Kizimkazi Mosque

National Historic Site of Tanzania
6°26′9.96″S 39°27′44.64″E / 6.4361000°S 39.4624000°E / -6.4361000; 39.4624000TypeSettlementHistoryMaterialCoral ragFounded1107 CECulturesSwahiliSite notesOwnershipTanzanian GovernmentManagementAntiquities Division, Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism [1]ArchitectureArchitectural stylesSwahili & IslamicOfficial nameKizimkazi MosqueTypeCultural The oldest mosque that is still in use today in East Africa

The Kizimkazi Dimbani Mosque (Misikiti wa kale wa Kizimkazi Dimbani in Swahili) is a mosque Located in the town of Dimbani, Kusini District of Unguja South Region in Tanzania. It is situated on the southern tip of the island of Zanzibar in Tanzania and is one of the oldest Islamic buildings on the East African coast.[2] Despite its name, it is located in Dimbani, not Kizimkazi, which is 3 miles (4.8 kilometres) away (this is because the official names of these two joined villages are Kizimkazi Dimbani and Kizimkazi Mtendeni). According to a preserved kufic inscription, it was built in 1107.[3] Although the inscription and certain coral-carved decorative elements date from the period of construction, the majority of the present structure was rebuilt in the 18th century.[4]

Gallery

  • Kizimkazi Mosque interior in the 19th Century.
    Kizimkazi Mosque interior in the 19th Century.
  • Kizimkazi Mosque Cemetery with pillar tombs
    Kizimkazi Mosque Cemetery with pillar tombs
  • Information sign
    Information sign
  • Kizimkazi Mosque exterior
    Kizimkazi Mosque exterior
  • Kizimkazi Mosque prayer hall
    Kizimkazi Mosque prayer hall
  • Swahili architecture magrove pool roofs at Kizimkazi Mosque
    Swahili architecture magrove pool roofs at Kizimkazi Mosque

See also

References

  1. ^ "Antiquities Division". Retrieved 21 Jul 2022.
  2. ^ Freeman-Grenville, G. S. P., and B. G. Martin. “A Preliminary Handlist of the Arabic Inscriptions of the Eastern African Coast.” Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland, no. 2, 1973, pp. 98–122. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/25203450. Accessed 24 Jul. 2022.
  3. ^ DE V. ALLEN, J. “THE ‘SHIRAZI’ PROBLEM IN EAST AFRICAN COASTAL HISTORY.” Paideuma, vol. 28, 1982, pp. 9–27. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/41409871. Accessed 24 Jul. 2022.
  4. ^ "Kizimkazi Mosque". ArchNet. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Archived from the original on 2005-02-19. Retrieved 2010-09-04.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kizimkazi Mosque.
  • v
  • t
  • e
Arusha RegionDar es Salaam RegionDodoma RegionIringa RegionKagera RegionKigoma RegionKilimanjaro RegionLindi RegionManyara RegionMtwara Region
Pwani RegionRukwa RegionTabora RegionTanga RegionZanzibar North RegionZanzibar WestZanzibar South RegionPemba North RegionPemba South Region
  • v
  • t
  • e
Capital: Makunduchi
Wards
  1. Bwejuu
  2. Kajengwa
  3. Kibigija
  4. Kikadini
  5. Kizimkazi
  6. Mtegani
  7. Mtende
  8. Muungoni
  9. Muyuni
  10. Mzuri
  11. Paje
Native Peoples
National Heritage Sites
  • Kizimkazi Mosque
Major Cities and Towns
  • Bwejuu
  • Kizimkazi
National Parks and Reserves
  • Muyuni Forest Reserve
  • Jozani Sea Turtle and Tortoise Sanctuary
  • Zanzibar Butterfly Center
  • v
  • t
  • e
Capital: Koani
Districts
  • Kati District
  • Kusini District
Native Peoples
National Historic Sites
Islands
  • Vundwe Island
  • Uzi Island
  • Niamembe Island
  • Mwiwi Island
  • Pamunda Island
  • Sume Island
  • Pungume Island
Major Cities and Towns
National Parks and Reserves
National Landmarks
  • Chwaka Bay
  • Jozani Forest
National Monuments
  • Kizimkazi Mosque
  • v
  • t
  • e
Mainland
Flag of Tanzania
Zanzibar


Stub icon

This article about a mosque or other Islamic place of worship in Tanzania is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

  • v
  • t
  • e
Stub icon

This Zanzibar-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

  • v
  • t
  • e