Arusha is a multicultural region with a majority Tanzanian population of mixed backgrounds: indigenous African, Arab-Tanzanian and Indian-Tanzanian population, plus a small European and North American minority population. Religions of the Arusha region population includeChristianity,Islam,Sikhism andHinduism.
Arusha clock tower area, 1953.The Arusha clock tower in the Central Business Area of Arusha City, 2005.
The current site of Arusha was first settled in the 1830s by the agro-pastoral ArushaMaasai from theArusha Chini community, south ofMount Kilimanjaro.[4]: page 112 They traded grains, honey, beer, and tobacco with the pastoralKisongoMaasai in exchange for livestock, milk, meat, and skins. Demand for Arusha's foodstuffs increased substantially during the 1860s when thePangani Valley trade route was extended through Old Moshi, Arusha, and ultimately to western Kenya.[4]: page 112 Although not yet a town, it was a regional centre with a number of urban features.[clarification needed][4]: page 113
Arusha was conquered by the Germans in 1896 after the murder of the first two missionaries who attempted to settle on nearbyMount Meru. The Germans established a permanent presence in 1900 when a military fort (aboma) was built and soldiers were garrisoned there.[4]: page 113 "Theboma was a solid statement, meant to impress German moral and political order on the surrounding countryside. Set on a rise overlooking the plains, the fortress-like building dominated the surrounding landscape" complete with a machine gun.[4]: page 113
Many Africans were forcibly displaced from their ancestral lands by the Germans and forced to dig lime or carry stones to construct the fort. The British took Arusha from the Germans in 1916 duringWorld War I. German officials left the area, the British deported German missionaries and settlers, and only a skeletal military administration of the town remained.[4]: page 114
During the 1920s, civilian administration was implemented, missionaries from the United States arrived, British and Greek settlers reoccupied the former German farms, and the town grew, especially after the British moved the regional administration from New Moshi to Arusha. The extension of the railroad from Moshi to Arusha in 1928-29 greatly increased commerce.[4]: page 114 TheGreat Depression soon squelched commerce and Arusha in 1940 had fewer than 2,000 residents. Growth resumed duringWorld War II and by 1948, the population had increased to more than 5,000.[4]: page 115
In 1952, a partial census was conducted in Tanganyika, covering cities and towns. Arusha's population at the time was 7,797, of whom 1,084 were Europeans, 3,153 were Asians, and 3,560 native Africans.[5]
By the 1950s, Arusha was "apolyglot, westernized little town; it has a Greek community, several Germans predating World War I, and someGerman Jewish refugees post-dating World War II."[6] A state of emergency was declared in the Arusha region in 1953 in response to theMau Mau Uprising. JournalistJohn Gunther noted at the time that "a loyal tribe, the Waarusha, threatened to take violent countermeasures against the Kikuyus themselves, if the British did not. The authorities arrested the leading Mau Mau conspirators, screened thousands more, and deported other thousands back to Kenya."[6]
Arusha has been a crucial city in the history of modern Tanzania. Official documents ceding independence toTanganyika were signed by the United Kingdom at Arusha in 1961. TheArusha Declaration was signed in 1967 in Arusha. TheArusha Accords were signed at the city of Arusha on 4 August 1993, by representatives of competing factions in the Rwandan civil war.[citation needed]
East African Legislative Assembly.
The Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement forBurundi was signed on 28 August 2000 as part of a process forging peace in that country through power sharing and establishing a transitional government.[citation needed]
The January 2015 Arusha Agreement for South Sudan created a framework for the reunification of South Sudan's ruling SPLM party, which had splintered into three creating a humanitarian crisis as fighting between factions intensified. It provided that all SPLM members who were dismissed be reinstated to their previous positions and a secret ballot system be adopted.[7]
In 1994, the UN Security Council decided by itsResolution 955 of 8 November 1994 that Arusha should host thead hocInternational Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. The establishment of the tribunal with its foreign employees has influenced the local economy of the city increasing the cost of living for residents. The tribunal has downsized due to its closure in 2014, but its legal successor, the United NationsInternational Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals established byUnited Nations Security Council Resolution 1966, will continue entertaining a branch in Arusha, opening on 1 July 2012. The tribunal indicted 93 individuals and sentenced 62.[8]
TUN International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, Arusha.
The Tanzanian government intended to declare Arusha a city on 1 July 2006,[9] but this was delayed due to pending municipality boundary adjustments. Arusha was granted city status on 15 August 2012, with it becoming official on 2 November 2012.[10]
In 2013, a quarry located in Arusha collapsed and killed 14 miners after heavy rain.[11]
Mount Meru in the background of the city of Arusha.
Aircraft at Arusha Airport.Arusha City Central Bus Terminal
Arusha is served by two airports: theKilimanjaro International Airport for international air travellers, some 60 kilometres (37 mi) east, approximately halfway toMoshi. The airport provides international and domestic flights.Arusha Airport is a regional air hub in the west of the city, and serves more than 87,000 passengers yearly.
The city hosts the National Natural History Museum, which contains three exhibits on early man, plants and animals of the region, and the history of the city.[17] The Natural National History Museum used to be an administration outpost for theGermans in the 1900s. It was opened in 1987 as a public museum and displays important assets to the scientific community such as models ofAustralopithecus people, human ancestors that lived over 2 million years ago.[18] It is also home to a giant tortoise, over 100 years old, which freely roams the grounds.
A small museum adjacent to the Uhuru monument displays information about the proceedings of the 1967Arusha Declaration.
TheArusha Cultural Heritage Centre is a large privately run art gallery in a striking building, resembling the Guggenheim museum whilst drawing on African symbols (drum, spear, and shield). It holds a wide range of African art, including from the Tanzanian TingaTinga school. Exhibits are for sale and there is not a permanent collection.
The Arusha Lutheran Medical Center in downtown Arusha.
Most Arushan children attend public schools located in almost every ward of the city. There are five international schools in and around Arusha:International School Moshi (Arusha Campus), Arusha Meru International School, Braeburn School, St Constantine's International School, andKennedy House International School.
Arcadia University hosts a film course that has led to the creation of the Arusha African Film Festival, which allows people to come and watch films created by local people. The guidelines allows a multitude of filmmakers to be taken into account for awards, and each year a new theme is chosen for the festival. The AAFF is connected to the East African Film Festival, which also gives ample opportunity for awards and credit to young filmmakers.[21]
Despite its proximity to theequator, Arusha's elevation of 1,400 metres (4,600 ft) on the southern slopes of Mount Meru keeps temperatures relatively low and alleviates humidity. Cool dry air is prevalent for much of the year. The temperature typically ranges between 10 and 30 °C (50 and 86 °F) with an average annual high temperature around 25 °C or 77 °F. It has distinct wet and dry seasons, and experiences an eastern prevailing wind from theIndian Ocean, a few hundred kilometres east. Under theKöppen climate classification system, it has asubtropical highland climate (Cwb). Areas away from Arusha to the south and west are classified astropical savanna climate (Aw).
The record[23] high since records began in 2000 is 39 °C or 102.2 °F. The record low is 7 °C or 44.6 °F. Arusha averages 29.8 days per year above 32 °C or 89.6 °F – all between November and March. Arusha's annual rainfall average is 1,180 millimetres (46.46 in), mostly coming during the long rainy season from March to May. Areas immediately to the north and northeast of Arusha can see more rain and cooler temperatures due to the influence of Mt. Meru, whose rain shadow extends toward the southeast side of the mountain.
A street in Arusha town.
Arusha and the northern highlands of Tanzania experience a bimodal rainfall pattern, with two rainy seasons. Many crops are planted twice per year. The longmasika rains from March through May are more reliable in Arusha than in surrounding areas because of the influence of Mt. Meru. The shortvuli rains are less reliable, usually coming in November and December. The drykiangazi season is June to October.
Higher elevation areas north and northeast of the city are home to farmers growing bananas, coffee, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, leafy greens, and other vegetables.
Cultivation in areas to the northwest, west, southwest, south, and southeast focuses on maize, beans and wheat. There is a significant horticulture industry, with several companies growing flowers for export to Europe.
The city is home to the Tanzanian rugbynational team. The city hosts international rugby matches as well. Joshua Peterson, who played for the national team, was the second youngest international rugby player ever, behind Jonny Wilkinson. Southern Pool A of the2007 Castel Beer Trophy was hosted here as well.
The city also hosted the Mount Meru Marathon, held from 1985 to 2004.[24] The "all-comers" record for the fastestmarathon performance in Tanzania, 2:13:46, was set at the event by formerlong-distance runnerBenedict Ako on August 1, 1993.[25]
On 21 May 2011, theDrake Bulldogs beat the CONADEIP All-Stars by 17–7 in the first ever American football game in Tanzania.[26]
Arusha is home for the Arusha Motor Sports Club (AMSC),[27] which provides motor entertainment for the city of Arusha. It was created in 1996 with the purpose of providing "motor rallying", which was a new concept at the time for Tanzania, as a new form of entertainment. The AMSC is the largest club in Tanzania that invites foreign competitors to rally and compete for AMSC.[citation needed]
On August 10, 2022, Arusha held the 44thCAF Ordinal General Assembly, which also included the launch of the newAfrica Super League.[citation needed]
Arusha is alleged to be midway betweenCape Town andCairo.[28]Arusha city has 5 popular gated communities:1: Dolly Estate - Located at Usa River area focusing on country living. Known for a shear number of expats and wealthy Tanzanians who enjoy their space. A bit out of town but exactly what the residents Love it to be.
2: PPF - Located at Njiro area near the Village supermarket. The first to start a gated community idea in Arusha, this place has beautiful homes, tarmac roads and very quiet.
3: Kwa Mawala - Located at a quiet side of Majengo area near the popular Aim mall, which has Village supermarket, a movie theater and a few eateries.
4: Westlands - Located at Sakina area with picturesque view of Mount Meru. Inside the gate includes a school, beautiful apartments, spacious rental houses, two local shops, TAG, and two award winning tourist lodges (Tumaini Homestay Arusha Lodge, and Karibu Heritage Lodge). It’s close to the main road (Arusha Nairobi road) walking distance to notable mini supermarkets like Mendaz, Mariam Supermarket, a police station, St. Joseph Health Care International and Sakina Dispensary.
5: Kili Golf - Located near a bit outskirts of Arusha, this is a golf heaven for all the golf lovers. Enjoy the natural African beauty accompanied with golf, Pollo etc
Arusha is also known to have the largest collection of Old Skool cars ( Magari ya Kizamani) and home to Popular car clubs like Tanzania Old Skool car club, Land Rover Tanzania club (hosted the biggest Land Rover festival ever seen in Africa), Tanzania VW classics etc.
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