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LANGUAGE

Swahili (KiSwahili) and English are the official languages; English is widely spoken and is the principal language of commerce. There are also many local African languages, reflecting the tribal diversity of the country.

RELIGION

The two main religions are Christianity (31%) and Islam (42%), with Hindus accounting for around 25%. The majority of Muslims are concentrated along the coast and in the islands. Islam has been around ever since Arab traders arrived here in the 12th century. Not until the 19th century did Christianity make any impact, and then it was mainly among the tribes of the interior. The principal Christian sects axe Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, Presbyterian and Orthodox.

Dar es Salaam

the ‘Haven of Peace’, started out as a humble fishing village in the mid-19th century when the Sultan of Zanzibar decided to turn the inland creek (now the harbour) into a safe port and trading centre. It became the capital in 1891, when the German colonial authorities transferred their seat of government from Bagamoyo, whose port was unsuitable for steamships. Since then the city has continued to grow and now has a population of about 1.5 million. Although quite a few high-rise buildings have appeared in the centre and at various places in the suburbs, Dates Salaam remains substantially a low-rise city of red-tiled roofs, with its colonial character largely intact. The harbour is still fringed with palms and mangroves, and Arab dhows mingle with huge ocean-going vessels.

Early Settlement

Not a great deal is known about the early history of the Tanzanian interior except that by 1800 AD, the Maasai, who in previous centuries had grazed their cattle in the Lake Turkana region of Kenya, had migrated down the Rift Valley as far as Dodoma. Their advance was only stopped by the Gogo, who occupied an area west of the Rift Valley, and the Here to the south of Dodoma. Because of their reputation as a warrior tribe, the Maasai were feared by the neighbouring Bantu tribes and avoided by the Arab traders, so the northern part of Tanzania was almost free from the depredations of the slave trade and the civil wars, which destroyed so many villages and settlements in other areas of the country. more

Why Dar-es-salaam?

Dar es Salaam, though not a major destination on the conventional tourist route, contains plenty of lively neighborhoods and stunning sights, It cats a charm of its own, which a busy harbour, mélange of cultures, and colourful history Spend a few days getting to know the Swahili coast’s Haven of Peace and learn why people sing its praises. more