Domoni

Domoni is a city with a population of 15,351 people. It is the second largest city on the island of Anjouan, which is located in the Indian Ocean. Domoni sits on the east coast of the island.

In the past, Domoni was the capital of Anjouan. Today, the capital of the island is a different city called Mutsamudu.

History

Domoni has a very old history. In the past, it was the capital of the island of Anjouan. People have lived there since the 1200s. Long ago, Domoni was an important place for trading with Africa, Persia, Arab countries, India, and even faraway Japan. Many leaders lived in Domoni, and it was the main city of the island until another city, Mutsamudu, became the capital. Today, Domoni is remembered as the home of some important leaders of the Comoros islands.

Geography and climate

Domoni is found on the east coast of Anjouan, also called Nzwani. It is one of the three big towns on the island, along with Bambao and Mutsamudu, which is the island’s capital. Domoni is linked by road to nearby areas. The Ajajo River flows into the sea to the south.

The weather in Domoni, from the years 2000 to 2012, shows that the hottest average temperature was 23 °C (73 °F) in December, and the coolest was 15 °C (59 °F) in August. The town gets an average of 1,059 millimetres (41.7 in) of rain each year, with the most rain falling in December and the least in July.

Landmarks

Domoni has many interesting old buildings and places. One of the first stone buildings was built in the mid-1300s. You can still see old houses that people from Persia built long ago. The town also has several old mosques, with one having two special areas facing a holy city far away. The Friday mosque has a tall, rectangular tower.

The middle part of town, called Hari ya Muzhi, has been busy since the 1500s. This area includes the main open space, the Friday mosque, and many large old homes. The town is famous for its palaces and mansions from the 1500s and 1700s, with beautiful carved doors and stone work on the buildings.

Culture

Domoni is famous for its beautiful wooden carvings and colorful embroidery made by local craftsmen. Women in the town often apply sandalwood paste to each other's faces while sitting on house staircases. The town's culture has been studied by academics from Kansas State University. Women make music using coconut shells, gongs, and sticks, and play a frame drum called tari. Men use drums like the fumba, dori, and msindio, as well as other instruments such as the gabus (lute), mzumara (double reed), nkayamba (rattle), and ndzedze (box zither). Wedding ceremonies include special performances and a type of bullfight, showing the influence of Portuguese history on the town.