreation and rest.[2][3]

Drawing of Nyamwezi porters c.1889

History

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Main article:Bagamoyo Historic Town

The original settlement,Kaole,was foundedc. 800CE, and grew into an important trading town by the 13th century. TheKaoleRuins contain the remnants of twomosquesand 30tombs,dated back to the 13th century. Until the 18th century, Bagamoyo, the settlement 5 kilometres (3 mi) north ofKaole,was a small trading center where most of the population were fishermen and farmers. Their main trading goods were fish, salt and gum, among others.[4]Around the 17th century this area began growing in prosperity and by the 18th century it was an important stop in the caravan and slave trade, acquiring the name Bagamoyo. It became the most important tradingentrepotof the east central coast of Africa in the late 19th century.[5]

In the late 18th century, Muslim families settled in Bagamoyo, all of which were relatives of Shamvi la Magimba inOman.They made their living by enforcing taxes on the native population and by trading in salt, gathered from theNungecoast north of Bagamoyo. In the first half of the 19th century, Bagamoyo became a trading port forivoryandslave,with traders coming from the African interior – places as far asMorogoro,Lake TanganyikaandUsambara- on their way toZanzibar.This explains the meaning of the word Bagamoyo ( "Bwaga-Moyo" ) which means "Lay down your Heart" inSwahili.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 16-kilogram (35 lb) cargoes on their shoulders from the Great Lakes region (i.e. "take the load off and rest" ). There is considerable debate regarding the extent of the slave trade as a major export in Bagamoyo, with archival analysis suggesting that ivory was the primary export over slaves, and that many of the caravan porters on the ivory route were free wage laborers as opposed to slaves.[6][7]However, the history of the slave trade features prominently in the shared culture of its residents and organizations such as UNESCO emphasize its importance as a cultural heritage site memorializing the slave trade in East Africa.[8][9]

The Kaole Ruins

The slave trade in East Africa was officially prohibited in the year 1873, but continued surreptitiously to the end of the 19th century.[9]

A Muslim man in Bagamoyo

In 1868, Bagamoyo local rulers, known as majumbe, presented theCatholic"Fathers of the Holy Ghost"with land for amissionnorth of the town, the first mission in East Africa. This caused resistance by the nativeZaramopeople which was mediated by representatives of Sultan Majid and, after 1870, by SultanBarghash.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 andcopra;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 wereRichard Francis Burton,John Hanning Speke,Henry Morton Stanley[10]: 55 andJames Augustus Grant.Although often believed so,David Livingstonehad 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 ofGerman East Africa(first under the auspices of the German East African Company and then the German Imperial Government) between 1886–1891.Dar es Salaambecame the new capital of the colony in 1891. The town was apparently whereSS-OberführerJulian Schernerwas born in 1895. When the German Empire decided to build a narrow gauge railway from Dar es Salaam into the interior in 1905, Bagamoyo's importance began to decline.

First World War

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HMSVengeance,flagshipof the 1916amphibous assaulton Bagamoyo

In theEast African campaignofWorld War I,BritishandEmpireforces attacked Bagamoyo in August 1916. TheRoyal Navybombarded the town with theprotected cruiserHMSTalboton 1 August andbattleshipHMSVengeanceon 4 August.[11]

Before dawn on 15 August a flotilla anchored off Bagamoyo that includedVengeance,the protected cruiserChallenger,themonitorsSevernandMersey,thearmed merchant cruiserHimalaya,and severalauxiliary ships.[11]The Royal Navy landed a force of 176 armed sailors, 65Royal Marinesand 55 Zanzibar Rifles to attack the town.[12]

Akite balloonflown byHMSManicadirected a naval bombardment of German positions ashore. A seaplane fromHimalayabombed German trenches in the town, and then assisted in directing naval gunnery.[13]

One ofSMSKönigsberg's105 mm naval guns,converted to use on land

TheImperial German Armydefended Bagamoyo with 60 German troops and 350AskariSchutztruppe,commanded by German officers. However, many of the defenders were atMtoni,about 6 kilometres (4 mi) west of Bagamoyo, defending a crossing over the Kingani River.[12]

Part of the German garrison

The German defences of Bagamoyo includedtrenchesalong the shore, around the Arab and German forts, and on a hill just south of the town. German artillery included at least two small field guns on the shore, plus one of the105 mm naval gunsthat had been salvaged from the cruiserSMSKönigsberg,and installed in an emplacement on the hill[13]with 100 rounds of ammunition.[12]

Königsberg's gun engaged the monitorsSevernandMersey,which were some distance out to sea, but it could not be lowered enough to engage vessels nearer the shore. Three smaller Royal Navy vessels, including the armedtugboatHMSHelmuth,got within 500 metres of the German gun and opened fire on it with their3-pounder guns.A British machine gun section then attacked the hill, eventually forcing the German artillerymen to abandon their gun and retreat.[13]This was the first ofKönigsberg's guns to be captured by British forces.[12]

Many civilians, whatever their religion, took refuge in the church at the Catholic mission. One British12-inchshell hit the church, damaging thebaptistry,and the two priests in charge of the mission moved the civilians to the Mission House. By the evening, German forces were retreating from their trenches. Royal Marines, supported by Zanzibar Rifles, captured the German Governor's house. The remainder of the town fell to British forces thereafter.[13]

British forces lost one Royal Marine officer[12]and ten men. German forces lost two officers[12]and ten men, and another 19 were captured by the British.[citation needed]

2006–present

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Bagamoyo is a center fordhowsailboat building. The Department of Antiquities in Tanzania is working to maintain the ruins of the colonial era in and around Bagamoyo and to revitalize the town.[14]In 2006, the department applied forWorld Heritage Sitestatus, in the cultural category.[9]TheBagamoyo College of Arts( "Chuo cha Sanaa" ) has been an internationally famous arts college in Tanzania, teaching traditional Tanzanian painting, sculpture, drama, dancing, and drumming. In 2007 based on the college, theBagamoyo Arts and Cultural Institute(TaSUBa) was established.[14]

Its history and proximity to Dar es Salaam has led Bagamoyo to be more diverse than some other areas of the country. Bagamoyo is home to many ethnic groups, including theWakwere,Wazaramo,Wazigua,Maasai,andWaswahili.Although Swahili culture dominates, many different cultures coexist in Bagamoyo, including people of Arab descent.[15]

In 2018, the new port construction began that will transform the area.[16]

Transport

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Ships at Bagamoyo
Cycling in Bagamoyo

Port

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In 2013, a large two berthintermodal containerdeepwater port terminal was proposed by Tanzanian government. CalledBagamoyo Port,it will be constructed atMbegani,near Bagamoyo.[17]China planned to invest US$10B to make Bagamoyo the most important port in Africa by 2017.[18][19]The port is part of theMaritime Silk Road.[20][21][22]

In 2018, the project got the go ahead and work started in about June/July. It will be built in association with the state-ownedChina Merchants Port,it will include aspecial economic zone.The US$ 10bn project is backed by anOmanisovereign wealth fund.[16][23][24]

In 2019 Tanzanian President John Magufuli announced the suspension of the project.[25]

Public transport

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Bagamoyo is served by the BagamoyoDaladalastand near Bagamoyo road south east of Bagamoyo.

Education

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Bagamoyo hosts theBagamoyo Arts and Cultural Institute.


Notable inhabitants

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Twin towns and sister cities

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  • The Mission Building
  • The Old Church
  • The second church built by the missioners

See also

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References

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  1. ^"Towns and Cities Near Bagamoyo (Zanzibar Urban) – Within 40 Miles Distance of Bagamoyo Zanzibar Urban Tanzania Between 0 and 64.36 Kilometers Radius List".www.distantias.com.Retrieved22 September2019.
  2. ^Fabian, Steven. "East Africa’s Gorée: Slave Trade and Slave Tourism in Bagamoyo, Tanzania." Canadian Journal of African Studies / Revue Canadienne Des Études Africaines, vol. 47, no. 1, 2013, pp. 95–114. JSTOR,http://www.jstor.org/stable/43860408.Accessed 24 Sept. 2023.
  3. ^Brown, Walter Thaddeus. A pre-colonial history of Bagamoyo: Aspects of the growth of an East African coastal town. Boston University Graduate School, 1971.
  4. ^"Bagamoyo – Kaole Ruins".Archived fromthe originalon 16 July 2010.
  5. ^Fabian, Steven. "East Africa’s Gorée: Slave Trade and Slave Tourism in Bagamoyo, Tanzania." Canadian Journal of African Studies, vol. 47, no. 1, 2013, pp. 95–114. JSTOR,http://www.jstor.org/stable/43860408.Accessed 8 Aug. 2022.
  6. ^Fabian, Steven (2013). "East Africa's Gorée: slave trade and slave tourism in Bagamoyo, Tanzania".Canadian Journal of African Studies.41:1:95–114.doi:10.1080/00083968.2013.771422.S2CID142785283.
  7. ^Rockel, Stephen (2009). "Slavery and Freedom in the Nineteenth Century East Africa: The Case of Waungwana Caravan Porters".African Studies.68:1:87–109.doi:10.1080/00020180902827464.S2CID161968318.
  8. ^Hill-Yates, Erica Alane (2012). "What's in a Tale?: Slavery, Memory and the Intersections of Race, Class and Gender in Coastal Tanzania".Race, Gender & Class.19(1/2): 336–352.ISSN1082-8354.JSTOR43496877.
  9. ^abc"The Central Slave and Ivory Trade Route".UNESCO World Heritage Centre.Retrieved29 October2019.
  10. ^Stanley, H.M., 1899, Through the Dark Continent, London: G. Newnes,ISBN0486256677
  11. ^ab"HMS Manica – February to December 1916, UK out, German East Africa Campaign".Royal Navy Log Books of the World War 1 Era.Naval-History.net.Retrieved9 January2022.
  12. ^abcdef"The Royal Navy captures Bagamoyo on 15th August 1916".The Heroes of the East African Campaign WW1.3 September 2020.Retrieved10 January2022.
  13. ^abcdCato, Conrad (1919). "XII HMS" Manica "in East Africa".The Navy Everywhere.Constable:London.[page needed]
  14. ^abWynne-Jones, Stephanie; LaViolette, Adria.The Swahili World.London.ISBN978-1-315-69145-9.OCLC994591960.
  15. ^"Cross-Cultural Solutions".Archived fromthe originalon 26 August 2012.Retrieved1 October2012.
  16. ^abMead, Nick Van (31 July 2018)."China in Africa: win-win development, or a new colonialism?".The Guardian.Retrieved22 September2019.
  17. ^"Green light for new Tanzanian port".13 December 2010. Archived fromthe originalon 7 November 2014.Retrieved14 October2013.
  18. ^"Tanzania and China sign port development package".Archived fromthe originalon 4 March 2016.Retrieved14 October2013.
  19. ^"Tanzania / Africa / Forums / Railpage".railpage.com.au.Railpage Australia.Archivedfrom the original on 7 November 2014.
  20. ^The Port of Bagamoyo: A Test for China’s New Maritime Silk Road in Africa
  21. ^China in Africa: win-win development, or a new colonialism?
  22. ^New port
  23. ^Anyango, Anita (23 July 2018)."Africa's seaports: A catalyst for growth".Retrieved22 September2019.
  24. ^"Construction of Tanzania's Bagamoyo port to start in June: minister – Xinhua | English.news.cn".www.xinhuanet.com.Archived fromthe originalon 24 April 2018.Retrieved22 September2019.
  25. ^"Tanzania Suspends $10B Bagamoyo Port Project".Retrieved26 June2019.
  26. ^"Vallejo Sister City".Vallejo Sister City Association.Archived fromthe originalon 11 September 2013.Retrieved11 September2013.
  27. ^"Zu Gast bei Freunden: Ahlener besuchen Bagamoyo".Stadt Ahlen(in German). 25 October 2019.Retrieved22 May2023.
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