Hi again! Judging from the number of responses I got to my last post, it seems that you, my readers, are not avid frequenters of spas. Thank you, Atiya Sumar (of Groovy Cup, a cozy cafe in Masaki, Dar es Salaam), for sharing your favorite spa—Coconut Spa in Zanzibar–which sounds truly heavenly! Now, let’s move on to the next question…
Question #4: In your East African town/city, what’s your favorite art gallery/museum?
When I first responded to this questionnaire, I had never been to an art gallery or museum in Dar es Salaam. Now, a few months later, I have visited both museums that I know of in Dar es Salaam and can tell you which of the two is my favorite, despite having enjoyed both very much. To know what I think, check out the first comment below.
To tell me your favorite art gallery/museum, leave me a comment below in the following format (which you can simply copy and paste into the comment box before filling in the rest of your response):
City/Town, Country:
Favorite Art Gallery/Museum:
Address/Location:
Website:
Why do you like this place?
I look forward to hearing what you have to say!
Until the next time,
Biche
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Photo Credit: Dani_vr
City/Town, Country: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Favorite Art Gallery/Museum: The Village Museum
Address/Location: (New) Bagamoyo Road, Kijitonyama (next to Millennium Towers)
Website: N/A
Why do you like this place? Because it showcases the cultural heritage of the Tanzanian people and a country is first and foremost its people.
City/Town, Country: Zanzibar, Tanzania
Favorite Art Gallery/Museum: The House of Wonders Museum of History & Culture of Zanzibar & The Swahili Coast
Address/Location: Stone Town, Zanzibar
Website: N/A
Why do you like this place? Zanzibar has a fascinating history, and this museum really brings that to life!
City/Town, Country: Nairobi, Kenya
Favorite Art Gallery/Museum: Nairobi National Museum
Address/Location: Museum Hill
Website: http://www.museums.or.ke/content/blogcategory/11/17/
Why do you like this place? Although I haven’t been to this museum since its most recent renovation (which I am sure only served to make it bigger and better), I like the Nairobi National Museum because of its interesting, well-put-together collections that I can visit over and over again and still never get bored by.
near mwanza, tanzania
bujora cultural museum
this is one of only two museums i’ve been to in africa. so i don’t have much expertise. [the other is the genocide memorial in kigali, but i figure someone else may mention that one.] bujora is an entire museum devoted to the history and culture of the wasukuma people group. it’s not hi-tech or artsy, but a guy can learn a lot.
Even though it’s been mentioned, I’ll post it again because it’s that great.
City/Town, Country: Kigali, Rwanda
Favorite Art Gallery/Museum: Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre
Website: http://www.kigalimemorialcentre.org or http://www.museum.gov.rw/2_museums/kigali/kigali_memorial/pages/page_intro.htm
Why do you like this place? I did my masters in human rights and visited multiple sites of genocide and atrocities during my studies. While this probably doesn’t sound like a selling point for a museum, I think the way they encapsulate the history but also make it a living, breathing thing giving a face to those who died during this time. They have a wonderful exhibit with notes written by survivors and their families as well as a beautiful garden and reflection area for those who just want to sit and process what they have seen. They also have the most informative exhibit I have seen on the history of genocides throughout the world.
City/Town, Country: Nairobi, Kenya
Favorite Art Gallery/Museum: Nairobi Train Museum
Address/Location: near CBD
Website: http://maps.google.com/maps/place?rlz=1C1GPCK_enKE391RW392&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=nairobi+train+museum&fb=1&hq=nairobi+train+museum&hnear=nairobi+train+museum&cid=2637526128675264445
Why do you like this place? Because its pretty much the only answer to this question in Nairobi that isn’t the National Museum. Plus, trains are cool.
Hi everyone,
Thanks for your answers to this question.
JamesBrett-Interesting! I had never heard of Bujora before. I’ll try and check it out the next time I am in Mwanza, possibly even later this month. Thanks for sharing!
Micah-I have heard so much about this museum and, of course, seen shots of it in documentary and news footage. I’ll be sure to check it out the next time I am in Kigali, as harrowing an experience as I am sure that will be. Thanks for sharing!
David-I must have passed by this so many times and never thought to check it out. Thanks for suggesting an alternative to the National Museum; I’ll check it out the next time I am in Nairobi.