Local History: Tanzania’s best-kept secret that foreigners are snapping up

TANZANIA, a country blessed with stunning landscapes, wildlife, and cultural richness, has one more hidden treasure – its historical sites.

But here’s the catch: while Tanzanians are busy visiting beaches, parks, and savannas, foreigners are paying top dollar to study the same history that many locals don’t even know exists.

It’s like discovering your own grandmother’s ancient recipes only to find out the world has already booked a flight to your kitchen for a taste! Take, for instance, the island of Zanzibar.

The Spice Tour? Tourists flock there, snapping photos and buying spices to take home. Yet, how many Tanzanians have taken the time to explore the rich history of this island — from its pivotal role in the spice trade to its colonial past? And don’t even get us started on the slaves who were auctioned off there.

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Wouldn’t it be cool if more Tanzanians took a day off from their busy lives to wander through the narrow alleys of Stone Town, soaking up the very history we all share? But it’s not just Zanzibar.

Historical sites like the Old Boma in Dar es Salaam, the Ngorongoro Crater, or the ancient ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani are not just UNESCO World Heritage sites—they are pieces of our own past.

Sadly, most locals only “visit” them when they’re hosting international visitors. Tanzanians, it’s time we recognize the value of these sites. The foreigners who come here pay money to study our history — a history we, ironically, sometimes overlook.

So, let’s stop letting the tourists have all the fun! Next time you’re planning a weekend getaway, why not check out your own backyard? The price is right, the history is yours, and you don’t even have to get a visa!

In the end, if foreigners are willing to pay for the privilege of learning about our past, surely we can invest a little time to appreciate the treasures right under our noses.