Trip to Bagamoyo

Bagamoyo is in the outskirts of Dar es Salaam. This historical town is located ~47 miles from Dar es Salaam. It was an important slave and ivory port and German headquarter between 1886-1891. The name of Bagamoyo comes from the in Shwahili words "bwaga moyo" which means "Throw down your heart." It was heard among those who were captured as slaves showing their unknown future life.

Bagamoyo also has what is considered the first church in the coast of east Africa built in 1868. "In 1868, Bagamoyo local rulers, known as majumbe, presented the Catholic "Fathers of the Holy Ghost" with land for a mission north of the town, the first mission in East Africa. This caused resistance by the native Zaramo people which was mediated by representatives of Sultan Majid and, after 1870, by Sultan Barghash. Originally the mission was intended to house children who were rescued from slavery, but it soon expanded to a church, a school, and some workshops and farming projects." (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bagamoyo)

Aside from Bagamoyo's history, we had other incredible discoveries.

Our first stop was in a "Crocodile Ranch." Yes!! as you read. Believe it or not, this place holds crocodiles from 1 month old to 52 years old to be sold to China and the locals. What do they do with it? It looks like it meat is a delicacy, and therefore the go here and buy it to be cooked.



 Now, please welcome our friends the Crocos!! :)




From the 'rancher' we got two interesting facts:

1- Their tongues are not free but held in place by a membrane which limits movement; as a result, crocodiles are unable to stick out their tongues.^[8]  For more interesting info go to: Do Crocodiles Have Tongues?

2- When they have their mouth open it means: I AM HUNGRY!! FEED ME!! So it looked like we were tasty :)

The Rancher and David..Hmm

 

 

 

 

 

Mama...Crocs are cute!!

Also if you are curious about the Crocodile Ranch in Bagamoyo, here is a cool youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mzJMil1EVA

Crocodiles have friends!! These nice yellow birds (I know... you can barely see it) have their nests built next to them. Even they fly over and land on them!!


After the Croc Ranch, we stopped at a little arts&crafts stand on the road.