Tongoni Ruins, Tanga

Tongoni Ruins are situated 21km South of Tanga City along Tanga – Pangani road. The Ruins are surrounded with baobab trees and stand of Mangroves along the Indian Ocean. The ruins at Tongani are one of the most famous ruins in the history of Shirazi people who lived along the Indian Ocean Coast of East Africa. It is believed that Tongoni Ruins are one of first Shirazi settlements, which depicts the Shirazi cultures. The attractions in the area include old graves, remains of mosque and about 20 overgrown Shirazi pillar- style tomb, the largest collections of such tomb in the East African Coast. Both the mosque and tombs are believed to have been built either in 14th or 15th century. Beyond the ruins is a fishing village where cultural and traditional activities of some descendants of the Shirazi people lived in the ruins can be experienced.