Kilindi District, Tanga

Kilindi is one of eleven administrative districts of Tanga Region in Tanzania. The District covers an area of 6,444 km² (2,488 sq mi).^[1] It is bordered to the east by the Handeni District and Handeni Town Council, to the south west by the Kiteto District and north west by the Simanjiro District of Manyara Region. Kilindi District is bordered to the south by Gairo District and Kilosa District of Morogoro Region. The district created from Handeni District in 2002. The district seat (capital) is the town of Songe. The district is home to Nguu Mountains. According to the 2022 census, the district has a total population of 398,391.^[2][3]

Kilindi Wilaya ya Kilindi (Swahili)
District
Wilaya ya Kilindi, Mkoa wa Tanga
Nickname:  The royal crown of Tanga
Kilindi District in Tanga Region 2022
Coordinates: 5°33′54.72″S 37°33′12.6″E
Country	Tanzania
Region	Tanga Region
District	2002
Capital	Songe
Area
• Total	6,444 km2 (2,488 sq mi)
• Rank	2/11
Population  (2022)
• Total	398,391
• Density	62/km2 (160/sq mi)
Demonym	Kilindian
Ethnic groups
• Settler	Swahili
• Native	Nguu & Zigua

Etymology and history

Main article: Shambaa Kingdom

The Sambaa and Ngulu were the first inhabitants of the Kilindi district. Based in Vugha, who established the Shambaa Kingdom between the 18th and 20th centuries. Kilindi district is named after the Kilindi Dynasty that ruled over western Tanga in the 18-20th century. ^[4]

Administrative subdivisions

As of 2012, Kilindi District was administratively divided into 21 wards.^[5]

Wards

1. Jaila
2. Kibirashi
3. Kikunde
4. Kilindi
5. Kilwa
6. Kimbe
7. Kisangasa
8. Kwediboma
9. Kwekivu
10. Lwande
11. Mabalanga
12. Masagalu
13. Mkindi
14. Msanja
15. Mafisa
16. Bokwa
17. Negero
18. Pagwi
19. Saunyi
20. Songe
21. Tunguli