My Town
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
UBC alum Pieta Rupia in Masaki, her favourite part of town, with the skyline of Dar es Salaam's city centre in the backdrop. Photo courtesy of Pieta.
Pieta Rupia (BA’16) is a Business Development Manager who grew up in Dar es Salaam (commonly known as Dar). After obtaining her UBC degree, she moved back to her hometown, where she has been living full time since 2017.
What three words best describe Dar es Salaam?
Bustling. Growing. Diverse.
How did you come to live in Dar es Salaam?
I was raised in Dar and the vast majority of my family lives here. I’ve always felt that leaving my hometown, whether for school, work, or an adventure, would be a temporary experience. Of course, as a kid, there was a time when I yearned to move away and live in other parts of the world. I was privileged enough to travel with my family for holidays, move to a new city for boarding school, and then relocate to Vancouver for university, but the older I’ve grown, the more I’ve missed simply being home. Some of the best bits of my life exist in Dar and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.
What do you like most about living there?
There is a lot of peace and comfort that comes from the general familiarity of having grown up here. Being surrounded by family who know you and care about you is something that feeds my soul. Simply watching the city grow at the fast pace that it does is a sight to behold, and there’s something intriguing knowing that I am part of these changes, too.
Describe your favourite neighbourhood.
It might be too large to call a neighbourhood, but Masaki is definitely my favourite “bubble” to be in. Cradled on a peninsula, Masaki is situated away from the city centre, but close enough to get to it. Its many quiet roads are filled with the smell of flowers and the chatter of countless birds. At night, however, Masaki comes to life — the area is home to some of Dar’s best night spots, including beach bars, restaurants, and clubs, so it’s common to hear loud music and lively conversation in this part of town in the evening.
If you could change one thing about Dar es Salaam, what would it be?
This question makes me chuckle because there are plenty of things that I’d probably change and that could apply nationwide. However, I will note that an everyday challenge is traffic, especially when it rains. For residents living in an ever-expanding city, contending with traffic can be a major irritant in our lives, especially for those who have regular commutes during the day.
What might surprise a visitor about Dar es Salaam?
Perhaps how kind and accommodating people can be — I feel like that might not always be something that would be expected. I think visitors are also sometimes surprised by the many different cultures that are represented and celebrated in Tanzania, and very much so in the city of Dar. From Indian and Arab communities, who have been here for generations, to Greek and Chinese families, all of the different ethnicities in Dar have influenced and added to the local Indigenous culture to varying degrees.
What are your favourite hidden gems or activities that only locals know about?
I think that nothing is really hidden anymore. But I’ll mention the district of Kigamboni as a general location that might go less noticed. It is a ferry ride away or can be accessed by a drive across the Nyerere Bridge. Kigamboni offers hidden gems in the form of beautifully remote beach areas and holiday homes that you can rent with a group of friends or family for a lovely weekend away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
How easy is it to meet new people?
I’d say extremely easy, especially now that there are more and more group travel options that invite locals and non-locals to explore the city and the country at large. There are weekend social activities that can be enjoyed alone, and weekday casual adventures at popular spots — all of which could provide opportunities for striking up conversations with new people and even meeting their friend group.
What issues are particularly important to the people of Dar es Salaam?
Traffic, expensive housing, and flooding during heavy rains are probably the topics we talk about the most here.
What is one local custom that every visitor should know about?
Greeting elders by saying “Shikamoo” (shi-ka-MOH) — it is a way to show respect to someone older than you (or someone with more authority than you).
Also, tasting Konyagi. Known as the “Spirit of the Nation,” it is one of Tanzania’s most famous drinks. (I think most of my friends from UBC would have tried this, as Konyagi is a classic gift one brings back after a visit home.)
A panoramic shot of Dar’s stunning coastline. © Antonio / Adobe Stock
Dar es Salaam has numerous sandy beaches, offering beautiful ocean views. Photo by Og Mpango.
A vendor selling shells at an outdoor market in Dar es Salaam. © Oleksandr / Adobe Stock
Pieta’s favourite street food is supu ya ulimi (tongue soup — pictured), paired with freshly made chapati (flatbread). Photo courtesy of Pieta.
Chapati (flatbread) being fried with a spoon. © Adam Ján Figeľ / Adobe Stock
Looking to connect with your UBC alumni community?
If you live outside our campus communities in the Lower Mainland and Central Okanagan, visit the Global Alumni Network page to see if there’s an alumni ambassador or social media community where you live.
Alumni volunteers also host fun My Town Meetups in locations around the world. Check out our Meetups page to see if there’s a gathering near you — or sign up to host one in your location!
