| Mbutu Bandarini Ruins | |
| Map Type: | Tanzania |
| Map Size: | 222 |
| Relief: | yes |
| Location: | Somangila ward, Kigamboni District, Dar es Salaam Region, |
| Type: | Settlement |
| Material: | Coral rag |
| Built: | 14th century CE |
| Abandoned: | 18th century CE |
| Cultures: | Swahili |
| Architectural Styles: | Swahili & Islamic |
| Condition: | Endangered |
| Ownership: | Tanzanian Government |
| Management: | Antiquities Division under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism[1] |
| Designation1: | NHST |
| Designation1 Offname: | Bandarini Ruins Historic Site |
| Designation1 Type: | Cultural |
| Notes: | Currently neglected and vandalized |
Mbutu Bandarini Ruins(Swahili: Magofu ya mji wa kale wa Mbutu Bandarini) is a Medieval Swahili, National Historic Site located in Somangila ward of Kigamboni District in Dar es Salaam Region of Tanzania. Despite years of indifference that led to vandalism of the site, the Tanzanian government has contracted a firm to begin repair operations as soon as feasible.[2] [3]
The site is situated near the Bandarini River delta, close to the seashore, about 2.5 km east of the settlement of Mwongozo in Somangila ward. The site featuring ruined buildings and a mosque's ruins in stones. There is a graveyard and an old well close to the mosque. The mosque at the location is thought to have been constructed during the 14th and 15th centuries A.D. On the surface of the site, there are significant concentrations of native pottery. Chinese celadon from the 15th century, Chinese blue on white, and European porcelain from the 18th century are among the imports found at the location. Heavy layers of indigenous pottery between 0 and 60 cm below the surface were found in a test pit.[4]