Swahili means ‘coastal’ in Arabic, and the
Swahili coast refers to Tanzania’s coastline, a
beautiful and historic region rich in history,
natural beauty, art and culture. Ancient Greek
manuscripts show that the east coast of Africa
was visited by sailing vessels in classical
times. In the ninth or tenth centuries came -Shirazi
Persians from modern-day Iran, sailing their
ancient dhows across the Indian Ocean.
Chinese,
Japanese, Russian and Indonesian merchants and
pirates, traders and adventurers, all arrived
over the centuries during which the Swahili
coast was the centre of a thriving commercial
civilisation, with its own language, economy and
artistic traditions. When Europe was still
floundering in the dark ages, the light of
eastern civilisation had fallen on the Swahili
coast, unknown to the rest
of the world.
Today, reminders of the Swahili coast’s
magnificent past can be found up and down the
length of Tanzania. The brass-bound chests and
heavy wooden doors of the Swahili empire are
found far inland, imported originally by the
Arabic slave traders who led caravans into the
interior in search of fortune. On the coast
itself, crumbling mosques nestle among palm
trees by white beaches and Persian baths lie
ruined in the remains of ancient villas.
Bagamoyo
Bagamoyo was once the centre of slave and ivory
trading. It was the last point reached by the
caravans of slaves who arrived here for
transportation to faraway places. Today, this
attractive coastal town still bears reminders of
its past - the fortified house where slaves were
kept while waiting for transportation still
stands, as does the tree under which they were
bought and sold.
Kilwa
Kilwa Kisiwani Island was once the trading
centre of the Swahili empire. The ruins of the
settlement still remain and are considered to be
one of the most important Swahili historical
sites in East Africa. The famous traveller and
chronicler Ibn Battuta visited Kilwa in the 14th
century, describing his admiration for the
architecture and graceful situation of the
capital city. Later the island became a trading
post for slaves travelling north from Mauritius
and Mozambique. The end of the town’s supremacy
as a trading port came when it was sacked by a
tribe of cannibals in 1588.
Mafia Island
The name Mafia derives from the Ma-afir, a tribe
from ancient Yemen who dominated the coast
around 1000BC. Mafia Island is the largest of an
island archipelago, off the beaten track and
known to only the most discerning travellers.
The island is surrounded by a barrier reef so
rich in marine life it has been designated a
Marine Park by the World Wide Fund for Nature. A
tiny population of pygmy hippo live in the
remains of an old lagoon, cut off from the
mainland centuries ago. Mafia’s interesting
history and stunning beaches, combined with
several luxurious and discreet hotels, make it
one of Tanzania’s hidden gems.
Tanga and Pangani
Ruins close to the active port of Tanga attest
to its importance as a trading post in the
Swahili civilisation. The ruins, once a large
mosque, include more than 40 tombs. Tanga also
has pleasant beaches and is a convenient point
from which to visit the spectacular Usambara
Mountains. Just south of Tanga is Pangani, once
the home of Arab slave traders, set on a lovely
estuary of the Pangani River.
