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KNOW QVILOA(KILWA), THE ANCIENT TOWN

Anthony Abraham

Tour Guide, Arusha, Tanzania

| 3 mins read

  Qviloa or also known as Kilwa is one of the Oldest Town Found in the  Coast of the Indian Ocean. It is Located in the Sourh Eastern  Coast line of Tanzania. Kilwa is on among the Oldest Towns found in Africa. This area was famous and even  in the 1st Century.It is one among the potential Candidate site for the Lost and Searched Town of Rhapta in the Indian Ocean. there are many potential sites but Kilwa stands among the potential sites. Being found  south from the Rufiji Delta. Currently Kilwa has many remains of Ancient Building structures and Ruins. with more than 99 Mosques and many Forts and large buildimhg structure. Some dating to well as before the 9th Century.Though the Town of Kilwa was also Documented by many Travellers even in the 14th and !5 th Century.It palyed a Big Role as a Trading Port in the Indian Ocean. Many Scholars including Ibn Batuta and David Livingstone wrote about the facinating Town in the Indian Ocean. Famous for the Trading of Slaves, Gold , Ivory and many other products. 

  Kilwan Kisiwani is an Island , National Historical site ,and Hamlet community located in the Township of Kilwa Masoko ,the district seat of Kilwa district in Tanzanian region of Lindi Region in Southern Tanzania.Kilwa grew in the 13th and 14th. Century and is mentioned by several early chroniclers.The Most Significant standing ruins from this Period are the Great Mosque and the Palace of Husuni Kubwa. The Palace was unrivaled in East Africa for its architectural sophistication and splendor.in its hey day ,Kilwa was one of the Principal port of trade on the Indian Ocean ,Trading Gold. Ivory,Iron,and Enslaved people from the Interior Africa including the Mwene Mutabe societies South of the Zambezi River.Imported Goodds included Cloth and Jewelry from India and Porcelain and Glass from China.

Kilwa  Kisiwani  is one of the areas listed in the World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Many Facinating Sites are Found in Kilwa Kisiwani ans Songo Mnara Islands.

  Many remains have been unearthed from these Sites , Including Old trading Coins, Artifacts of different types. THe Oldest Mosque in East Africa is found in the Island of Kilwa Kisiwani dating back to the 9th Century.It had a great role in the grow of Islam in East Africa. Also Old wells and caves can be found in this Island.

  We Welcome you to Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara Island to See  the Inspiring Historical remains iin this Area. Also visiting Kilwa Kivinje an Old trading Port in the shore of the Indian Ocean. Lots of remains of the Old Town. With Arabic and Indian Architectural remains , and the Old Slave Market.there are alot of things to learn in this old Town of Kilwa. We Welcome you all to Kilwa.