KILWA KISIWANI

The Archaeological Site of Kilwa Kisiwani.

Kilwa Kisiwani is an old island located approximately nine kilometers off the southern Tanzanian coast that holds a very historical and archealogical significance. This unique island was formerly one of the greatest and most prosperous trading cities on the Swahili Coast, but it has since been reduced to ruins.

Kilwa Kisiwani is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its various significances including geopolitical, a history of architectural skills and aptitude, trade and commerce, cultural heritage and many more.

The island derives its name from a Swahili word (Kilwa) which means Kilwa of the Island. It was established in 900 AD by Persians from Shire.

Over the years, it expanded to become one of the most prosperous city-states along the Swahili coast, with its golden age falling between the 13th and 16th centuries. Its advantageous geographical location on the coast of the Indian Ocean made it a commerce hub for Africa, Arabia, Persia, India, and China.

Kilwa Kisiwani’s wealth came from trading gold, ivory, and other regional resources like lumber and spices. Kilwa’s rulers commanded the gold trade routes from the Zimbabwean plateau to the coast, and the city grew rapidly, attracting traders and residents from all over the region. These people and their wares brought cosmopolitan culture of African, Arab, Persian, and Indian heritage to the region, resulting in the establishment of the Swahili culture that still exists today.

Kilwa Kisiwani and its Wonders of Architecture

Today the Island acts as a home to many architectural materials that portray importance in various forms. Kilwa Kisiwani’s remains are remarkable examples of Swahili architecture, which is distinguished by beautiful carvings and sophisticated design and is built with coral stone and lime mortar.

Mosques, palaces, and residential buildings have been constructed on the island, and all of the structures reflect the wealth of the city’s inhabitants. Some of the key buildings to note while at this place include

The Great Mosque of Kilwa

The Great Mosque of Kilwa is one of the most important and earliest surviving mosques in sub-Saharan Africa. It is believed to have been built in or before 900 AD thus making it one of the oldest mosques that are still in existence at the East African coast.

Constructed in the 11th century and restored in the 14th century the mosque is a structure that captures Swahili Islamic architecture at its best. The mosque has a large prayer hall with a dome and a variety of rounded massive stone columns, which gives an inspiring, at the same time, massive-looking interior. Coral stone and carved doorways and windows are also incorporated and adorned by the expertise and artistic ability of Swahili construction workers.

 Husuni Kubwa

One of the premier archaeological sites worth visiting on Kilwa Kisiwani is Husuni Kubwa, which translates as The Great Fort. Husuni Kubwa was created in the early part of the 14th century and today it acts as the finest Kilwa architectural landmark. It was the majestic royal palace of the Sultan of Kilwa and was a vivid indication of the city’s relative affluence.

The architectural ensemble contains a variety of yards, terraces, and apartments, as well as one of Central Asia’s largest pools at the period, which could have been utilized for ceremonial bathing. Husuni Kubwa’s architectural design also reflects the Swahili and Middle Eastern aesthetics that are distinctive of Kilwa, such as arcades, domed rooms, and different embellishments.

The Gereza Fort

The Gereza Fort which was built by the Portuguese in the early 16th century, stands as testimony of the Kilwa Kisiwani’s dynamic history. The fort was erected after the Portuguese captured the island in 1505 to strengthen their power and protect their commercial interests.

Fortifications consisted of coral stone walls and defensive towers in accordance with the military architecture of the time, and their construction signalled the beginning of Kilwa’s degeneration as the Portuguese disrupted existing trade and subjugated the region to their control.

What led to the fall of Kilwa Kisiwani’s Economy?

There are many factors that led to the downfall of Kilwa Kisiwani empire. Kilwa Kisiwani began to deteriorate during the middle times of the 16th century after the arrival of the Portuguese.  Kilwa was known as a prominent empire however its economy majorly depended on long-distance trade. The coming of the Portuguese captured and colonised the island and disorganised all the development programs of the island.

This resulted into the city loosing both its wealth and its former control. Throughout the 16th and early 18th centuries, the island was taken and recaptured multiple times, and in the 18th century, it was claimed by the Omani of Arabs again, albeit for a brief period, and the island never recovered to its former grandeur.

Nevertheless, Kilwa Kisiwani remained a historical and important location as explorers, archaeologists, and historians visited the area in attempt to uncover unknown truths about the area and preserve that information for future generations.

Rediscovery and Preservation Efforts

Kilwa Kisiwani proved to many historical and archaeological enthusiasts that it’s an ideal destination for exploration and adventure especially during the periods of the 19th and 20th centuries. Several visits were conducted to photograph and dig to determine Kilwa’s architectural and artistic significance. The island was inscribed as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1981 depending on its various importances. This gave people recognition of the need to maintain, protect, and preserve the ruins as they continued to deteriorate.

Many years and years several conservation measures have been put in place to ensure that the place still stays and acts for importance. Local people have also participated in these conservation activities since they understand the value of cultural sites and the possibility of tourism as a source of income.

 The present Kilwa Kisiwani

Kilwa Kisiwani is now a renowned tourist site for those interested in history, archaeology, and culture. The island’s archaeological sites offer flash backs to tourists about the times of the coastal people journey back in time to the early 14th century, when Kilwa was a powerful and flourishing trading powerhouse.

what else can you do after Kiswa Kisiwani?

Are you planning to visit Kilwa Kisiwani but still wondering what more you can do during your Tanzania safari? you can choose to combine Kilwa Kisiwani visit with a visit to Olduvai gorge that is located in Ngorongoro conservation area. from there you can continue to a have a wildlife safari that will go through Ngorongoro crater, then extend to Serengeti national park before enjoying a natural walk at Kilimanjaro mountain where you will go through Shira plateau route. the amount of how much you will see will be determined by the amount of time you will be having on your safari.

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