The History of Kilwa : Historical backgrounds shows that the coastal area have once visited by great archeologist who did their research and discovered a lot of resources in the area. Thus, the scientists discovered that the place is rich in resources and is very attractive for tourist activities. One of the popular scientists that had visited the place in the history is Dr. Neville Chittick. Dr. Neville visited the coastal area around 1955 and after conducting his scientific researches he discovered that the place was so favorable for human habitats and their productive activities.
Dr. Neville discovered that the place had their local administrations since ancient time. One of the leaders that appeared to be strong and existed in the coastal area was mzee Mndimbo who was believed to be one of the strongest leaders ever happened in the place. Mzee Mndimbo’s reign existed among the Swahili speaking people before the coming of Shiraz people from Middle East with their new sultanate administrations. His reign is believed to be existing from 7th century in the coastal area and from there a lot of merchants from Arabic states invaded the area and conducted commercial activities with the natives, The History of Kilwa
Other famous historical sites that Dr. Neville did his research and discovered a lot of riches were the local villages of Kilwa Masoko and Kilwa Kivinje. These two great villages were one among important cities for commercial activities in the coastal area and attracted a lot of people who were merchants to do their commercial activities in the place. They attracted both domestic merchants and foreigners from Arabic states, china and merchants from Indian Ocean.
Initially, Dr. Neville Chittick found that the historical ruins such as the mosque, the Portuguese forts and other buildings were not well seen and he decided to dig out in the ground and he soon became able to see those ruins such as the biggest mosque in east Africa, the Portuguese forts; the big and small one and the buildings in the Husuni kubwa.
Kilwa started to be the important market center for trading activities in east Africa from 11 century. Then, between 13 century and 14 century Kilwa was more important and resourceful market centers as compared to other cities such as Mombasa, Kenya. Famous commodities were gold that were bought or taken from the famous empire of Mwene Mtapa, Zimbabwe. Also, other commodities were iron, coconuts, ivory and other commodities that were taken from India and china. The gold coins that were used in Kilwa were discovered from Zimbabwe. Also, the merchants in Kilwa dealt with pearls, perfumes, Persian earthenware and Arabian crockery.
The Kilwa ruins are believed to be existing and used since the sultanate administration from 14th Century all the way through the 19th Century. various buildings such as houses were built just for habitats and administrative issues during the sultanate administrative system, The History of Kilwa
One of the most popular and famous ruins in the coast is the existence of mosque in those centuries. The mosque was believed to be the biggest mosque in Tanzania and east Africa at large in those days. The Islamic believers used the mosque for spiritual services. Most people especially Islamic believers have been traveling from all over the world to come and visit the ruins of the ancient mosque. This usually decorates the place.
The presence of natural caves; Kilwa is one of the places in east Africa that has been endowed with a lot of caves especially natural ones. There are natural caves commonly known as Nong’oma that have been existing since time in memorial in the village of Nandete. This is another tourist attractions that attracts more visitors to visit the place.
The royal palace buildings that were built during the rise and existence of the coastal trading city of Kilwa. These buildings are still existing as one of the famous ruins that attracts many people to visit the place. It attracts both the domestic as well as international visitors.
