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Zanzibar
Historical Events 1900-2000
By Nssor
Mugheiry"
1901
JanuaryTea: the first packet of tea made
in East Africa was packed in Dunga. The
leaves were the first products of the
garden that was laid out there in 1899. It
was manufactured with such appliances as
were to hand, rolled on the deal table,
sun-dried, and fired with ordinary
charcoal stove.1901 AugustThe first bulk
oil installation started in Zanzibar
following the completion of tank and pier
at Mtakuja.The tank for reception of
petroleum in bulk waserected by Messrs.
Smith Mackenzie and Co. the Agent for
Shell Transport and Trading Company
Limited.The installation was most complete
comprising also of a factory for the
manufacture of kerosene oil tins.1901
September 18The first Zanzibar street band
was formed by the local bandsmen who were
discharged by the Sultan. The band was
available for social events. 1903The first
newspaper in Zanzibar "Samachar" was
printed. It was later reorganized as a
daily paper with the first appearing on
Monday August 21, 1905.
Later on
several newspapers were published in
Zanzibar.1903 September 26A powerful light
house at Kigomasha in Pemba and that of
Chumbe were opened. The light houses were
constructed by the Public works
Department. Great improvements took place
to the Zanzibar light houses from the
beginning of 1900 by converted to a
flashing system of A.G.A. i.e. the sun
valve control hereby the lights are
extinguished shortly after dawn and relit
before sunset automatically.
The first
modern market in Zanzibar was opened at
Darajani and named Estella Market of
commonly known as Marikiti Kuu. Estella ,
Countess Cave was a sister of General Sir
Lloyd Mathews then First Minister and
Consul General of Zanzibar. Opened by
Sultan Ali bin Hamoud, credit is due to
Mr. Bomanjee Maneckjee, the Minister for
Public Work who turned an old ruined site
into a building of a considerable
architectural beauty. 1904 July 18Sultan
Hamoud bin Mohammed died and Seyyid Ali
bin Hamoud took over the throne. Ali was
the youngest Sultan to take over the
throne at the age of 18. He was the first
Sultan to have western education and was
very much influenced by the western
culture by his dresses, food and
language.
1904
AugustThe French Post Office of Zanzibar
was closed.French Consular post office
issued stamps of various denominations of
Peace and Commerce which were issued by
the French Metropolitan Government between
1876 and 1900.1905The first Government
School started in Zanzibar through the
initiative of Sultan Ali bin Hamoud
accommodated mainly the Royal Family and
Upper Class Arabs. This school was later
on became Town Boys Primary School at
Darajani.
The famous
Bububu Railway was built by an American
firm. The 7 mile Railway connected Bububu
and Forodhani consisted of a 3 ft gauge
light track. It was sold to the Government
in 1911. The Railway stopped its passenger
service in July 1922 and used for the
haulage of stone for the harbor works. The
engines and the rolling stock of Bububu
Railway completed their journey in August
31,1929.1905 SeptemberElectric light and
power was supplied within a radius of 5
miles from the Sultan's Palace. The plant
was installed by Mr. J. A. Jones of New
York, and thereafter the streets of
Zanzibar town lit with electricity much
earlier than other streets in London which
were still to make do with gas lamp.1906
July 04The Official switching on of the
electric light in the Streets of Zanzibar
town.
This was
the first time in the history of any town
in East Africa. Indeed,Telephone services
in public use and private with switchboard
installed at the Old Fort. The facilities
were installed by an American Company and
hence opened in the Independence day of
America.1907Zanzibar Army was disbanded
and the defence of the country entrusted
to two companies of King's African Rifles
[KAR].The official opening of
Shangani Post Office. The British Post al
Services started in1873 in the Mackenzie
Building and in 1895 December the service
took a more formal charge when it joined
into the Postal Union. Meanwhile the
Zanzibar first postage stamps appeared on
September 20, 1896 printed by the firm of
the De la Rue.1907 December 10Official
opening of the wireless telegraphy
services at Mnazi Mmoja. This first
wireless telegraphy in East Africa was
opened by Mrs. Cave, the wife of then
British Consul General.
The
service connected Zanzibar and Pemba
within a few minutes was another red
letter I the annals of Zanzibar.1908
JanuaryThe silver Rupee of British India
made the standard coin of the Protectorate
and Zanzibar currency notes issued.Final
abolition of the Consular court's of
Zanzibar of the various powers. All
subjects, irrespective of nationality,
thus became amenable to British
jurisdiction.1908 May 13The Zanzibar Court
of Justice at Vuga was officially opened.
The building is a fine piece of Saracenic
architecture, the creation of Mr. J.
H.Sinclair. And the dome surmounting the
clock tower and the vista of arches are a
distinct addition to the place.1908The
first currency Decree was promulgated and
provided for and issue of the first
Zanzibar currency Notes.
The first
car came to Zanzibar. This Germany made
car "Daimler" was used by Sultan Ali bin
Hamoud. The motor car sfor passengers
started in 1927 when the trial was made
for three cars: Morris Cowley, Citroen and
Fiat each carrying for passengers to
Mangapwani.1911 December Seyyid Ali bin
Hamoud visited England to attend the
Coronation of His Majesty King George V.
Whilst in Europe he abdicated and decided
to leave in Paris where he died in
1918.Seyyid Khalifa bin Haroub ascended
the throne of Zanzibar and his coronation
was held at the House of Wonder. He was
the longest Sultan to rule Zanzibar from
1911-1960. 1913Control of Zanzibar
Sultanate passed from the Foreign Office
to the Colonial Office.1914 JanuaryControl
of Zanzibar transferred formally from
Foreign Office to Colonial Office. The new
post British Resident and Chief Secretary
were created. Major F.B. Pearce was made
the first British Resident and J. H.
Sinclair became the first Chief
Secretary.1914 AugustThe first World War
was started. Zanzibar declared war on
Germany and the Treaty of Zanzibar with
Germany lapsed.1914 September H.M.S.
Pegasus the British Ship sunk in Zanzibar
Harbor by the German Cruiser
"Koningsberg".1915 JulyThe Zanzibar
Theater Cinema House at Darajani Bridge
was opened in Saturday. The first
installment of the serial Elmo the Mighty
in which Elmo Lincoln and Lucile Love the
beautiful and talented favorite, figure in
exploits of sensetial adventures was
successful screened before a crowded
house.
1916
August- The first naval airplane to
Zanzibar landed during the period of the
first world. The Eastern African campaign
during the War saw the novel use of
aircraft in naval operations. Majority of
these aircraft's had underpowered engines
and wooden airframes which were prone to
severe problems in the tropical climate.
Sultan Khalifa bin Haroub was the first
Arab ruler to view his kingdom from the
air by flying the aircraft piloted by Lt.
J. Cull of Royal Navy Air Service.1917
MarchThe Darajani bridge was opened by J.
H. Sinclair, then British Resident
replacing the old wooden bridge. The
bridge was designed by Mr. Crawleys the
Director of public work The bridge was a
connecting link between the town
peninsular and the main island. The bridge
was of 2 spans with a total length of 70
feet by 20 feet wide.1918The first motor
lorry two-ton-Daimler to Zanzibar was
bought by Public Works Department. It was
used for the construction of various roads
in the country side.1918 NovemberArmistice
signed and the First World War ended.1920
JulyZanzibar experienced the closure of of
the International Maritime bureau
established in 1892 for the purpose of
centralization of information relating to
native vessels and slave trade in
general.
1923- The
new standard measure of weight and
capacity were made: A Pound being standard
measure of weight, A gallon as standard
measure of capacity, A Yard as standard
measure of length and Square Yard as a
standard measure of surface.1923
JuneService of the two Companied of the
K.A.R discontinued and the defence of the
country entrusted to the Zanzibar Police
Department.1925 DecemberThe first tractor
arrived in Zanzibar. The tractor named the
Guy Roadless Tractor of 19 horse power is
what termed technically as a half -track
vehicle. It was used for construction of
roads and its first trials took place at
Kidimni-Ndagaa road construction.1926
MarchExecutive and Legislative councils
constituted and the Zanzibar Protectorate
Council, formed in 1914 abolished. The
establishment of these bodies was in line
with the British Policy to start with the
system of rule of Law. The Legislative
council was later on became the Parliament
and Executive Council became Cabinet of
Minister. The first session of the
Zanzibar Legislative Council opened by His
Highness Khalifa bin Haroud, the Sultan of
Zanzibar. 1927 January The first British
Official messages were received at the
Zanzibar Station. The receiver installed
was by the Marconi Company Ltd. designed
for reception of good headphone signals in
any part of the world of all high power
continues wave stations.1928 MarchSiti bt
Saad realized her first record of Taarab
music. Siti and her band signed a
recording contract with AbdulKarim Hakim
Khan His Masters' Voice Agent in Zanzibar
to go to Calcutta India to record their
music. Siti became the first women in East
Africa to record her music and the first
person to ever record and release song in
Kiswahili.1
92-9
JulyFirst step was taken to improve the
quality of cloves for export by subjecting
them to compulsory inspection in
accordance with the provisions of the
Agricultural Produce Decree.1929
OctoberZanzibar census Report was
published.The harbor works was formally
handed over to His Highness on behalf of
the Zanzibar Government by Mr. H. H. G.
Mitchell, the consulting Engineer of
Messrs Coode, at the ceremony held at the
entrance of Harbor works in the presence
of a large gatherings. 1929
NovemberMalindi Harbor opened. The harbor
was designed by Col. G.T.Nicholson- Harbor
advisory Engineer to the Union of South
Africa. It had many facilities including a
fresh water main with hydrants to supply
to the ships and pipe to convey the oil to
and from ships alongside.1929 December
Commencement of dimming electric lights at
8.00 p.m to give time signal.1930Zanzibar
first aerodrome was constructed at Dunga.
The strip was 800 yards by 150 yards was
used only for light and medium size
aircraft.1930 AprilThe first commercial
plane landed on Zanzibar. The plane was
piloted by Captain T. Campbell Black,
Managing Director of the then Wilson's
Airways Ltd. By communicating with Police
Station at Ziwani he pilot managed to land
on Mnazi Mmoja Golf Course on Monday at
10.00.1931 MarchThe first overseas air
mail arrived at Zanzibar by the then
inaugurated African air mail
services.
It was
posted in London on the 27th February,
reached Kisumu on 10th March and arrived
at Zanzibar after five days.Likewise the
first air mail correspondence from
Zanzibar to outside world was dispatched
on Friday 5th June 1931at 7.00 a.m1932
FebruaryFirst cinema talkie exhibited in
Zanzibar at the Royal Cinema.1935 MarchThe
official opening ceremony of the new high
pressure water supply at Mwanyanya
(Bububu) by sultan Khalifa bin Haroub to
supply water to the town of Zanzibar and
Ng'ambo.1936 January The substitution of
East African currency for Rupee currency
i.e. the new Shilling currency came into
force following the establishment of the
common East African Currency Board.
Postage stamps of new denominations were
introduced.1936 FebruarySerious riot of
Manga Arabs (commonly known as Vita Vya
Wamanga or vita vya Mbata) broke out in
the town of Zanzibar. The cause of it was
in the application of Alliteration of
Produce Decree. The Inspector of Police
was killed and four rioters were killed
and several other people wounded. Great
alarm prevailed in Zanzibar and all shop
was closed.1937 December 21Official
Opening ceremony of Jubilee Gardens at
Forodhani laid out by Government to
celebrate silver Jubilee Of His Late
Majesty King George V and the memorial
erected thereon by public inscriptions to
celebrate the silver Jubilee of Sultan
Khalifa bin haroub.1946The first African,
Sk. Ameir
Tajo was appointed to join the Legislative
Council to represent the African majority
in this law making body.1947 DecemberFor
the first time in Zanzibar's history a
Bull and Donkey show was held at Mnazi
Mmoja under the auspices of the Zanzibar
Society for Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals.1948 AugustThe employees of the
African Wharfage Company went on strike
and Zanzibar was faced with complete
paralysis of loading and unloading
shipping cargoes.1948 SeptemberZanzibar
witnessed an unprecedented strike in its
history. All African employees including
domestic employees and Ayahs went on
strike in sympathy with the African
Wharfage dock hands. The African Labor's
of P.W.D. and Sweepers joined in the
Strike. All shops were closed and business
was at standstill.1949 DecemberFor the
first time Gossage Cup Football match was
played at Seyyid Khalifa Sports Grounds
(Mnazi Mmoja?) between Uganda and
Tanganyika which resulted in a draw. The
following day Kenya beat Zanzibar by three
goals to two in a good exciting match.
Tangnyika beat Kenya two nil in a final
match.
1951
-July. A serious riot broke out as a
result of the opposition of the cattle
owners of Kiembe Samaki for compulsory
inoculation against Anthrax, commonly
known as Vita vya Ngombe. Twenty cattle
owners were prosecuted an 19 sentenced to
terms imprisonment. A crowd of
sympathizer's after making ill-advised
effort to realize the prisoner's as they
were leaving the court, hurried to the
jail bent on the same purpose and serious
riot took place outside the prison.1957The
first election to be held in Zanzibar. The
elections were protested by both political
parties and racial and religious
organization but in the end, the election
was really became a contest between ASP
and ZNP. ASP won five out 6 seats.1963
DecemberZanzibar got its Independence and
Mohammed Shamte Hamad became the first
Prime Minister.But constitutionally it was
declared the Sultan the Head of State and
giving him more power to appoint his
Successor.1964 January The Revolution took
place to topple not only the ZNP/ZPPP
Government but also the monarchy, under
the Leadership of late Mzee, Abeid Amaan
Karume. With the establishment of of a
republic and a new coalition of classes in
power, radical changes took places. In
fact with the exception of Guinea no
country in tropical Africa changed
radically in so short time.
1964 -
March/ Nationalization of Land and later
distributed to the poor. This was a major
reform program to change the society and
the ownership of Land.1964 AprilThe
Republic of Zanzibar united with the
Republic of Tanganyika to form the United
Republic of Tanzania. Under new setup the
late Julius Nyerere became the first
President and Karume became the first Vice
President of Tanzania respectively.1964
September Education was declared free for
all. The declaration made a considerable
changes in which the children from low
class had opportunity to attend the
schools.Zanzibar today is almost self-
sufficient in man power. 1965 May Decree
to declare Zanzibara one Party State. Afro
Shirazi Party was the sole Political Party
until 1992 following the introduction of
Multi Party system in Tanzania.
1966 -
October.The Bank of Tanzania Act: The
establishment of Bank of Tanzania as
Central Bank to provide for the Currency
and other banking functions. The Tanzania
Currency of and coins i.e. Tanzanian
Shilling were issued for the former East
African Shilling.1972 AprilThe
Assassination of the First President of
Zanzibar and Chairman of Revolutionary
Council, His Excellency Mzee Abbeid Karume
at Kisiwandui, the Afro Shirazi Party
Headquarters. Honorable Aboud Jumbe was
appointed as President of Zanzibar and
Chairman of Revolutionary Council.1977
FebruaryThe inception of Chama cha
Mapinduzi (CCM) At Amaan Stadium Zanzibar.
Following the unity of Tanzanian Mainland,
Tanganyika African National Union (TANU)
and Zanzibari Afro Shirazi Party Tanzania
remained a one party state until 1992.
1980 JanuaryThe first 1979 Zanzibar
Constitution came into force. Thereafter,
member of first Commissioners of Election
was appointed.1980 NovemberThe appointment
of His Excellency Aboud Jumbe a President
of Zanzibar and Chairman of Revolutionary
council as per stipulation of new Zanzibar
Constitution.1984 January The President of
Zanzibar and Chairman of Revolutionary
Council Alhaj Aboud Jumbe resigned from
his post following the political crisis
relating to Union issues and Alhaj Ali
Hassan Mwinyi was appointed Interim
President.1984 AprilZanzibar General
Election for Presidential election and
Alhaj Ali Hassan Mwinyi was elected
overwhelmingly majority and became the
third President of Zanzibar. Mwinyi
initiated trade liberation policy in
Zanzibar.
To contact
author - E mail: nmugheiry@hotmail.com
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