Askari Monument

The Askari Monument is a key historical site in Dar es Salaam. It stands at the central roundabout of Samora Avenue. Built in 1927, it honors African soldiers, known as Askaris, and carriers who helped the British army in World War I. The monument has a bronze statue of an African soldier. It was made by British sculptor James Alexander Stevenson.

The Askaris were first recruited by the Germans. Later, they joined the British. The monument celebrates their bravery and loyalty. But it also sparks debate. Some see it as a reminder of Tanzania’s colonial past. Others view it as a tribute to the soldiers’ sacrifices.

Before the Askari Monument, the site had a statue of Major Hermann von Wissmann. He was a German officer who stopped the Arab revolution in 1888. After Germany lost World War I, the British removed the Wissmann statue. They built the Askari Monument in its place.

The monument is one of three built in 1927 across British East Africa. The others are in Mombasa and Nairobi. The Askari Monument faces the ocean. This marks the direction British troops entered the city on September 3, 1916.

The bronze statue is a striking piece of art. It has a plaque with the following words:

“This is to the memory of the Native African troops who fought: To the Carriers who were the feet and hands of the army: And to all other men who served and died for their king and country in Eastern Africa in the Great War 1914-1918. If you fight for your country, even if you die, your sons will remember your name.”