A Swahili proverb, “Tembea uone”, (literally meaning, if you want to learn more, give yourself time to explore new things) manifests itself by visiting the National Museum of Tanzania (NMT) in Dar es Salaam to witness the wonderful attractions that awaits you.
Among the attractions include once a very strong and famous Islamic coin of the Sultans of Kilwa, commonly known as the Kilwa coin. It was used to facilitate transactions along the East Africa’s Indian Ocean Coasts from Mombasa to Kilwa in Tanganyika especially during the Arabs colonial era.
During colonial days, Tanganyika was ruled by Arabs, German and British colonists. Each administration had left behind its legacies. These, include the said coins and other valuable items that can be seen when you visit the Museum.
The Kilwa coin was one denomination and the name of the ruler appears on one side and a terse rhyme of praise for him on the other side. The coins were probably used for local market transactions and small change in particular. Transactions of high value were carried out by batter or with gold. Traders and merchants from the Persian Gulf, especially Arab countries used the coin in two main periods, the first in the 11th century, the time of Ali bin Hasani, and the second in the early 14th century, the time of the Mahdali dynasty especially the reign of Ali Hasan bin Selemani. It was said there was a possibility of small numbers of coins being minted at other times between the 12th century and the Portuguese arrival. Kilwa, during that period was among the most prosperous business centres along the Indian Ocean Coast in East Africa.
The Museum along Shaaban Robert Street, has other surprises to offer in different fields such as Archaeology, Biology, Ethnography, History and Paleontology collections such as Zinjanthropus boisei “Zinj”, a hominid that lived 1.75 million years ago.
We definitely can’t explore them all but the few include the remains of a Silokath fish which has been preserved by the Museum for two decades. A cast of the same is on display for people to have a look and learn about this unique specie of a fish that disappeared about 6,000 years ago and for the first time was seen in a small island in Songo Mnara, Kilwa Masoko Tanzania in 2002.
Unlike other fishes which normally lay eggs, this one gives birth to the young ones. Studies show that it carries eggs in its stomach for about 9 months and lives in water depths estimated at 50 – 200 metres where it is not easily accessible by fishermen. NMT says the creature has great importance to marine scientists and researchers.
The large skeletons of a marine mammal inside the building is another attraction that you will come across when touring the same. Those are bones of a Sperm Whale. Have you ever come across the mammal? If not, here you go! The monster fish was found dead on October 14, 2006 in Kilwa Masoko Island. The skull alone is 5 meters in length, width 1.5m, height 1.5m and jaw bone length 5m. The fish which weighs between 16,000 – 57,000 kg and can live up to 70 years has the largest brain known of any modern or extinct animal, weighing on average about 8 kg.
Different cultures, traditions and customs of ancient societies to the present are well stored by the NMT in order to educate the public about their origins.
Other attractions can be found in the NMT centres established in different parts of Tanzania such as the Village Museum in Dar es Salaam – an open museum where traditional houses have been built to show case village life a century ago. When you get there you are sure to learn the culture and traditions of Tanzanians within a short time because all the information is stored there.
The National Natural History Museum in Arusha Region is another NMT centre located in the former German Army Administration building where there is a gallery of Human Evolution, and the famous a 100+ years old tortoise is kept and roaming around.
For those who would like to learn about the life and legacy of the founder of the nation and Champion of freedom struggles in Africa, Mwalimu J K Nyerere should visit ”Mwalimu J K Nyerere Museum in Butiama Mara Region in the Northern part of Tanzania. This is the birth and burial place of this great man. The Museum reflects his significance role nationally and internationally and has stored various material cultures associated with his life time and presidency.
The NMT also has sites and monuments of attractions that both local and international tourists can visit. These include Tendaguru Paleontological Site in Lindi Region where the German Eng. Bernard Wilhelm Sattler discovered the Great Dinosaur in 1906 while studying the rocks of the area. The Dinosaur identified by experts as Brachiosaurus (Giraffatitan) Brancai, is said to have lived in Africa about 150 million years ago. Other sites include Mikindani Old Town in Mtwara, Mafia Historical Site in Coast Region and Historical Building in Lindi to mention just a few.
WanderTZ/Emmanuel Kwitema
