TANGANYIKA — The ancient pro-cathedral of Tosamangga, with the new cathedral in the background. Apostolic Vicariate of Iringa.
Tanganyika — The ancient pro-cathedral of Tosamagonga, with the new cathedral in the background. Apostolic Vicariate of Iringa.
Tanganyika is more than three times the size of Italy (936,330 sq. km.) and extends between 1° N. and 1° S., roughly from Lake Victoria to Lake Nyasa, with a coastline of 850 km. on the Indian Ocean. It consists overall of a vast plateau (about 1,000–1,500 m. in elevation) with a tropical climate moderated by the relief, except along the coastal strip, which is rather narrow (20–30 km. deep). Rainfall, which increases from south to north, is normally concentrated in the summer season in the south and central regions, and in two wet periods in the north, separated by two dry seasons. The country is mostly covered by steppes and savannas, which give way to forests in the low coastal belt and to mountain pastures in the higher regions. The large fauna of ruminants and feline carnivores is abundant everywhere, as is the avifauna.
The country has substantial agricultural, forestry (40% of the territory), and mineral resources. The main products today are sisal, cotton, coffee, and peanuts, to which are added significant quantities of rice, sesame, tea, etc. Livestock farming is flourishing (6.4 million head of cattle; 3.5 million sheep; 2.3 million goats, etc.), despite the scourge of the tsetse fly reducing its great potential. Gold, diamonds, tin, and mica are extracted from the subsoil; however, the considerable coal reserves near Lake Victoria remain untapped. Significant progress has been made in recent years in internal communications (2,600 km. of railways), which have given a strong boost to trade, in which imports everywhere exceed exports.
The population (7.3 million) consists almost entirely of Bantu and Nilotic Negroes, with Swahili on the coast; Europeans number about 20,000 and Indians 45,000. It is divided into 8 provinces, the most densely populated being those in the south. There are numerous urban centers, the most populous of which, Dar es Salaam (70,000 inhabitants), on the coast south of Zanzibar Island, is the seat of the Ugandan government. Ujiji, on Lake Tanganyika (25,000 inhabitants), is the most important inland center.
EVANGELIZATION. — Beginning from the island of Zanzibar, the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit in 1867 initiated the mission at Bagamoyo in what is now Tanganyika territory, founding schools and orphanages for the many young slaves redeemed, and then a Christian village.
In 1878 the interior of the land near the great Lakes Tanganyika and Victoria Nyanza was entrusted to the White Fathers. The greatest obstacles to effective missionary activity were the slave hunts and the influence of Muslims, which was curbed by the German occupation and the creation of the colony of German East Africa in 1885. In 1887 the southern part of the coast was entrusted to the Benedictines of St. Ottilien. At that point the missions were able to make great progress, above all through the systematic founding of schools. A setback to this progress was the rebellion of 1905, during which Abp. Cassian Spiss, O.S.B. (St. Ottilien), apostolic vicar of southern Zanzibar, was massacred along with two brothers and two sisters, and many stations were destroyed. Another setback was the First World War: the Benedictines, being German, were expelled. When the territory fell under British mandate, Swiss Capuchins and Swiss Benedictines took their place. In addition, some districts were entrusted to the Consolata Missionaries (1922), the Passionists (1935), the Pallottines (1943), the Maryknoll Missionaries (1950), and the Rosminians (1950). On 25 March 1953 the ordinary hierarchy was established. Thus there are now in the territory of Tanganyika 18 flourishing missions: Bagamoyo, made an apostolic vicariate in 1906 and entrusted to the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, now the diocese of Morogoro. Bukoba, made an apostolic vicariate in 1929 and entrusted to the Society of Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers), now the diocese of Bukoba. Dar es Salaam, in 1887 an apostolic prefecture of southern Zanguebar, in 1902 an apostolic vicariate, in 1906 under its present name, entrusted to the Capuchins. Dodoma, made an apostolic prefecture in 1935 and entrusted to the Passionists, now the diocese of Dodoma. Iringa, made an apostolic prefecture in 1922 and an apostolic vicariate in 1948, entrusted to the Consolata Missionaries of Turin, now the diocese of Iringa. Karema, made an apostolic vicariate in 1946 and entrusted to the White Fathers, now the diocese of Karema. Kigoma, in 1880 a province of Tanganyika, in 1887 an apostolic vicariate, in 1946 under its present name, entrusted to the White Fathers, now the diocese of Kigoma. Kilimanjaro, made an apostolic vicariate in 1910 and entrusted to the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, now the diocese of Moshi. Maswa, made an apostolic vicariate in 1946 and entrusted to the White Fathers, now the diocese of Maswa. Mbeya, in 1932 the mission of Tukuyu, in 1938 an apostolic prefecture, in 1949 an apostolic vicariate under its present name, entrusted to the White Fathers, now the diocese of Mbeya. Mbulu, made an apostolic prefecture in 1949 and entrusted to the Pallottines, now the diocese of Mbulu. Musoma, made an apostolic prefecture in 1950 and entrusted to the Society of Maryknoll. Mwanza, in 1894 an apostolic vicariate of southern Victoria Nyanza, in 1915 named Victoria Nyanza, in 1929 under its present name, entrusted to the White Fathers, now the diocese of Mwanza. Ndanda, in 1931 an *abbazia nullius*, entrusted to the Benedictines of St. Ottilien. Peramiho, in 1913 an apostolic prefecture of Lindi, in 1927.
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(by courtesy of Donna Carlangela Aimone-Cat)
1731
TANGANYIKA — TANNOIA ANTONIO
*abbazia nullius*, in 1931 under its present name, entrusted to the Benedictines of St. Ottilien. KAGERA INFERIORE, made an apostolic vicariate in 1951, now the diocese of Rutabo. TABORA, in 1887 an apostolic vicariate of Unyanyembe, in 1925 under its present name, entrusted to the White Fathers, now the diocese of Tabora. TANGA, in 1950 an apostolic prefecture entrusted to the Rosminians. — See plate CXXII.