Songo Mnara World Heritage Site

02:50

Songo Mnara a 14th—16th C World Heritage Site is located at 09002’24.09’’S and 39035’05.82’’E, in Lindi region, southern Tanzania. Few glazed Islamic sheds recovered at the site do, however, suggest some occupation before the middle of 14th C.  The site lies about 12 km south of Kilwa masoko, below Kisiwani Island. The area is accessible through boat and takes about an hour trip from KilwaMasoko port.
Songo Mnara heritage site is recognized as one of the most impressive of all Swahili townscape. Its built heritage comprises of five mosques, over 40 coral houses and rooms block, several cemeteries, and three enclosed space. The exceptional preserved ruins have enabled archaeologist to reconstruct how Swahili town were planned and unplanned. Moreover, archaeological excavation within and around the building has contributed to the understanding of household activities, social classes, public and communal practice in the open area and monument of the site among many other.


Apart from built heritage, several archaeological materials have been recovered from archaeological excavations.  These includes but not limited to local and imported pottery, beads, and fauna remains. Of importance, these materials have enabled us to understand interaction of Swahili society with the interior or external world. For instance, Chinese porcelain recovered from archaeological excavation indicates that by 14th -16th C, the society of Songo Mnara were trading with people from china. Furthermore, excavations within the houses have revealed the household production of cotton thread through concentrations of spindle whorls obtained in some of the rooms, and processing of crops in the interior spaces. 
Like Kilwa Kisiwani, SongoMnara heritage site was inscribed as UNESCO world heritage site in 1981. As a consequence, the site is protected and became the subject of various international laws. At the national level, the properties are legally protected through the existing cultural resource policy (2008), Antiquities Law (the Antiquities Act of 1964 and its Amendment of 1979) and established Rules and Regulations.

Despite having international recognition as world heritage site with significant outstanding values, and protection from national and international laws, the conservation of the site is relatively poor. The site is succumbed with the factors like an inadequate community participation and awareness of associated benefits, poor conservation programme for built heritage and site as whole, increased wave action and beach erosion, and encroachment on the site by humans and animals.


You Might Also Like

0 comments

Welcome Again

Welcome Again

Do you think this Website is Useful?