Day 4 - Kageye, Slave Trade Port and Jiwe Kuu (Big Rock)

Today we planned to go to Kageye, a historical site where remnants of the Slave Trade existed. But first we stopped in Mwanza city centre to visit the Maasai market. Although the plan was to see some traditional beading being done and to arrange for a presentation of Maasai singers, we got a bit side-tracked. You see, at this market, not only do the Masai sell beautiful jewelry and beaded sandals, they also sell traditional medicine. With the help of Delphine translating for me, I picked up two concoctions to help rid me of this ongoing sinus issue. I have been instructed to drink a special 'tea' made from a particular powder and to snort another powder, twice a day for three days. Delphine is very sceptical, but at this point, I'm ready to try just about anything. Wish me luck!
The Masai lady who was organizing the singers took a very long time, so we decided to schedule the performance for later. We then picked up a quick lunch of chipas (fried potatoes) and a form of bbq chicken to take with us. Our very bumpy journey to Kageye allowed me to get a close up view of Lake Victoria, the second largest fresh-water lake in the world (after our own Lake Superior).  Kageye was the site where Arab traders from Uganda arrived to pick up and deliver African slaves - until 1875, when Stanley, a European missionary, arrived with men and rifles and is rumoured to have put a stop to the horrors. Visible along the tour, are a variety of tombstones marking the graves of a number of Europeans who passed away, as well as the gravesite of Chief Kaduma Nguku(1883) and his wife. Still growing today, is the 'hanging tree' where many slaves lost their lives. Evidence of the Arab, Sukuma, and European cultures can be found throughout the site, particularly at the entrance where the three pillars below represent each cultural influence. Under this picture is a replica of Stanley's tent.

 

After this enlightening tour, we made our way back to Mwanza where we then went to Jiwe Kuu (Big Rock). Mwanza, Tanzania's second largest city, is known for its enormous boulders - giving it its nickname 'Rock City'. At this particular location, besides providing a fabulous view of the surrounding area, legend has it a former king stepped on to the rock and left his footprint. We, however, were unable to find the evidence. Below are some pictures from this vantage point.