Description

Our first stop will be the Ras Mkumbuu Ruins, which located on the west coast of the Tanzanian Island of Pemba, part of the Zanzibar Archipelago. They lie close to the village of Ndagoni at the end of a long narrow peninsula known as Ras Mkumbuu, which lies to the northwest of the town of Chake-Chake. The ruins mainly date from the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, though there are indications that they were built over older foundations. Notable among these ruins are those of a large mosque which was for some time the largest structure of its type in sub-Saharan Africa. James Kirkman, the first archeologist to excavate here in the 1950s, proposed to connect his findings with the “Qanbalu” mentioned by the Arab explorer Al-Masudi around 900 but could not identify remnants earlier than the 13th century. A possible identification of Pemba Island as a whole and especially Ras Mkumbuu with Qanbalu is still discussed.

Then, we will heading to Chwaka Ruins which are located 6 km from Konde, at the end of a track of about 900 meters towards Tumbe on the road to Myumoni. The archaeological site is indicated from the road and is free to access. These ruins are among the best preserved on the whole island of Pemba. Inscriptions from the early 13th century have been found here. But this Swahili Afro-Shirazian village dates back to the 15th century, built by Harun Bin Ali, son of Mkama Ndume (Mkama comes from the Persian Makam, the king) of Pujini (located in the central-eastern part of Pemba). The town was quite large, spread over 20 hectares, with an impressive palace-fortress, reception halls, two mosques, an iron workshop and a harbour in the creek. The walls of the great mosque and the arches of the gates are still standing today. Legend has it that the small mosque called Msikiti Chooko, “The Mosque of Green Grains”, was built for Harun's wife who is said to have asked for seeds to be mixed with the mortar to hold the structure together. Many tombs have been discovered behind the mosque, including that of Harun himself, decorated with ceramic tiles. On the way to Chwaka near the road, you will see the ruins of an 18th century Arab fort, which was the seat of Governor Mazuri during the reign of the Arabs who settled in Mombasa on Pemba, before the final arrival of the Omani Sultans on the island in the 19th century. One of the six tombs bears the name of “Mbarouk bin Khatib al Mazrui” and dates from 1807.

The last stop is Pujini Ruins, It’s just 10 kilometres south-east of Chake Chake, close to the Village of Chambani, are important ruins, the remains of the Afro-Shirazi Town of Mkame Ndume, which included a fortified citadel in the 15th century. All that remains of this architectural complex are the 5m high moated ramparts over 15ha, with an underground chamber and a two-storey reception hall 46m by 8m. 300m to the southwest is a mosque, built on the remains of a very old building. The site is worth a visit with a guide who can tell you more about it. You will indulge in a Delicious Swahili Lunch before going back to your hotel.

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