Mafia Island -Tanzania’s Unspoilt Archipelago
Mafia Island, placed off the delta of the Rufiji River in southern Tanzania, is an ideal getaway destinations for anyone wishing to explore one of the world’s few unspoilt islands. The island is located about 120 km from Dar es Salaam and is one of the six districts of Tanzania’s Pwani Region.
The island of Mafia’s economy is primarily based on agriculture and fishing. Fishing is controlled in the southern area of the island within the confines of the Mafia National Marine Park. The Mafia has a rich history that goes way back to the 18th century when it formed an integral role as a training centre for the people of Persia and East Africans.
The island was a regular stop for Arab and Persian dhows plying the coastal waters from the Gulf to Madagascar and Mozambique. Mafia island consists of one large island (394 sq km) and several smaller ones and it attracts tourists, mainly scuba divers and light sport fishermen.
Chole Bay, Mafia’s protected deep-water anchorage and the original harbour, is studded with islands and beaches. The refreshingly clear protected waters provide wonderful snorkeling, sailing and swimming. Chole island excursion is packed with numerous ancient ruins and it is a good starting point for Mafia Island tours.
The horseshoe-shaped island is ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving as well as underwater photography. The bay is part of Mafia National Marine Park which extends to the Kinasi Pass Wall, a sheltered bank reef sloping from 8 to 21 metres. Kinasi Pass Wall comprises many species of hard and soft corals and supports a great variety of marine life.
Many residents of Mafia call themselves Wambwera or Washirazi and claim to be the earliest inhabitants. They are found throughout the island, particularly in the north, where there also dwells a people calling themselves Wapokomo. In the south are small numbers of people who claim Arab descent, a handful of ‘Indian’ traders and a small number of Europeans engaged in the tourist industry or aid projects. Ethnic identity tends to shift not only because of population movements but also because of changing contexts or historical circumstances.
Kiswahili is the main language spoken in Mafia Island. However, the residents also speak a local dialect called Kingome. The friendly traditional culture in Mafia island has not changed much from ancient days. The island’s community tourism association makes a lot of effort to preserve the island. Mafia Island Marine Park is a protected area supported by the World Wide Fund for Nature. The Marine Park covers Chole Bay and the surrounding islands and forests.
Mafia Island’s other popular leisure activities include sports fishing, birdwatching, and visits to archaeological sites, villages, coconut plantations, local villages, and traditional boat-building yards. For diving enthusiasts, the best season for diving is from October to the end of March. The Island has two rain seasons: the long rains between March and April, and the long rains from October to Mid-December. Mafia island is easily accessible by road and air from Dar es Salaam and Arusha all the year round.