Mapping Africa's

National heritage custodians and project collaborators



The National Museum of Tanzania (NMT)

The National Museum of Tanzania (NMT) was established by the government under the National Museum Act No.7 of 1980 as a scientific, educational, and cultural institution. Its responsibilities are to acquire, research, document, conserve, and display all materials related to Tanzania’s cultural and natural heritage. In preservation of natural and cultural heritage, NMT disseminates such knowledge to the public through cultural and education programmes, exhibitions, publications, print and electronic media, and has been enhancing and expanding its services by opening branches in different regions of the country to reach the public. NMT also oversees over 90 heritage sites located all over the country.

Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies, University of Dar es Salaam

The Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies, University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) began in 1985 as an Archaeology Unit under the Department of History. It was later established as a department in its own right, in the College of Humanities, and is one of the most vibrant centres of academic excellence in Africa.

Department of Museums and Antiquities (DoMA), Zanzibar

The Department of Museums and Antiquities (DoMA) in Zanzibar is a government entity responsible for overseeing and taking care of Zanzibar’s heritage. Currently, it undertakes almost 86 gazetted historical and archaeological sites in both Unguja and Pemba Islands.Among its core functions and objectives are conservation, protection, documentation, exhibition, education, research, and marketing, as well as promotion of our esteemed heritage resources.

With “Antiquities are our heritage” as its motto, the Department of Museums and Antiquities is committed to conserving and maintaining the wealth of our heritage for contemporary and future generations. Both local and international visitors and other stakeholders are welcomed to our heritage sites for knowledge gain, leisure, and investment.

Click on the images to enlarge.

  • Entrance of the National Museum of Tanzania (NMT) in Dar es Salaam
  • Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies, University of Dar es Salaam
  • Peace Memorial Museum in Zanzibar