KILIMANJARO KUANZISHA MAKUMBUSHO YA MKOA KUHIFADHI HISTORIA, UTAMADUNI NA KUKUZA UTALII

The plan to establish a Kilimanjaro Regional Museum has entered a new phase after various stakeholders met to provide comments and suggestions to improve the implementation of the project, which is expected to become a center of history, culture and tourism information for the Kilimanjaro Region. The museum is expected to be established in the area of ​​the old Moshi District Council buildings, formerly known as Kilimanjaro District Council (KDC), through a project called Marejeo Research and Information Centre (MRIC). The project has been researched by the University of Dar es Salaam in collaboration with the University of Giessen from Germany, who have also contributed funds for the renovation of the buildings as well as research activities. The research has been conducted by researcher Brother Condradini Kwazo in collaboration with Dr. Valence Silayo. Speaking at the meeting, the Chairman of the Moshi District Council, Hon. John Meela (Chui) said that after the launch of the Museum, the citizens of Kilimanjaro Region, especially Moshi District, will have the opportunity to learn the history of their area, the heritage of indigenous communities as well as obtain important tourism information through the center. In addition, he said the plan will go hand in hand with the establishment of a Tourism and Culture Festival that will aim to strengthen and improve the concept of the “Chaga Day Festival”, a festival that will bring together Kilimanjaro residents who return home to celebrate the end-of-year holidays with their families every December. For his part, the Executive Director of the Moshi District Council, Brother Shadrack Mhagama, said the project will be among the council’s major strategic projects, while it is expected to be an attraction that will connect the people of Kilimanjaro Region and the Northern Zone in general through history, culture, natural resources and tourist attractions. In addition to museum services, the area is also expected to have a recreation and browsing park, a swimming pool with beautiful fish, a zoo, toy shops, areas for artisans and painters as well as traditional dance groups that will provide entertainment for visitors and locals. The project is being described as an important step in efforts to preserve the history of the communities of Kilimanjaro Region, honor the culture of the Chaga and other tribes of the Northern Region, as well as increase the contribution of cultural tourism to the economic development of the region.