Mafia Island

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Mafia Island
Mafia Island (51554991378).jpg
Mafia Island
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Mafia Island
Location of Mafia Island
Geography
Location Sea of Zanj
Coordinates 7°51′S39°47′E / 7.850°S 39.783°E / -7.850; 39.783
ArchipelagoThe Mafia Islands Archipelago
Total islands9
Major islands Juani Island & Jibondo Island
Area435 km2 (168 sq mi)
Length49 km (30.4 mi)
Width17 km (10.6 mi)
Highest elevation53 m (174 ft)
Highest pointNdogani
Administration
Region Pwani Region
District Mafia District
Demographics
Population66,180 (2022)
Languages Swahili
Ethnic groups Matumbi, Ndengereko & Rufiji

Mafia Island or Chole Shamba (Kisiwa cha Mafia, in Swahili) is an island of The Mafia Archipelago located in Mafia District in the southern Pwani Region of Tanzania across the Mafia Channel. The island is the third largest in Tanzanian ocean territory, [1] but is not administratively included within the semi-autonomous region of Zanzibar, which has been politically separate since 1890. Mafia Island forms the largest part of Mafia District, one of the six administrative districts in the Pwani Region. As the Mafia Archipelago's main island, it's sometimes called Chole Shamba, meaning Chole farmlands in Swahili. This is in opposition to the historic settlement of Chole Mjini (Chole town) on Chole Island inside Mafia Bay. [2] The island's population is over 65,000. [3] [4] [5] [6] The economy is based on fishing, subsistence agriculture and the market in Kilindoni. The island attracts some tourists, mainly scuba divers, birdwatchers, game fishermen, and people seeking relaxation. [7] [8]

Contents

Geography

Mafia Island, (394 km2 (152 sq mi)), lies off the east coast of Tanzania opposite the delta of the Rufiji River. [1] The 20 kilometres (12 mi) wide stretch of water between the delta and the island is called the Mafia Channel. Mafia Island is part of a small archipelago with several much smaller islands, some of which are inhabited. The main town on Mafia is Kilindoni on the west coast. On the east coast is Chole Bay, Mafia's protected deep-water anchorage and original harbour. The bay is studded with islets, sandbanks and beaches, and is protected from the east by reefs and Juani Island.

The northernmost point on the island is a coral cliff rising approximately 4.5 metres (15 ft) above the sea called Ras Mkumbi, beyond the cliff the land gradually rises to 24 metres (79 ft). [9] There is a lighthouse at Ras Mkumbi.

Climate

Mafia Island has a tropical climate. This climate is classified as "Aw" by the Köppen-Geiger system. The average temperature in town of Kilindoni is 26.7 °C (80.1 °F). The average annual rainfall is 1,705 mm. The monthly average temperatures are usually between 24.8 and 28.3 °C (76.6 and 82.9 °F). There is one major rain season, with most rainfall coming between March and May. Dry season spans between July and October.

Climate data for Kilindoni
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)31.3
(88.3)		31.6
(88.9)		31.3
(88.3)		29.9
(85.8)		29.3
(84.7)		28.3
(82.9)		27.5
(81.5)		28.2
(82.8)		29.3
(84.7)		30.3
(86.5)		30.6
(87.1)		31.1
(88.0)		29.9
(85.8)
Daily mean °C (°F)28.3
(82.9)		28.3
(82.9)		28.1
(82.6)		27.0
(80.6)		26.4
(79.5)		25.4
(77.7)		24.8
(76.6)		25.0
(77.0)		25.7
(78.3)		26.8
(80.2)		27.2
(81.0)		27.8
(82.0)		26.7
(80.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)25.3
(77.5)		25.1
(77.2)		25.0
(77.0)		24.2
(75.6)		23.5
(74.3)		22.6
(72.7)		22.1
(71.8)		21.9
(71.4)		22.2
(72.0)		23.3
(73.9)		23.9
(75.0)		24.6
(76.3)		23.6
(74.5)
Average precipitation mm (inches)134
(5.3)		98
(3.9)		234
(9.2)		482
(19.0)		260
(10.2)		80
(3.1)		49
(1.9)		25
(1.0)		22
(0.9)		35
(1.4)		102
(4.0)		184
(7.2)		1,705
(67.1)
Source: Climate-Data.ORG [10]

Geology

Mafia Island, and the associated archipelago were formed by rifting and uplift of part of the continental shelf during the Pleistocene. [1] [11]

Ecology

The main ecosystems on the island are mangrove swamps, coastal forests, scrublands, and grasslands. [1] A 115,000 ha area, encompassing Chole Bay, the southern coastline of Mafia and its associated smaller islands, along with the intervening marine waters, has been designated an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because it supports populations of western reef egrets, Terek sandpipers and crab plovers. [12] Mafia Island is home to fruitbats (flying foxes) of the genus Pteropus. [1]

History

Mafia Island is mentioned at least as early as the 8th century. The island once played a major role in ancient trade between the people of East Asia and East Africa. It was a regular stop for Arab boats. On the tiny island of Chole Mjini, just offshore in Chole Bay, once stood a settlement that constituted one of the most important towns controlling trade from the silver mines of Eastern Zimbabwe, which reached the town via the old ports of Kilwa and Michangani. [13] In the mid-1820s, the town of Kua on Juani Island was attacked by Sakalava cannibals arriving from Madagascar with 80 canoes, who ate many of the locals and took the rest into slavery. [13] A 3D documentation of the Kua Ruins on Juani Island was carried out in 2018 by the Zamani Project. [14]

Under a treaty of 1890, Germany took control of Mafia and constructed the buildings still evident on Chole. Germany paid Sultan Sayyid Ali bin Said al-Said of Zanzibar M4 million for both the island and part of the mainland coast. On January 12, 1915, Mafia was taken by British troops as a base for the air and sea assault on the light cruiser Königsberg.The name "Mafia" derives from the Arabic morfiyeh, meaning "group" or "archipelago"[ citation needed ], or from the Swahili mahali pa afya, meaning "a healthy dwelling-place".

In 1995, Mafia Island had financial help from the WWF to make a natural marine wildlife centre which led to establishment of the first Marine Park in Tanzania. The organization continued to provide support to the Island under Rufiji-Mafia-Kilwa (RUMAKI) [15] seascape project to improve socio-economic well-being of the communities through the sustainable, participatory and equitable utilization and protection of their natural resources. Under the current EU-WWF Fisheries Co-management Project, [16] the organization aims at building effective long-term fisheries co-management through establishment of 10 Beach Management Units and to continue supporting Village Community Banks (VICOBA) in the Island to generate optimal, sustainable and equitable livelihood benefits, and which provide a source of lesson-learning for other coastal communities. The WWF Mafia office is under three technical staff - Paul Kugopya (Mafia Fisheries Co-management Officer), Marko Gideon [17] (EU-WWF Fisheries Co-management Project Communication/Awareness Officer) and Renatus Rwamugira (Project Accountant for Mafia).

Tanzania's first multi-user marine park at Mafia Island was established in 1995 following management recommendations and data from surveys conducted by the Society for Environmental Exploration. [18] In August 2016, a diver, Alan Sutton, from Seaunseen, who had originally been looking for the remains of an old fort rumoured to have been washed away to sea, instead came across the remains of a wall stretching almost 4 km off Mafia Island. The discovery was detailed in a blog post by Sutton, with images showing remnants of the wall. [19]

Transport

An aerial view of Mafia Island airport. Mafia Airport Aerial View.jpg
An aerial view of Mafia Island airport.

Airport

The island's Mafia Airport can be reached from Dar es Salaam by flights operated by Auric Air [20] Tropical Air and Coastal Aviation. [21]

Port of Mafia Island

Boats depart depending on the presence of the boat from the village of Nyamisati on the mainland to Kilindoni on Mafia island. As of 2021 the departure from Nyamisati is 16:00 p.m. with a roll call between 15:00-16:00 p.m. The journey takes approximately 4.5 hours. Tickets are purchased beforehand in Nyamisati at a cost of 16,000 Tsh one way.

See also

Sources

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kilwa Kisiwani</span> Island, hamlet and a former Swahili city-state in Lindi Region, Tanzania.

Kilwa Kisiwani is an island, national historic site, and hamlet community located in the township of Kilwa Masoko, the district seat of Kilwa District in the Tanzanian region of Lindi in southern Tanzania. Kilwa Kisiwani is the largest of the nine hamlets in the town of Kilwa Masoko and is also the least populated hamlet in the township with fewer than 1,000 residents.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rufiji River</span> Largest and longest river in Tanzania

The Rufiji River lies entirely within Tanzania. It is also the largest and longest river in the country. The river is formed by the confluence of the Kilombero and Luwegu rivers. It is approximately 600 kilometres (370 mi) long, with its source in southwestern Tanzania and its mouth on the Indian Ocean opposite Mafia Island across the Mafia Channel, in Pwani Region. Its principal tributary is the Great Ruaha River. It is navigable for approximately 100 kilometres (62 mi).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kilwa District, Lindi</span> District of Lindi Region, Tanzania

Kilwa District is one of six administrative districts of Lindi Region in Tanzania. The District covers an area of 15,000 km2 (5,800 sq mi). The district is comparable in size to the land area of the nation state of East Timor. Kilwa district is bordered to the north by Rufiji District in Pwani Region, to the east by the Indian Ocean, to the south by the Lindi District, Nachingwea District together with Ruangwa District, and to the west by the Liwale District. The district borders every other district in Lindi Region except Lindi Municipal District. The district seat (capital) is the town of Kilwa Masoko. The district is named after the medieval Swahili city state of Kilwa Kisiwani. According to the 2012 census, the district has a total population of 190,744. By 2022, the population had increased to 297,676.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pwani Region</span> Region of Tanzania

Pwani Region is one of Tanzania's 31 administrative regions. The word "Pwani" in Swahili means the "coast". With the town of Kibaha serving as the capital, the region borders the Tanga Region to the north, Morogoro Region to the west, Lindi Region to the south, and surrounds Dar es Salaam Region to the east. The Indian Ocean also borders the region to its northeast and southeast. The region is home to Mafia Island, the Rufiji delta and Saadani National Park. The region is home to Bagamoyo town, a historical Swahili settlement, and the first colonial capital of German East Africa. According to the 2012 national census, the region had a population of 1,098,668, which was slightly lower than the pre-census projection of 1,110,917. From 2002 to 2012, the region's 2.2 percent average annual population growth rate was the seventeenth-highest in the country. It was also the 21st most densely populated region with 34 people per square kilometre., According to the 2022 census the population had nearly doubled to 2,024,947. The region is slightly larger than Belgium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mafia District</span> District of Pwani Region, Tanzania

Mafia District Council is one of eight administrative districts of Pwani Region in Tanzania. It administers not only the main Mafia Island but the entire Mafia Archipelago. The District covers an area of 642.6 km2 (248.1 sq mi). The Sea of Zanj completely encircles the District. Rufiji District is located on the other side of the Mafia Channel to the west. The district is comparable in size to the land area of Saint Lucia. The town of Kilindoni serves as its administrative capital. The District is home to the largest concentration of Whale Sharks in Africa, Mafia Island Marine Park, Historic Chole Island Ruins, Kisimani Mafia and Kua Ruins; and Mlola Forest Reserve. According to the 2012 Tanzania National Census, the population of the District was 46,438.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ras Mkumbi Lighthouse</span> Historic Lighthouse in Pwani Region, Tanzania

The Ras Mkumbi Lighthouse is a historic lighthouse located on the northern tip of Mafia Island on Kanga ward of Mafia District in the Pwani Region of Tanzania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Historic Sites of Tanzania</span> List of National Heritage Sites of Tanzania

National Historic Sites of Tanzania is an official list of places in Tanzania that have been designated as National Historic Sites as per the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism of Tanzania under the Antiquities Division. The list is not complete and is currently being updated.

Kisimani Mafia is a national historic site located in Miburani ward in the Mafia Archipelago of Pwani Region's Mafia District. They are Mafia's oldest ruins, which are close to the district's capital of Kilindoni. The earliest strata of mosques, according to archaeologist Neville Chittick who performed excavations there in the 1950s, date from about the tenth and eleventh centuries. However, many of them have since been washed into the Mafia Channel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chole Island Ruins</span> National Historic Site of Tanzania

Chole Island Ruins is a national historic site located on Chole Island of Jibondo ward in Mafia District of Pwani Region in Tanzania. The ruined mosques are from the 14th century, whereas other remains that have survived are often considerably more recent, from the 18th century. Even though the remains are in disrepair and are difficult to navigate, the largest standing ruin is a massive double-story building with stone staircases and a labyrinth of anterooms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mafia Archipelago</span> Archipelago of Pwani Region, Tanzania

The Mafia Archipelago or The Mafia Islands is a group of islands across the Mafia Channel in the Mafia District of Pwani Region's coast on the Sea of Zanj in Tanzania's Indian Ocean coast. The archipelago is composed of 9 islands and around 12 coral reefs. In total, the Mafia archipelago covers 972 km2 (375 sq mi) in total, of which 8.5 km2 (3.3 sq mi) 407 km2 are land and 565 km2 are water. and has an average elevation of 53 m (174 ft). Of the 12 reefs in the archipelago the most famous one is the Tutia Reef. The largest island in the archipelago is Mafia Island also known as Chole Shamba locally. The other eight islands inside Mafia District in addition to Mafia Island are; Juani Island, Chole Island, Jibondo Island (Kibondo), Bwejuu Island, Shungumbili Island (Thanda), Barakuni Island, Miewi Island, and Niororo Island (Nyororo).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Juani Island</span> Island of the Mafia Archipelago in Pwani Region, Tanzania

Juani Island is an island of the Mafia Archipelago located in Jibondo ward of Mafia District in southern Pwani Region of Tanzania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kua Ruins</span> National Historic Site of Tanzania

Kua or Ruins of Kua is a Medieval Swahili, National Historic Site located in Jibondo ward of Mafia District in Pwani Region of Tanzania. The site is located on Juani Island of the Mafia Archipelago. As of 2016, the site is currently on the list of 50 at-risk cultural heritage sites in 36 countries.

Chole Island or Chole Mjini Island is an island of the Mafia Archipelago located in Jibondo ward of Mafia District in southern Pwani Region of Tanzania. A fossil coral reef that was uncovered at the conclusion of the last ice age, around 12,000 years ago, served as the foundation for the 2.26 km2 island of Chole. It has been a part of the Mafia Island Marine Park for a very long time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jibondo Island</span> Island of the Mafia Archipelago in Pwani Region, Tanzania

Jibondo Island is an island of the Mafia Archipelago located in Jibondo ward of Mafia District in southern Pwani Region of Tanzania. After Juani Island, which is to its east, the island is the third largest in the archipelago. Mafia Island is to the north, and the Mafia Channel is to the west and south. Jibondo ward is named after the island. The island is part of the Mafia Island Marine Park. A 15th-century Swahili mosque's ruins may be found on Jibondo Island, which is close to the coast.

Bwejuu Island is an island of the Mafia Archipelago located in Kilindoni ward of Mafia District in southern Pwani Region of Tanzania. After Jibondo Island, which is to its east, the island is the fourth largest in the archipelago. Mafia Island is to the east, and the Mafia Channel is to the west and south of the island.

Barakuni Island or in some maps as Mbarakuni Island is a protected island of the Mafia Archipelago located in Kirongwe ward of Mafia District in southern Pwani Region of Tanzania. The island is not part of the Mafia Island Marine Park.

Miewi Island is an island of the Mafia Archipelago located in Baleni ward of Mafia District in southern Pwani Region of Tanzania. The island has a small islet to the south east. The Island is located at the mouth of Chole Bay and is bordered to the north is Mafia Island. To the south is Juani Island and to the east is the sea of Zanj. Many locations, particularly off Miewi island, were used for the majority of the sport fishing industry in the islands. However, Tutia reef was regarded to be the best fishing location.

Niororo Island or spelled in some maps as Nyororo Island is an island of the Mafia Archipelago located in Kirongwe ward of Mafia District in southern Pwani Region of Tanzania. The island has a small islet to the south east. The Island is located north of Shungumbili Island and is bordered to the north is Mafia Island. To the south is Juani Island and to the east is the sea of Zanj. Many locations, particularly off Miewi island, were used for the majority of the sport fishing industry in the islands. However, Tutia Reef was regarded to be the best fishing location.

Kwale Island also known as Kuvala Island is a historic island located inside the Mafia Channel, in Kisiju ward of Mkuranga District in southern Pwani Region of Tanzania. 7.1 square kilometres is the size of Kwale Island.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Kock, Dieter; Stanley, William T. (2009). "Mammals of Mafia Island, Tanzania". Mammalia. 73 (4): 339–352. doi:10.1515/MAMM.2009.046. S2CID   83780678.
  2. ↑ "Mafia in Detail: History". Lonely Planet. Archived from the original on 24 March 2021.
  3. ↑ "Mafia (District, Tanzania) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map and Location". www.citypopulation.de. Retrieved 2024-02-11.
  4. ↑ "2002 POPULATION AND HOUSING CENSUS- General Report". tanzania.go.tz. Archived from the original on 2007-06-10. Retrieved 2016-02-03.
  5. ↑ Administrator. "Policies". mca-t.go.tz. Archived from the original on 2012-04-25.
  6. ↑ "Pwani Region: Basic Demographic and Socio-Economic Profile (2012 Population and Housing Census)". nbs.go.tz. Office of Chief Government Statistician, National Bureau of Statistics (Tanzania). 2016.
  7. ↑ "Mafia Island". theafricaspecialists.com. The Africa Specialists. 19 February 2013. Archived from the original on 5 August 2020.
  8. ↑ Kingdom, Sarah (22 November 2020). "Why You Should Add Mafia Island To Your Travel Bucket List". travelawaits.com. Travel Awaits. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021.
  9. ↑ "Mafia Island". Sailing Directions (enroute) for East Africa and the South Indian Ocean. Hydrographic/Topographic Center, Defense Mapping Agency (US). 1983. p.  95.
  10. ↑ "Kilindoni" . Retrieved July 26, 2017.
  11. ↑ Sii, Petrus; Underhill, John R. (2015). "Role of Punctuated Subsidence and Structural Inversion in Creating East African Spice Islands". 77th EAGE Conference and Exhibition. 77th EAGE Conference and Exhibition 2015. European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers. pp. 1–5. doi:10.3997/2214-4609.201412973. ISBN   978-94-6282-146-0. OCLC   7378154858.
  12. ↑ "Mafia Island". BirdLife Data Zone. BirdLife International. 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  13. 1 2 "Mafia Island – Indian Ocean, Tanzania" . Retrieved 2020-05-28.
  14. ↑ "Kua Ruins - Remains from a medieval Swahili town on Juani Island, Tanzania". Zamani Project. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  15. ↑ "WWF - Rufiji-Mafia-Kilwa Seascape Programme, Tanzania". panda.org.
  16. ↑ "European Union". europa.eu. Archived from the original on 2016-03-16. Retrieved 2013-09-19.
  17. ↑ Mark Shekalaghe. "Tembelea Tanzania". safiritz.blogspot.com.
  18. ↑ "Frontier : Conservation, Education and Exploration » About Frontier: Conservation and Development NGO » Tangible Conservation & Development Achievements". 12 October 2007. Archived from the original on 12 October 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  19. ↑ Osborne, Hannah (13 May 2016). "Diver in Tanzania discovers ancient city submerged beneath the sea off Mafia Island".
  20. ↑ "Auric Air". Auric Air Services Ltd. March 30, 2012. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  21. ↑ "Coastal Aviation". August 5, 2017.
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