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Tanzania: A Jewel in Africa

by McGough

If you have ever been on a cruise or traveled to a resort town, you have probably encountered jewelry shops showcasing the precious blue gemstone called tanzanite. This gemstone is only found in the northern part of Tanzania. Tanzanite, however, is not the only “jewel” one can find in Tanzania, a realization I quickly reached while I was visiting the East African country for three weeks this past May.

Coastal Carolina University students taking public health courses and statistics will have the opportunity to experience Tanzania for themselves in May 2018 as part of a new study abroad course. The students will explore a country that is abundantly diverse both in its terrain and its people.

Tanzania is home to some of the most amazing sights and wonders that one could ever imagine, and the experience is only heightened by exploring the country and meeting with its people. The country officially became Tanzania on Oct. 29, 1964, when Tanganyika, on the African continent, and Zanzibar, an archipelago of islands off the coast of Africa on the Indian Ocean, merged.

Exploring Zanzibar

Zanzibar has a rich but turbulent history that includes occupation by foreign powers and the enslavement of African people. Starting in the 15th century, Zanzibar was part of the Portuguese Empire, but by the 16th century, the Sultanate of Oman had taken it over, ruling the islands for about 200 years. As the focus turned to ending the enslavement of African people, Zanzibar became a protectorate of the British Empire, and the end of the slave trade became a reality.

Zanzibar’s role in the trade of spices and goods between Africa and the Middle East, together with its continual turnover of rulers, has lent to its rich diversity of peoples, religion and development of a unique language known as Kiswahili. Although Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, it is considered semi-autonomous, so although your Tanzania travel visa will grant you access, the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar welcomes you.

The main island of Zanzibar has Stone Town, which is a beautiful town that is known for narrow streets that have markets and old historic buildings. You are instantly struck by the sight of large, beautifully carved front doors that are indicative of either an Arabic, Indian or (in some cases) British past. Stone Town is home to Christ Church, an Anglican cathedral built where an old slave market once existed and the altar of which is believed to be set upon a whipping post from the time. A monument is erected there in memory of the slaves.

From Stone Town, you can make your way by motorboat to Prison Island, which was a former prison for slaves but is now a place where you can observe the giant land tortoises and other wildlife. Zanzibar is known for its spices and fruits. Here, one can tour a spice market, where you can learn about vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves and myriad succulent fruits.

Zanzibar is the birthplace of the late pop singer Freddie Mercury of Queen.

Dar es Salaam

When you arrive in Tanzania, after traveling for about 20 hours and making at least one stop along the way, you will probably land in Dar es Salaam. This city on the eastern mainland of Tanzania was once the capital city and is now the country’s commercial center. Although the capital city is currently Dodoma (located more centrally), Dar es Salaam continues to house government and international offices. As coastal cities go, Dar es Salaam is hot and humid, although it cools down a little in the rainy season between March and May.

In Dar es Salaam, you can travel to Oyster Bay, a beautiful area with picturesque beaches and imposing buildings where high-level ministers who work in the Tanzanian government live. This is also where the U.S. embassy is located. In the heart of the city lies the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, which houses an extensive database of demographic and health records. Here, students and faculty conduct health research on maternal and child health, HIV, environmental health, and other issues. In May, we look forward to engaging with Muhimbili University faculty to learn about public health good practices and other important concerns in the country and region.

The people of Tanzania are friendly and fiercely proud of their country’s diversity of ethnic groups, religious affiliations and languages (more than 100). Although English and Swahili are the official languages, it is evident that Swahili is the language of the people. During my time there, I was able to pick up some words of the lingua franca, which is seen on posters and billboards and heard everywhere.

The North

Throughout the country are myriad lakes, rivers and national parks. To the north, the gemstone tanzanite is mined. Also in the north are two mountains: Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro. At more than 19,000 feet, Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest peak in Africa and can be seen when you fly into Moshi. In the north, one can also find Lake Manyara, home to giraffes and hippos, and the Serengeti, which is known for the wildebeest and zebra migration from May until July.

In addition, the Ngorongoro Crater offers spectacular views from the crater rim and is home to the big five (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhinoceros). Other animals found there include hyenas, hippopotamus and wildebeest and such birds as ostriches, cranes, flamingos and secretary birds.

Traveling throughout the north, one has the opportunity to pass Massai villages, where the Massai tend their cattle and wildlife dressed in the colorful blankets that distinguish them from other groups of people in the region.

Bagamoyo

I spent most of my time in Bagamoyo, a beautiful coastal town known for its fishing villages. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Bagamoyo was a trading post for salt, ivory and enslaved Africans. Some say that the name Bagamoyo means “lose your heart,” which suggests a foreboding sense of finality, as it was the last stop before slaves were sent to Zanzibar to be sold to the Middle East and Asia. By the middle of the 19th century, the Germans used it as the capital of German East Africa; however, it was abandoned when the capital was moved to Dar es Salam. Today, amid the struggle of development, this town has become one of much promise and hope.

From a public health perspective, Tanzania, and specifically Bagamoyo, is an ideal setting to understand the social determinants of health. According to the 2016 United Nations Development Program Development Index Report, Tanzania ranks 151 out of 188 nations (the United States ranks 10th).

There are definitely some challenges in Tanzania that our students will benefit from observing and analyzing. In addition, students will be able to observe research of current and re-emerging diseases. One of the biggest concerns of coastal regions on the African continent is mosquito-borne illnesses. Bagamoyo is home to the Ifakara Health Institute, a state-of-the-art organization that is a leader in the study of mosquito-borne illnesses (malaria, dengue fever, filariasis and Zika), tuberculosis and HIV. I had the opportunity to tour the research and clinical trials facilities, where cutting-edge research is being conducted on drugs, diagnostics and vaccines about the aforementioned diseases.

Future Opportunities

For individuals interested in learning about public health concerns and practices in other countries, analyzing and interpreting statistical data, and understanding biochemistry, Tanzania is an ideal country! Students participating in the Tanzania study abroad in May 2018 will have front row seats to this exciting opportunity and visit a country that boasts four of the seven Natural Wonders of the African continent (the Serengeti Migration, Ngorogo Crater, Mount Kilimanjaro and the Nile River) – a true jewel in Africa.

Fredanna M’Cormack McGough, Ph.D., chair of CCU's Department of Health Sciences and associate professor of public health. can be reached at fmcorma@coastal.edu or 843-349-2991. 

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