Kilwa Masoko

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Kilwa Masoko
Town
Kata ya Kilwa Masoko
Coordinates: 8°56′0″S 39°30′45″E / 8.93333°S 39.51250°E / -8.93333; 39.51250Coordinates: 8°56′0″S 39°30′45″E / 8.93333°S 39.51250°E / -8.93333; 39.51250
Country Tanzania
RegionLindi
DistrictKilwa
Government
 • TypeTownship Authority
 • Township Executive OfficerFrank Kinyongo
Population
 • Total13,601
Time zoneUTC+3 (East Africa Time)

Kilwa Masoko (Swahili: Mji wa Kilwa Masoko) is the seat of government for the Kilwa District and a port town in Lindi Region in southeastern Tanzania. Kilwa Masoko is the second largest town in Kilwa district with the population of 13,601 as of 2012.[1]

History[]

For over a millennia the Kilwa Masoko area was originally inhabited by the Mwera people. However, in the 10th to 16th century the area was part of the Swahili city states that spanned along the East African coast based at the prosperous Swahili city of Kilwa Kisiwani across the Kilwa sound. The name Masoko means "markets" in the Swahili language.[2] The town of Kilwa Masoko as we know today was established as the seat for Kilwa district after the British in 1918 and they built a deep water port at the site for their vessels. When Tanganyika became independent in 1961, the government chose to keep Kilwa Masoko as the district seat. In 2008, the town got its own government from a ward to a township authority.[3]

Geography[]

The town of Kilwa Masoko is located at the tip of the 300 km south of Dar es Salaam. Across east from the Kilwa sound is the Island of Kilwa Kisiwani. To the south of the peninsula is the .

Demographics[]

According to the 2012 Tanzania National Census, the population of the Kilwa Masoko was 13,601 of which 6,462 were male and 7,139 were female. Most residents of Kilwa district practice Sunni Islam. Kilwa Masoko has one of the smallest household sizes in Kilwa district with 3.9 people per household. [1]

Economy[]

The economy of Kilwa Masoko is primarily based on government administration and Cultural tourism. On nearby Kilwa Kisiwani island there are ancient Swahili ruins which were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981, and is only accessible by boat through from the port of Kilwa Masoko. Other economic activities include fishing and small scale urban agriculture within the town. The town hosts a few number of hotels for guests and tourists. [4]

Arts & Culture[]

The culture of Kila Masoko is mostly Swahili culture with a mix of traditional Mwera customs and values.

Historic Buildings[]

See: Kilwa Kisiwani

Historic building located within Kilwa Masoko Township include Great Mosque of Kilwa, a rapidly deteriorating mosque built using Swahili architecture in the Middle Ages in the height of Swahili civilization.[5] Husuni Kubwa is a palace in ruins that once hosted the sultan of Kilwa. , a fort built by the portuguese after the sacking of Kilwa. is a small fort with the exact use for it remain unknown. More buildings are at Songo Mnara Island, that are yet to be uncovered.

Government & Infrastructure[]

Kilwa Masoko is a town that is governed by town authority structure with a Township Executive Officer (TEO).[6] The Kilwa Masoko township authority is divided administratively into 9 hamlets:

  1. Mpara
  2. Lupedile
  3. Mkwanyule
  4. Kisangi
  5. Muchomalo
  6. Mnazi Mmoja
  7. Miembe-miwili
  8. Masoko
  9. Kisiwani

Transportation[]

Kilwa Masoko is served by a deep water port located at the southern tip of the town. The town is served by air through the Kilwa Masoko Airport (KIY) and is connected to the National Highway B2 through Kilwa road. Also Kilwa is served by major regional buses to and from Dar es Salaam and Mtwara.

Education & Health[]

Schools located in Kilwa Masoko Township Authority:

  1. Mnazi Mmoja Primary School
  2. Kilwa Secondary School
  3. Kilwa Primary School
  4. Masoko Primary school
  5. Kilwa Islamic Secondary School
  6. Iyahi Koranic Middle School (Kilwa Kisiwani)
  7. Kilwa Masoko Adult Education Training Center
  8. Ukombozi Primary school

Healthcare centers located in Kiswal masoko Township Authority:

  1. Masoko Urban Health Center
  2. The Kilwa Masoko BAKWATA Dispensary.

External links[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "2012 Census General Report" (PDF). Retrieved 24 July 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ^ V., PERROTT, D. (1965). Swahili Dictionary. Hodder & Stoughton Ltd. ISBN 0-340-54695-6. OCLC 1074425477.
  3. ^ "Masoko | Kilwa District Council". kilwadc.go.tz. Retrieved 2021-07-24.
  4. ^ "Masoko | Kilwa District Council". kilwadc.go.tz. Retrieved 2021-07-24.
  5. ^ "Historic Sites of Kilwa". World Monuments Fund. Retrieved 2021-07-24.
  6. ^ "Masoko | Kilwa District Council". kilwadc.go.tz. Retrieved 2021-07-24.
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