PROFESSOR GEORGE HADJIVAYANIS’ VIEW OF TANZANIAN HISTORY YOU NEVER HEARD OF…

The internet ushered citizen’s journalism.
With this, the excellent and the absurd. On a negative road, untrained reporters using social media as an identity gimmick, hunting a quick buck and misleading titles that promise skyscrapers yet offer cheap muddy huts. On the bright side, masterpieces. Take the ongoing slaughter of civilians and children in the Middle East, ignored by mainstream media but detailed and splashed on social media.
Thanks to alternative media (with untrained eyes), the Gaza Genocide is being witnessed as it happens.
And on our Swahili global grasslands, powerful programs. Yes, there is constant misuse of language, copyright infringement, hearsay and rubbish; but within that—genuine gems and jewels.
Ayo TV’s interview of Jessica Magufuli, the articulate 29 years old daughter of the late President, three months ago, is testament to well-crafted work. Millard Ayo (almost 6 million subscribers), casual, “boy next door” approach rakes out beautiful stuff from the equally laid back, Jessica Magufuli.
“Our father loved praying. A man of principles…” She informs.
Or the brilliant series by writer and researcher, Mohamed Said. Lately, Dar based historian, has released 39 videos, under “Mwanahistoria Mohamed Said” channel (over 3,000 subscribers); rich and revealing. Focusing mostly on the anti-colonial path of our nation founders, including forgotten efforts by modest monumental women like Bibi Titi Mohamed. Alternative journalism, per ser.
And in such swing, we must discuss Mohamed Ghassani’s YouTube channel (“Gumzo la Ghassani”). Latest is his mind-blowing interview of Professor George Hadjivayanis.
Who is Professor Hadjivayanis?
The name itself is like a tongue twister. Even the Gumzo channel, mispronounces it. Such is alternative media. No strict sub-editors. In alternative world, “spelling errors” are part of the normal.
Having said that we watched Professor G interview. (Already pulled 8,663 views so far); which is unreported, unknown, untold.
This is what we made current one and inspire. Al Jazeera thanks to BBC and CNN.
Check some viewers comments on Ghassani’s dazzling work.
Djumakonki: “Dear broadcaster, you brought tears to me. May the Almighty God bless you for bringing this Professor. I am a Manyema. My father was among founders of TAA and TANU. May the Almighty God bless this Professor for narrating true history.”
Or Salumali 9312: “Mashallah. Congratulations. Your professor’s Kiswahili has really pleased me. It is so calm and standard…”
Early on the broadcaster wonders at Professor Hadjivayanis’s wonderful Kiswahili. “You made marriage to a Zanzibari woman?”
“No,” says Professor Hadjivayanis. “The Dodoma we see today was not like this. It was mixed current town did not live in Dodoma city. The town was filled with settlers and immigrants: Wamanyema, Wadoe, Waguuyanas and other coastal peoples. During slavery days (of Tipp Tip, the trader), Dodoma was a mid point from Tanganyika coast to Kigoma and beyond…”
In other words Dodoma’s Kiswahili was developed by local immigrants.
And such is the depth of the 40 minute plus interview. A must see transmission with an unusual title, “Hadithi ya Tanzania Usiyojua” (The Tanzanian Tale you do not know)…and.
So! Who is Professor George Hadjivayanis?
Born soon after the Second World War, he is anthropologist, sociologist, academic, story teller, of Greek, Gogo and Germanic origins. An authentic mix – race, Tanzanian. I first met him (and wife of 54 years, Salha) in 1973, while a student at Mzumbe Secondary School. A truly fascinating couple.
My favourite part of the interview is when Mohamed Ghassani asks Professor Hadjivayanis what he thinks of today’s youth.
I recommend you watching this unusual, succinct, insightful masterpiece.
Tikane, if you speak Greek.