Mbudya's tombs site for sacrifices
By Godfrey Kalagho of East Africa Procurement News

It was on a very hot day when I boarded a boat for Mbudya Island from the White Sands Hotel, on the Indian Ocean coast just a few kilometres from the centre of Dar es Salaam city. Because of the intense heat, that goes with the past noon heat typical of the tropical climate, birds had retreated to tree shades, and the waters of the ocean presented a picture of stillness.

Although I enjoy boat expeditions, I must confess one weakness. I can barely swim. The boat that took us to Mbudya roared monotonously, and because of intense heat, I had begun to sleep. The boat driven by an honorary ranger rumbled over the calm sea. Because I had been asleep, I was woken up by a panicking fellow passenger who uttered words which I could barely comprehend. 

Before I could size up what was going on, the worst came. “We have run out of petrol and the boat might sink anytime now”, warned the marine ranger. I felt the whole world collapsing. Packed in the boat with us were crates of beer, water, and other groceries. 

Thousands of messages must have gone through my brains, most of which were reflecting on how life has taken a twisting turn. Was it really the end of the road? Was I about to leave my beloved parents, brothers and sisters, friends and relatives? Although I can not call myself religious, I found myself on my knees praying to the almighty to save us from dying in the sea.

My greatest consternation was to be sunk alive under the sea in anticipation of making a good feed for the fish. I cursed myself for failing to take swimming instructions just as much as I cursed my luck for boarding the boat. All these reflections flashed in my mind like lightening! I prayed to God for immediate rescue. 

Indeed, God performed his wonders. Could I say the almighty sent angel Gabriel? From out of nowhere in what seemed like an abyss, the engine throttled. Still in total confusion, the driver of our boat came up with a soothing.” Cool down folks. It is a hoax. I was testing your reflexes.” 

I remained quite shaken up till we landed at Mbundya. To my great encouragement, we found the island full of tourists. Some came up with their entire families. I joined the club and forget my tribulations. We went for sight seeing with my colleague led by a tour guide.

Twenty metres off the Coast of Mbudya Island, lying on the stratified coral reef bed, an imposing arc of five huge baobab trees lay two ancient hut tombs believed to have been built by Sharifians sometime in the 17 th century. The ubiquitous baobab and the mystique tombs embedded on a coral seabed, has acquired its own magnificence, by turning into a meeting point for those who visit them with a belief that they are a source of good fortune. 

The tombs on a 50 acre uninhabited marine protected island of Mbudya resembles the hut tombs of the Kaole ruins found in Bagamoyo district, once a centre of slave trade in East Africa. 

The bare foreground like a football pitch in the desert where the tombs are located, signals frequent visits by various people of all races from all walks of life that go to the tombs in the belief of fulfilling rituals for untold good luckcs. The deserted quiet place is soothed by the cold sea breeze, piercing among the thick scattered forest.

The roof of one of the hut tombs that is semi-covered provides a vacuum for offering gifts into the ancient tomb. The inside is littered with broken dark pots and dry indigenous tree roots. 

“Those roots are left by traditional doctors who visit this place secretly at night using canoes”, said Mr. Hamis Aziz, an honorary ranger at the park. He said that famous businessmen, players from various sports clubs, and ordinary people having their personal problems do frequent the place during dark hours.

The Island has other attractive features which include various shades of natural and exotic trees eucalyptus and pine which provide home to a wide range of birds. Pigeons are in abundance. 

Mbudya’s topography provides a panoramic view of Kunduchi Beach and White Sands Hotels, harbouring on the coast of the Indian Ocean. The hotels are one of the biggest in Dar es Salaam.

The nets fastened between eucalyptuses trees provide a good place for those who need to relax. The island has ample opportunities for diving, snookering, playing volleyball and polo. Mbudya offers the cleanest beach on the coastal forest in the Indian Ocean which wipe out miseries and bad memories, which puts the visitor for a while on a heavenly paradise. 

The abundant marine bio-diversities like coconut crabs, live coral reefs and a variety of fish and dolphins reveal imagery life experienced by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

My colleague, who was complaining of flu, after some hours of swimming in the salty waters, startled me when he said the flu had eased. I learned later that sea waters have curative effects notably skin infections, flu and a chain of many others including eye diseases. 

Time passed by unnoticed because of many interesting activities. We had to be reminded by our guide that it was past 3 P.M. and that we must go for our lunch. 

The well fried chips and fish ingrained with various appetisers wetted my mouth. As I sat eating, I reflected on the boats hoax, a funny feeling passed through my head. Suppose the hoax was real, where would I be now?

After our lunch we played volleyball, and as evening was approaching our guide politely told us to prepare to return to Dar es Salaam. We took our boat and headed back to the vibrant city.

Wanaume! Wanaume! We heard sea men applauding as the 40 HP boat in which we were in approached Kunduchi Beach Hotel. We echoed Heee, as the boat slowed down before it anchored. We finally alighted from the boat leaving the beautiful Island deserted.