Toten Island (
Swahili ''Kisiwa cha Toten'', adapted from
German
German(s) may refer to:
* Germany (of or related to)
**Germania (historical use)
* Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language
** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law
**Ger ...
''Toteninsel'', meaning "Island of the Dead") is a small uninhabited and protected island situated north of the city of
Tanga's harbour in
Tanga Region
Tanga Region (''Mkoa wa Tanga'' in Swahili) is one of Tanzania's 31 administrative regions. The region covers an area of . The region is comparable in size to the combined land area of the nation state of Burundi. The regional capital is the mun ...
,
Tanzania
Tanzania (; ), officially the United Republic of Tanzania ( sw, Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania), is a country in East Africa within the African Great Lakes region. It borders Uganda to the north; Kenya to the northeast; Comoro Islands and ...
. It is within the Tanga Bay. The island is administered by both the Tanzania Marine Parks and Reserves (Which is under the Misnistry of Natural Resources and Tourism) and the City of Tanga. The island is a historical site that contains ruins of two Medieval
Swahili mosques and tombs. The current name comes from the
German
German(s) may refer to:
* Germany (of or related to)
**Germania (historical use)
* Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language
** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law
**Ger ...
word for "dead bodies" alluding to the numerous graves on the island.
Until 1854 Toten Island was still inhabited by people. In 1884 the remaining people moved to what is present day Tanga city.
[http://www.urithi.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2&Itemid=1 ]
See also
*
Historic Swahili Settlements
*
National Historic Sites in 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 co ...
*
Swahili architecture
Swahili architecture is a term used to designate a whole range of diverse building traditions practiced or once practiced along the eastern and southeastern coasts of Africa. Rather than simple derivatives of Islamic architecture from the Arabic ...
References
Swahili people
Swahili city-states
Swahili culture
Uninhabited islands of Tanzania
Tanga, Tanzania
Geography of Tanga Region
National Historic Sites in Tanga Region
National Historic Sites in Tanzania
Islands of Tanga Region
Archaeological sites in Tanzania
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