Over the weekend of 28-30 October 2022, the Haven of Peace Lodge, No. 4385, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania celebrated 100 years of continued Freemasonry in the country, under the auspices of the District Grand Lodge of East Africa.
The weekend was meticulously planned by the centenary committee, in particular Muzaffar K Sulemanji, commander in chief of the occasion. The Lodge has a fascinating history. Shortly after World War I, the territory formerly known as German Tanganyikawas under the control of the East African Expedition Force. Permission was sought for a military Lodge of Instruction (LoI) in Dar es Salaam from the Lodge of East Africa, No. 3007 in Zanzibar in March 1918. A subsequent meeting was held on 9 March 1918 and deemed to be one of the few – if not the only one – that Freemasons held in a capital city, on enemy territory, as recorded in the minutes.
Unfortunately, after a few more meetings, the LoI was closed in December 1918. Undeterred, a group of Freemasons applied for a charter in February 1921 for a regular Lodge. This was granted on 6 December 1921 and consecrated on 31 March 1922 by WE Haworth and the First Master of the Lodge, WT Storm.
The Haven of Peace Lodge, No. 4385 has been meeting in Dar es Salaam ever since. Celebrations kicked off with a dinner for all visiting brethren and their spouses, together with members of Haven of Peace Lodge.
On Saturday morning, they held an emergency meeting to receive their centenary warrant from the District Grand Master Dr Virendra K Talwar, MBS. To commemorate the historic occasion, the District Grand Master planted two trees in the garden of the Temple grounds.
The ceremony was conducted with the normal precision and formality of such a great occasion. Indeed, the entrance by the District Grand Lodge Officers into the Temple to receive the DGM was a joy to watch and an example to the newer members of how much work and practice is required for such a ceremony.
With the meeting concluded, the brethren had a short time to recuperate and prepare themselves for the dinner and dance banquet at the Hyatt Kilimanjaro Hotel in Dar es Salaam, rounding off what was a most enjoyable weekend.
Brethren donated a range of charity prizes, from safari holidays to Apple watches – an outward show of the qualities of benevolence and charity. Over 100 years, the Lodge has built its own Temple, consisting of three English Lodges, one Scottish Lodge, two Chapters and a vibrant LoI, along with ritual workings that would not look out of place at the Emulation Lodge of Improvement, Freemasons’ Hall, London. And if any brethren are ever visiting Tanzania, you will be assured of a hearty welcome, great ritual, plentiful food – and a little tipple of your favourite beverage.
Karibu Sana!
