Show the world it’s ours: Historians urged to reclaim Mt Kilimanjaro narrative

Dar es Salaam. A clarion call rang out today as historians gathered for the annual meeting of the Historical Association of Tanzania (HAT).

 The message: reclaim the narrative and leave no doubt – Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s majestic crown jewel, stands proudly in Tanzania, not Kenya.

Siston Masanja, chief executive of the Agency for the Development of Educational Management (ADEM), speaking on behalf of the guest of honour, highlighted the urgent need for HAT to collaborate with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism.

Their mission: to definitively show the world where the 5,895-meter snow-capped giant truly belongs.

“I’ve encountered this misconception myself,” Masanja shared, recounting his experience in Europe. “Mention East Africa, and instantly people assume it’s Kenya where Kilimanjaro sits.” Dispelling this persistent misattribution, he acknowledged, is no easy feat.

But the stakes are high. As educators and guardians of Tanzania’s past, HAT, Masanja emphasized, shoulders a critical responsibility. They shape not just knowledge, but the very sense of identity and national pride in present and future generations.

“Your expertise,” he addressed the historians, “is vital in several ways. You provide the accurate narrative of our nation-building journey, preserve our rich community and national history, and most importantly, ignite critical thinking based on factual evidence.”

The theme of the conference, “Decolonizing History Teaching and Learning: Opportunities and Challenges,” resonated deeply.

Tanzania’s unity and identity, Masanja stressed, demand an accurate interpretation, free from colonial-era distortions.

Dr Oswald Masebo, HAT President, echoed this sentiment. He pointed to their 2019 conference in Dodoma, which delved into the crucial role of history education in fostering patriotism and national consciousness.

“Public interest in Tanzanian history has dwindled,” Dr. Masebo lamented. “Young people’s awareness of our foundation story is alarmingly low.” He reminded the nation of its rich heritage – the triumphs, the struggles, the lessons learned, all woven into the tapestry of their identity.

“History,” he declared, “is not just a dusty record of the past. It’s a living subject, shaping our present and our future. It’s the bedrock of our security, our direction, and our strength on the world stage.”