Makunduchi

Makunduchi is a Tanzanian town, located the southestern tip of Unguja (Zanzibar Island), south of Jambiani. The town comprises two distinct settlements, about 2 km from each other, "Old Makunduchi" and "New Makunduchi". Old Makunduchi is just a small fishermen's village, while New Makunduchi has some modern buildings, shops, as well as some blocks of flats that were built in the 1970s with the aid of East German funds and engineers.^[1]

Makunduchi is mostly known for the Mwaka Kogwa celebrations, of Persian heritage, that take place every year to celebrate the end of the year.^[2] In Mwaka Kogwa, a ritual battle is fought, at the end of which a hut is burned. Then, predictions are made for the new year, based on the direction taken by the smoke.

see the Makunduchi project www.makunduchiproject.com ; a UK funded project to support the Makunduchi hospital.

Footnotes

1. ^ C. McIntyre and S. McIntyre, Zanzibar, Bradt. See
2. ^ The Mwaka Kogwa Festival in Makunduchi