The Askari Monument is a statue that is located at a roundabout in Dar es Salaam connecting Samora Avenue with Maktaba Street. The position marks the focal point of downtown Dar, an area filled with history and charm. The Askari Monument is a must-visit if you’re in Dar es Salaam! It has immense historical significance and represents the struggle of the askari soldiers during World War I.
Add this to your list of must-visit places in Dar es Salaam!
Historical Significance
The Askari Monument was built in 1927 as a tribute to the askari soldiers that fought in World War I. The askari soldiers are the African troops that served on the European side of World War I in Africa.
A German statue used to be at the place of the Askari Monument, which was then removed by the British when they arrived at Dar es Salaam in 1916.
The Askari Monument
The monument itself consists of the statue of a soldier made with bronze. The soldier carrying a rifle is placed on a pedestal. On each side of the pedestal are plates, each with a different theme. One of the plates consists of an engraved picture depicting African troops fighting, while one plate is a depiction of carrier corps. The rest of the plates have a memorial tribute to the soldiers who fought in the world war, two of which are in Swahili while one is in English. The one in English reads as:
“IF YOU FIGHT FOR YOUR COUNTRY EVEN IF YOU DIE YOUR SONS WILL REMEMBER YOUR NAME”
The Monument was made by James Alexander Stevenson and it was displayed at the Royal Academy of Arts before being sent to Dar es Salaam.
Places Nearby
The Askari Monument is located in the heart of Dar es Salaam, with many other attractions nearby. Here are some significant areas nearby that should be on your must-visit list in Dar es Salaam:
- Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre
This impressive building is located just a few hundred meters away from the Askari Monument. It’s a famous place for many international conventions and conferences and can accommodate about a thousand delegates!
- Ferry Port
The ferry port is your gateway to Zanzibar, one of the most popular tourist attractions in Tanzania!
- National Museum and House of Culture
The National Museum in Dar brings in thousands of tourists every year. It has interesting displays related to the evolution of man and the history of slavery. It’s home to human remains as old as 3 million years, one of the earliest human remains ever found!
- Azania Front Lutheran Church and St. Joseph’s Cathedral
Both of these structures were built by German missionaries at the end of the 19th century. The architecture of both these buildings is pretty impressive, making them a must-visit! Both the buildings are located about a few hundred meters away, so you can visit them both in one go! They contain original German works and inscriptions too! If you’re up for it, you can even attend a Sunday service at the Cathedral.
So, what are you waiting for? Visit Dar and don’t forget to check out the Askari Monument while you’re at it!