The famous Makonde saying “Kila munu ave na kwao” (everyone should have a home) has been used to highlight Ngorongoro’s place as one of the world’s most important sites in understanding human origins, with Tanzania taking the message to Sweden.
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) used the World Kiswahili Language Day celebrations in Stockholm to showcase the area’s rich archaeological heritage and invite visitors to explore the place where scientific evidence links early human history to millions of years ago.
Speaking during the event, NCAA Senior Conservation Officer responsible for Marketing, Mr Michael Makombe, said Ngorongoro holds significant evidence showing the evolution of human beings, including the famous Laetoli footprints believed to date back about 3.6 million years.
“Welcome home to Tanzania, welcome to Ngorongoro, where science has shown that more than 3.6 million years ago, early humans began walking on two feet. This discovery was made possible through the ancient footprints found at Laetoli,” Mr Makombe said.
He encouraged Swedish citizens and other international visitors to visit Ngorongoro to experience its unique combination of archaeological, cultural and natural heritage.
Visitors who toured the Ngorongoro exhibition booth during the celebrations said they were fascinated by the historical significance of the area, which they had previously learned about through books and documentaries.
“This is an amazing discovery. I hope one day I will visit Ngorongoro and see the place where human beings began walking upright,” said Stockholm resident Mr Georgen Stelingmen.
The celebrations, held at the Tanzanian Embassy in Sweden, attracted strong interest from participants seeking information on tourism opportunities and how to visit attractions within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
The event provided Tanzania with a platform to promote Ngorongoro globally as a destination where history, science, culture and nature meet.
