Domoni

Location of Domoni on the island of Anjouan

Domoni (population 14,500) is the second largest city on the Comorian island of Anjouan, located on the east coast of the island.

History

Domoni was already an important trading centre in the fifteenth century with Africa and Asia^[1]. Until the end of the eighteenth century, it was the capital of the Anjouan sultanate. It is home to a significant chirazienne population descended from the Sunni aristocracy, Persia having left the town of Shiraz between the fourteenth and eighteenth centuries. The old town is divided into three neighbourhoods: Hari ya muji, Maweni and Momoni.

Domoni is home to a mosque, called Mkiri wa Chiraz, which is distinguished by having two mihrabs. It's Friday mosque has a minaret measuring 38.5 metres in height, the second minaret 25 metres. It is one of the rare towns in Anjouan that was defended by the town walls which protected it from attacks by Madagscan pirates.

Domoni is the birthplace of the first president of the Comorian Islands, Ahmed Abdallah, and of president Tadjidine ben Saïd Massonde.

Historical monuments

The mausoleum of Ahmed Abdallah Abderehmane. The town fortifications.

References

1. ^ Travel in Moroni Comoros Culture

Coordinates: 12°15′31″S 44°31′49″E / 12.25861°S 44.53028°E / -12.25861; 44.53028