Tanga’s historic village, Tongoni

Tanga is a magical, vast region sure to exceed the expectations of many visitors. It is best described as a destination known for its raw natural beauty and a tropical coastal setting, spicy food, beach trips with the most important harbour in Tanzania.

Tanga is rich with historic sites and cultural significant sights which gives it charm and beauty. Visitors fall in love with it the moment they set foot there. It is filled with myths, legends and history.

Each experience is sure to capture the imagination of visitors who venture out to explore it. The incredible year-round experience coupled with the warm hospitality, peace and tranquility offered by off-beaten track towns and villages is always outstanding.

Arguably, any trip near Tanga city wouldn’t be complete without paying a visit to Tongoni village, 17 kms south of the city on the way to Pangani. Situated close to the beachfront between the towns of Tanga and Pangani, Tongoni commands spectacular views of the Indian Ocean in the backdrop.

Tongoni has always had a strange attraction to me. No matter how often I have been to Tongoni, the amazing detail of the area, the ruins and history behind them have always attracted me.

“Seeing the Tongoni ruins is high on most people’s travel agenda when they come to Tanga. The village provides an insight into the early settler’s lifestyle in the fishing village”, said Mzee Job Tengamaso, the conservator at the site as he gave us a brief about the ancient ruins. Tongoni is a protected historic area under the antiquities department in the ministry of natural resources and tourism.

The village, according to Tengamaso, was the location of the first port before Tanga. Vasco Da Gama, a Portuguese sailor, takes top billing in the village. He is said to have set foot in Tongoni in 1498. It was during this visit, Tengamaso said, that Vasco Da Gama destroyed and abandoned one of his ship “San Raphael” having been beyond repair. He returned a year later and spent close to two weeks there.

Tongoni village has had an exceptional transformation as one of East Africa’s Islamic settlements, which was established around the early 14th century. Tanga is primarily and predominantly populated by Muslims.

Ruins of ancient mosques, tombs and the remains of the first Shiraz of Persian origin, with elaborate inscription and stone carvings are found here. The locals that inhabit in the area, the Wabondei and Wazigua are predominantly fishers who owned the village until the Shirazi came. The traditional culture of the locals can be explored and enjoyed by visiting these hospitable and friendly people.

Tengamaso walked us to see different tombs and mosque ruins at the site with varying times from the olden styles and those that were developed later. The collection of ruins is certainly very unique to the region, some which display dates, which historians like to document. And this is what has always fascinated me.

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