An image from the inside of The Great Mosque of Kilwa Kisiwani looking up at an angle to see the sky through the missing pieces of the dome.

About this experience

The Great Mosque of Kilwa Kisiwani

Kilwa Kisiwani, Tanzania

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English Kiswahili

Published: 2025 (v1)

Story outline

  • Welcome to The Great Mosque

    The Great Mosque of Kilwa Kisiwani is the oldest standing mosque in sub-Saharan Africa and reflects Kilwa's historical importance as a trade hub and is home to a vibrant community.

  • Stop 1. A Rich and Layered History

    The Great Mosque consists of two joint structures, with its extension showcasing Kilwa’s pivotal role in the Indian Ocean trade and Islamisation of East Africa.

  • Stop 2. Cleansing Before Worship

    Before entering the mosque, worshippers must cleanse themselves in the ablution area before prayer, using water from nearby wells and drying their feet on special stones.

  • Stop 3. Exploring the Original Mosque

    The "Old Mosque," built between the 11th and 12th centuries, featured a flat roof and key architectural elements still present in modern mosques, such as the Qibla orientation toward Mecca.

  • Stop 4. Expansion of Trade & Structure

    Built in 1320, the mosque’s extension was a symbol of Kilwa’s prosperity as a trade port, with 42 columns and 36 domes, and was the largest mosque south of the Sahara at the time.

  • Stop 5. Architectural Adornments

    The mosque’s architecture reflects Kilwa’s trade connections, incorporating ornate porcelain bowls and showcasing a mix of rounded and barrel domes.

  • Stop 6. Different Perspectives

    The “New Mosque” includes a large dome and two ablution areas, with a debate between scholars and members of the local community over the specific use of these spaces in the mosque.

  • Stop 7. Community Conservation Efforts

    Conservation efforts at the Kilwa Kisiwani ruins are supported by both the local community and international funding to train locals in restoration techniques to preserve the mosque’s integrity.

  • Stop 8. Conclusion

    The mosque is a revered space for both locals seeking blessings and tourists learning about Kilwa’s role in spreading Islamic and Swahili culture.

Voices

  • A bald man with sunglasses looks into the camera with a straight face. He has a short goatee and wears a beige t-shirt with an image of Africa on the left side.

    Revocatus Weja Bugumba

    Head: Museum, Monuments and Sites, Southern Zone Regions, National Museum of Tanzania

  • A woman with dark hair in a bun looks into the camera with a soft smile. She wears a beige collared shirt with a circular logo on the left side.

    Mercy Mbogelah

    Site Manager, Kilwa Kisiwani Ruins

    Mercy Mbogelah is a climate heritage expert and conservator for the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara, where she leads efforts to conserve and protect the archaeological sites.
  • A man wearing traditional Islamic attire with a blue and white taqiyah on his head looks straight into the camera. He wears a maroon thobe with black around the collar.

    Masoudi Issa Abeid

    Kilwa Kisiwani Village Chairman

  • A man with a shaved head looks into the camera with a straight face. He has a short goatee and wears a button down shirt with thin red, blue, and white stripes.

    Mzee Said Hamisi

    Kilwa Kisiwani Ruins Committee Chairman

  • A man wearing traditional Islamic attire with a beige taqiyah on his head looks straight into the camera. He wears a plain white thobe.

    Abdalla Ahmadi

    Local Tour Guide

  • An elderly man wearing a beige and white taqiyah on his head looks straight into the camera. He wears a white button down.

    Hassani Rahama

    Kilwa Kisiwani Village Elder

Partners

About the Project

The Great Mosque of Kilwa Kisiwani is the oldest standing mosque in sub-Saharan Africa. It stands as a symbol of Kilwa’s historical significance as a trade hub and center of Islamic influence in East Africa. The mosque consists of two main sections, with features like 42 columns and 36 domes. Today, the mosque remains a central place of worship and cultural heritage within the community that also support on-going conservation efforts.

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Credits

This Tapestry experience was created as part of the Local Voices, Global Reach: Cultural Heritage in American Spaces and Beyond project with support from the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP), the U.S. Embassy in Tanzania, the National Museum of Tanzania, and the Tanzanian Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA). This project was led by Revocatus W. Bugumba of the National Museum of Tanzania, who identified and coordinated the following trainees and participants who produced the resulting experience. 3D Capture and Storytelling Team: Abel Albert, Amos Kanju, Brighton Kawiche, Charles Majaliwa, Edgar Chatanda, Emmanuel Francis, Gilman Uliki, Jabir Hilal, Kevin Fella, Mercy Mbogelah, Shomari Rajabu, Winfrida Msaki. A special thank you to members of the Kilwa Kisiwani Community who shared their experiences and expertise to help create this experience.

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