COASTAL CIRCUIT
PLACES
Zanzibar
/ Mafia /
Bagamoyo
Some 75 km to the north of Dar es salaam, on the coast opposite
Zanzibar, is the former capital of German East Africa, Bagamoyo.
Possessing a good, natural harbor ideal for sailing vessels and
dhows, it was once the centre of the notorious slave trade.
Its Name is derived from the word Bwagamoyo, which means "Here
I throw down my heart" reflecting the desperation
and despair of the 'broken hearted' captives whose voyage into
the unknown began here. The present police station, near the beachfront,
was the first stone building in Bagamoyo. Originally an Arab residence
it was at one time the old prison where slaves were herded through
underground tunnels to waiting dhows.
The city was also the starting point for the first European explorers
on the way to search for the source of NILE.Livingstone, Stanley,
Burton and Speke all passed through here.
Livingstone's body was laid to rest here before being take first
to Zanzibar and the to England.
The Mission has a museum with a wonderful collection of photographs
and mementoes relating to Livingstone and to German colonial times.
A house where Henry Morton Stanley lived a century ago can be
seen in solitary splendour near the beach.
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