Ukara Island
Ukara Island | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Lake Victoria |
| Coordinates | 01°50′23″S 33°03′05″E / 1.83972°S 33.05139°E |
| Archipelago | Ukerewean Archipelago |
| Length | 12.7 km (7.89 mi) |
| Width | 11.8 km (7.33 mi) |
| Administration | |
| Region | Mwanza Region |
| District | Ukerewe District |
| Largest settlement | Nansio |
| Demographics | |
| Demonym | Ukaran |
| Languages | Kara & Swahili |
| Ethnic groups | Kara people |
Ukara Island (Kisiwa cha Ukara, in Swahili) is a freshwater island located in Lake Victoria. The island is administratively part of Ukerewe District in Mwanza Region, Tanzania.[1] The island is located 10 km north of Ukerewe Island and it is also was historically known as Bukara.[2]
Unique agricultural methods
The island is notable for its unique indigenous system of labor-intensive mixed farming, using advanced agricultural techniques, and a correspondingly high population density of the Kara people.[3][4]
The Kara created distinctive agricultural methods that mostly depend on human labour, privately own all arable land, and use composted animal manure to preserve soil fertility. These elements have created a unique system of intensive grain cultivation that is essential to the way of life and culture of the Kara people.[5]
2018 ferry accident
On 20 September 2018, the MV Nyerere capsized near the island, killing hundreds of people, while plying its route from Ukerewe Island to Ukara Island.
See also
References
- ^ https://www.ukereweculturaltourism.com/en/trips-on-ukerewe-island-2/ukara-island-tour-full-day-tour/
- ^ "Slavery in Africa: historical and anthropological perspectives", edited by Suzanne Miers and Igor Kopytoff, Univ of Wisconsin Press, 1979, pp. 263, 276.
- ^ "The African husbandman", William Allan, LIT Verlag, 2004, pp. 199-206.
- ^ Tanzania: crisis and struggle for survival", Jannik Boesen, Nordic Africa Institute, 1986, pp. 109-110.
- ^ Lounio, Tomi. "Population Dynamics and Livelihood Change on Ukara Island, Lake Victoria." Master's Thesis), University of Helsinki.[Google Scholar] (2014).
External links
- Detailed map of Ukerewe and Ukara islands
- Mwanza Guide commented photo gallery of Ukara Island
- "Bukara", New York Times, June 20, 1920. Article on Ukara Island's economy.
- "The Lesson of Ukara", E. Berton Spence, The Free Market (Ludwig von Mises Institute monthly), December 1999.