Mikindani
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Mikindani [translation: young palm trees], is a coastal African, Swahili town in south-eastern Tanzania.
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[edit] History
The original Inhabitants (The Makonde Tribe) were joined around the 9th Century AD by Arab traders. A further influx of Arabians occurred in the 17th century under the reign of Seyyid Said, the graves and mosques from this period can still be seen.
In the 19th century under German colonial rule the boma (fort), a prison and a dock were constructed in the village. During World War I the prison was largely destroyed, what remained was turned into a customs house. In 1947 the British moved their headquarters for the area to Mtwara where there was a deeper harbour.
The town is home to Livingstone House, the dwelling place from which Dr. Livingstone set out on his final expedition.
[edit] Geography
The town is located on the gently sloping hills of the southern coast of Mikindani Bay, a small roughly heart shaped bay. The southern arm of the bay mouth contains a small collection of houses (and a holiday complex) called Litingi. On the far side of the mouth is a small village called Pemba. There are salt pans located just past the mouth of the bay, on the ocean side.
The Town is located on the main Mtwara-Lindi road, about 10km from Mtwara. The town can easily be reached from Mtwara via regular Dala Dala services.
[edit] The Modern Town
After Mtwara was founded and the local government moved there, Mikindani became a backwater. It had a large market and several small shops and restaurants. The town has since seen an increase in prosperity over the past decade, starting with the renovation of the boma as a hotel in the late 1990s. Since then other hotels, bars and most recently a yacht club have been founded. Despite this, the majority of the population exists from subsistence farming, selling a small amount of surplus.
The town is predominantly Muslim although there is a sizable Christian population.
[edit] External links
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