FORGOTTEN PIONEER OF MODERN AFRIKAN ARCHITECTURE IN TANZANIA- BEDA J. AMULI *1st Indigenous African to Obtain a Degree in Architecture and Practise Architecture in Tanganyika (Tanzania) *Designer of famous Urban Market in Dar- Kariakoo Market Beda Amuli studied at the Israel Institute of Technology where he obtained a Bachelor Degree in Architecture in 1964. Amuli enjoys the distinction of being the first indigenous African from then Tanganyika to obtain a degree in Architecture. Upon completion of his undergraduate studies at the Israel Institute of Technology, he joined Zevet International Architect and Engineers of Tel Aviv. That company had just won a tender to design the Kilimanjaro Hotel in Dar es Salaam (now Kilimanjaro Hotel Kempinski). Zevet sent him to work in Dar es Salaam both as its Associate Partner and also as its resident architect. Amuli supervised the construction of the Kilimanjaro Hotel Building. All in all, he worked with Zevet for 5 years before moving on to practice architecture as a sole proprietor under the name of BJAMULI Architects. As a sole proprietor, his major projects include the Kariakoo Market. Straddling along the Nyamwezi, Mkunguni, Swahili, Sikukuu and Tandamti streets, the Kariakoo Market building was built out of reinforced concrete between 1972 and 1974. He also designed the Institute of Finance Management (IFM) building, Ushirika Bldg and the NBC Training College. Modern Afrikan Architecture African architecture is mostly associated with vernacular architecture. Because of the great impact colonists have had on urban Africa (most of the cities did not even exist before colonization), the veritable African identity is expected to be found in the villages, untouched by western influences, or in the architectural wonders created by the African ancestors: the mysterious mosques in Djenne, Mali, the rock churches in Lalibela, Ethiopia and of course the pyramids in Egypt. However, there is much more to be discovered. African architecture definitely did not die when western influences touched the African architects and builders. On the contrary, African architecture continued to develop and came to produce its own contemporary style. The Kariakoo market in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, is such an example. Built in 1974 by the architect B.J. Amuli, the building offers three layers of market area and forms the centre of the Kariakoo market which is spread out in the neighborhood. The building is perfectly adapted to its function, but also to its environment. It provides for the necessary air circulation and the roof exists of a series of gigantic funnels to harvest the rain, to be stored in underground collection tanks. There are many more beautiful examples like the Kariakoo market and presumably even more to come. African architecture forms its own important part in the worlds architectural history, which should not be overlooked. History of the Kariakoo Market: In 1914, the German colonial government of Tanganyika commissioned the first building on the land that is now the Kariakoo Market. The building was built to housea celebration of the coronation of King Kaiser Wilheim, but WWI broke out before the event could be held.During the War, Dar es Salaam and Tanganyika fell under British rule. The British army used the building as a camp for their “Carrier Corps” unit, a team of African porters who critically supported British troops in battle. After the war, in 1919, the new British protectoraterepurposed the space as a market. The market was named “Kariakoo,” a Swahili pronunciation of “Carrier Corps” in honor of the men that served in the war. As Dar es Salaam grew as a city, more and more crop volume passed through the market, and in the 1960s, after Tanzanian independence, the young Nyerere government commissioned cement and concrete stalls to be built for the sellers. In 1970, the national government asked the Dar es Salaam City Council to make plans for the construction of a modern market that would remain suitable for 50-70 years. National leadership asked the council to incorporate features of the great crop markets of Accra, Ghana and Lusaka, Zambia. Tanzanian architect Beda J. Amuli was ordered by Late President Nyerere to travel to Lusaka, Zambia and Accra, Ghana to do a Study Tour of the Urban markets in these two cities. Beda Amuli drew a blueprint for the new building, and construction began in March 1971, led by local construction company Mwananchi Engineering and Contracting Co (MECCO). The market was completed in November 1975 at a total expense of 22 million shillings. The market complex consists of two buildings, a main building with three floors of stalls and offices, and a secondary market building, all together totaling over 17,000 square meters. On December 8, 1975, Julius Nyerere opened the historic new market with a public ceremony. Before construction was finished, in October 1974, parliament established the Kariakoo Market Corporation (KMC), a government body tasked with running the market. The KMC was required to fund its own operations by renting stalls to sellers and charging commissions on sales. The Corporation was initially financed with shares totaling TZS 25 million, which were 100% owned by the government. The market’s charter established that the KMC would be managed by a General Manager and a Board of Directors, both appointed by the President himself. The GM and Board were charged with choosing a staff of officers to govern the market with them. Since 1975, the KMC continues to operate the market under the leadership of the Tanzanian government. The market remains the largest point of sale for crops in Tanzania. Thank you Mzee Amuli and others like Anthony Almeida for paving a way for us all.
Posted on: Tue, 23 Sep 2014 14:54:14 +0000