More than 100 years ago, one could have heard a train slowly rolling through the villages of Zanzibar when the island played host to the first steam locomotive in East Africa.
In 1904 the Zanzibar Government signed a contract with the American firm, Arnold Cheney and Co. to build the famous Bububu Railway. A tiny steam engine ran along a light railway, approximately seven miles long from the Arab Fort in Zanzibar Town, before passing the sea front and reaching the coastal village of Bububu.
The service was most popular and very useful during a period where roads were less established on the island. It was largely used by the native population as a mode of transport while providing a constant source of wonderment for passing crowds. Those wishing to catch a glimpse of the island could use a special first-class coach.
Surprisingly, the railway became an important part of the general electrification of the island.
During its construction the Americans undertook the task of installing electrical power lines along the track. Wherever the rails were placed, metal poles were installed and power lines strung overhead. By 1906, long before even London obtained them, Stone Town had electric street lights.
In 1911, the railway was sold to the Government, and by 1922 the passenger service ceased. As roads improved and motor vehicles on the island increased, its popularity diminished. Consequently, the railway was then converted into an important component for the haulage of stone which was used to build the port and helped reclaim the sea- front. After 25 years of operation the railway was closed in 1930.
Today the Bububu railway no longer exists as result of growth and development on the island. However, train enthusiasts can still see remnants of the railway’s bridges and embankments from Zanzibar’s main roads.
SWAHILI VERSIONIn 1904 the Zanzibar Government signed a contract with the American firm, Arnold Cheney and Co. to build the famous Bububu Railway. A tiny steam engine ran along a light railway, approximately seven miles long from the Arab Fort in Zanzibar Town, before passing the sea front and reaching the coastal village of Bububu.
The service was most popular and very useful during a period where roads were less established on the island. It was largely used by the native population as a mode of transport while providing a constant source of wonderment for passing crowds. Those wishing to catch a glimpse of the island could use a special first-class coach.
Surprisingly, the railway became an important part of the general electrification of the island.
During its construction the Americans undertook the task of installing electrical power lines along the track. Wherever the rails were placed, metal poles were installed and power lines strung overhead. By 1906, long before even London obtained them, Stone Town had electric street lights.
In 1911, the railway was sold to the Government, and by 1922 the passenger service ceased. As roads improved and motor vehicles on the island increased, its popularity diminished. Consequently, the railway was then converted into an important component for the haulage of stone which was used to build the port and helped reclaim the sea- front. After 25 years of operation the railway was closed in 1930.
Today the Bububu railway no longer exists as result of growth and development on the island. However, train enthusiasts can still see remnants of the railway’s bridges and embankments from Zanzibar’s main roads.
Zaidi ya miaka mia moja iliyopita, mtu aliweza kuisikia treni Taratibu ikikata mitaa na vijiji vya Zanzibar, wakati huo Zanzibar ikiwa ni Nchi ya kwanza kuwa na treni katika ukanda wa Afrika ya Mashariki. Mwaka 1904 Serikali ya Zanzibar ilisaini mkataba na kampuni ya Kimarekani iitwayo Arnold Cheney and Co na kujenga reli hyio maarufu iitwayo Bububu railway. Reli hiyo ndogo ya steam yenye barabara ya makisio ya maili saba kutoka kwenye ngome ya Sultani mjini Zanzibar, ilipita katika mwambao wa bahari kabla kufika katika kijiji kilichokuwa karibu na bahari cha Bububu.
Huduma hiyo ilikuwa ni maarufu na yenye manufaa sana wakati huo ambapo barabara zilikuwa hazijawa nzuri kisiwani humo. Huduma hiyo ilitumiwa vyema na wakaazi wa Zanzibar kama njia kuu ya usafiri na pamoja na kuwa kivutio kikuu kwa wapita njia. Kwa wale ambao walitaka kuona mandhari ya visiwa waliweza kutumia behewa la sehemu ya kwanza (first class). Kwa mshangao pia reli hii ilitumika katika kueneza teknolojia ya umeme katika visiwa hivi. Wakati wa ujenzi wake, kampuni hiyo ya Kimarekani ilikuwa na kazi ya kuweka waya za umeme pembezoni mwa reli hiyo.
Kila reli hiyo ilimopita pia nguzo za umeme za chuma ziliwekwa na nyaya kutundikwa juu yake. Katika mwaka 1906, hata kabla ya Uingereza kuwa na umeme, Zanzibar ilikuwa tayari ina taa za umeme za njiani. Mwaka 1911, reli hio iliuzwa kwa Serikali na mwaka 1922, huduma za abiria zikasimama. Miundombinu ya barabara ilipoimarika na ongezeko la vyombo vya usafiri barabarani, umaarufu wake ukapungua, na matokeo yake reli hiyo ikatumika zaidi katika uchukuzi wa mawe kujengea bandari, iliyosaidia kuongeza eneo la ardhi kutoka baharini.
Baada ya kudumu kwa miaka 25 huduma za reli hio zilisimama kabisa mwaka 1930. Hivi sasa reli ya Bububu haipo tena kutokana na kukua na maendeleo ya mji, lakini washabiki wa treni bado wanaweza kuona mabaki ya reli hio pembezoni mwa barabara.
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Chapisha Maoni