Кариаку: История и современность района Дар-эс-Салама

Ward of Ilala District, Dar es Salaam Region

Kariakoo (Kata ya Kariakoo, in Swahili) is an administrative ward of the Ilala Municipical Council of the Dar es Salaam Region in Tanzania. Jangwani ward and Mchafukoge ward form the ward's northern and eastern boundaries. The Gerezani and Mchikichini wards border the ward to the south and west respectively. The ward is the home of Simba Sports Club. The name is derived from the swahilization of the British colonial occupation's "Carrier Corps", that used to be based in the area. Today, Kariakoo is mainly known for its large market that spans several city blocks. According to the 2012 census, the ward has a population of 13,780.

The ward serves as the Zaramo people's ancestral home, along with much of the district. As the city developed throughout time, the ward became into a cosmopolitan ward. In total, 13,780 people called the ward home in 2012.

In pre colonial times there was a large village in the area now known as Kariakoo. This village was frequently raided by slave traders. In the latter half of the 19th century, the area became a shamba (farm) belonging to the Sultan of Zanzibar. During German rule, 200 hectares of the shamba were bought by a German businessman named Schoeller, who rented the land to the Africans. At the same time, Dar es Salaam began to grow, and while Europeans built their houses in exclusive areas such as Oyster Bay, Kariakoo became Dar's main African settlement. In 1913, 15.000 out of the total 24.000 African inhabitants of Dar lived in Kariakoo. In 1914 the German administration bought Kariakoo from Schoeller, with the intent of creating a formal African township according to the general segregationist strategy being applied German East Africa. Concrete houses were built to accommodate the African population, and at that same time the market was established; yet, the advent of First World War delayed its actual opening. In 1916 the British conquered Dar es Salaam, and Kariakoo was used as a base for the Carrier Corps. In 1923 the market built by the Germans finally began to function. In the 1970s it was substantially restructured.

Kariakoo hosts an extensive market which is a major contribution to Dar es Salaam's economy. The market is located on 67 Swahili Street. Kariakoo also hosts the Tanzania Postal Bank on Msimbazi Street. Kariakoo is served by the Kamata Train Station located on Msimbazi Street just outside of the ward. Kariakoo has good transport links due to the Dar es Salaam bus rapid transit service offered just outside of the ward.

It is the busiest and the biggest market that contributes substantially to Dar es Salaam's food provision as well as a small scale economy. Until recently Kariakoo was also one of the main dala dala "stations" in Dar es Salaam, although this has now been moved to south east of Mawasiliano as the Mawasiliano bus terminal. Seeing how well the business is going. The Kariakoo Market Corp are soon set to open another new market at Mbezi Beach area at the cost of Sh500m.