Tanzania

[ilja559]

Commemoration of 50 years of the Union Medal

Nishani ya Kumbukumbu Ya miaka 50 Ya Muungano

[ilja559]

Brigadier General Martin Likubuka Mwankanye

[ilja559]

Order of the Torch of Kilimanjaro doc

[Megan]

Interesting... now, I've found images that appear to be better ones of the Class 2 of the Medal/Order for the 50th Anniversary of the Union (Nishani ya Kumbukumbu ya Miaka 50 ya Muungano):

 

[Megan]

Not a good image, but substituting '40' for '50' in the Swahili name and running a search came up with this:

 

 

Peering, the award being presented appears to be star-shaped. So was our mystery star the 40th anniversary award?

 

Wonder if there is a 60th anniversary award? Curious minds... have found one! Whole page and a video (all in Swahili of course) about an awards ceremony. But of course they are more interested in showinf the recipients than the awards they were getting! GRRR.

 

https://globalpublishers.co.tz/rais-samia-akitunuku-nishani-za-miaka-60-muungano-na-kuzindua-kitabu-picha-video/

 

Fist 2 pictures are presentations of the Order of Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere to widows of former presidents,, the rest appears to be the 60th Anniversary award, again a star shape.

 

Next step is, I suppose, to ask the Tanzanian embassy in the UK if they can shed any light on this intriging puzzle.

[Megan]

In the meantime, I have started correspondence with Spinks, who made some insignia for Tanzania in the 1980s and 1990s.

 

They tell me that the Order of the Declaration of Arusha consisted of a gilt neck badge (class 1), a gilt chest badge (class 2), and a silver chest badge (class 3), all of the same design and with the blue enamel band inscribed NISHANI YA AZIMIO LA ARUSHA [ORDER OF THE ARUSHA DECLARATION]. This is a Class 1 neck badge:

 

 

As for the Medal of Valour, all they could tell me was that the badge is silver gilt and enamel. On the obverse, the inscription NISHANI YA USHUJAA appears on an enamelled border to the centre. The reverse is plain and polished. So at least I know what I am looking for!

 

 

[gongz]

Herewith - undated, but post 1985.

TANZANIA

PRESIDENTIAL AFFAIRS ACT, 1962

 PROCLAMATION

(Under Section 4)

WHEREAS Section 4 of the Presidential Affairs Act, 1962, confers power upon the President to institute and confer honours, dignities and awards:

AND WHEREAS I am satisfied that it is necessary to institute such honours, dignities and awards to be conferred upon persons who have, by their meritorious acts or conduct earned such praise and distinction as warrants receipts of some form of recognition:

NOW THEREFORE, I, ALI HASSAN MWINYI, President of the United Republic of Tanzania in exercise of the powers conferred upon me by Section 4 of the Presidential Affairs Act, 1962, 

DO HEREBY institute the honour described in the First Schedule to this Proclamation which may be awarded to persons specified in relation thereto in the Second Column of the said schedule. The insignia shall be as described in the Third Column and the manner of wearing as illustrated in the Second Schedule:

The Proclamation instituting several honours and published as Government Notice No. 1600 of 1985 is hereby revoked.

 

(Note: In the Proclamation, above, reference is made to "Columns". In the following Schedules these Columns have been deleted, purely for editing purposes.)

FIRST SCHEDULE

1. THE ORDER OF THE TORCH OF KILIMANJARO

(Nishani ya Mwenge wa Kilimanjaro)

(a)          First Class

              This may be awarded to Heads of State

              The insignia will consist of a gold breast star circular in shape comprising rays these being embic artical of the sun and its life giving source and enamel centre badge. Superimposed in the centre shall be an enamelled shield-shaped device depicting a flaming torch above the snow capped peak of Kilimanjaro and surrounding "Mwenge wa Kilimanjaro". The star is to be worn on the left breast. In addition an oval badge will be presented measuring approximately 2 7/8 inches x 3 1/2 inches and will contain the same centre as the aforementioned star. The shield-shaped device is to be surrounded by a floriated surround. The whole badge will be suspended from a 4 inches wide sash riband worn over the right shoulder resting on the left hip. The composition of the colours being, outside blue edge and within green; in the centre black, being separated by narrow yellow stripes. The colours being emblematical of the Tanzania people, the green for the country, the yellow the sandy beaches, and blue the sky.

(b) Second Class

              This may be awarded to Prime Ministers and other leaders of great distinction and eminence.

              The insignia will consist of a breast star of silver with an enamel centre being the same design, size and shape of the first class star. A badge will be worn around the neck. This gold badge will contain and enamelled oval centre as with the star. This being superimposed on an ornate floriated surround and suspended around the neck from a riband 1 1/4 inches in width.

 (c) Third Class

              This may be awarded to Ministers

              The badge will be of silver consisting of an enamelled oval as the centre of the aforementioned insignia, being surrounded by a scalloped edge and suspended around the neck from a riband 1 1/2 inches wide.

(d) Insignia issued to Ladies

              The insignia will be exactly the same as that issued to Gentlemen, but the second and third class badges will be worn on the left breast from a riband fashioned in a bow with tails. The first class badge will be worn from a sash 2 1/2 inches in width worn over the right shoulder resting on the left hip.
 

2. MEDAL FOR VALOUR

(Nishani ya Ujasiri)

              This may be awarded to members of the Defence and Security Forces of the United Republic for acts of conspicuous valour in action against the enemy in war. The term "Security Forces" shall be used interchangeably with the terms "Police Force" or "Prison Service".

              The gilt medal will contain the oval shield taken from the Coat of Arms of the United Republic. This shield being superimposed on crossed spears and rays, encircling is the title of the decoration. The whole surrounded by a plain raised edge. The medal itself is to be suspended by a straight bar and a riband of equal stripes of green (2), yellow (4), black (2), blue (2) and red (1). The riband of the order will be worn on the left breast of tunics.

 

3. THE MEDAL FOR BRAVERY

(Nishani ya Ushujaa)

              This may be awarded to members of the Defence and Security Forces of the United Republic and other persons for acts of conspicuous heroism and courage.

              The medal will contain the oval shield taken from the Coat of Arms of the United Republic. The shield being surrounded by a wreath of laurel and encircling the title of the decoration on a background and field of blue enamel, the whole surrounded by a scalloped edge. The medal itself will be surmounted on an ornate floriated surround and suspended by a straight bar and a riband of equal stripes of green, yellow, black and blue. The riband of the Order will be worn on the left breast of tunics of the various services at all times. Awards given for acts of gallantry in the face of the enemy by armed forces are to be distinguished by a narrow red stripe.

 

4. THE MEDAL FOR GALLANTRY

(Nishani ya Ushupavu)

              This may be awarded to members of the Defence and Security Forces, of the United Republic, and other persons for acts of gallantry.

              The insignia will consist of a bronze star-shaped medal with long point edges suspending a shorter sharp edge circular background. The centre will contain the oval shield taken from the Coat of Arms of the United Republic, this shield being supported on crossed swords. The medal itself is to be suspended by a straight bar and a riband of blue (2), black (3) and red (2) stripes. The riband of the order will be worn on the left breast of tunics at all times.

 

5. THE ORDER OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC

(Nishani ya Jamhuri ya Muungano)

(a) First Class

              This may be awarded to faithful and dedicated citizens, who, at considerable personal sacrifice have earned this nation praise and distinction in the field of politics, economy, defence and social affairs.

              The medal will contain in relief the full Coat of Arms of the United Republic. These arms to be encircled by the title of the award on a blue enamel field, the whole to be surrounded by a scalloped edge. The medal will be suspended around the neck by a riband 1 3/4 inches in width divided into three equal strips of blue, black and green divided by narrow yellow bands.

(b) Second Class

              This may be awarded to persons who have by act and conduct earned praise and distinction for the United Republic.

              The medal will contain in relief the full Coat of Arms of the United Republic. These arms to be encircled by the title of the award on a blue enamel field, the whole to be surrounded by a scalloped edge. The medal will be suspended by a straight bar and a riband of black edge with green and blue separated by narrow yellow edges.

 

 

 

 

[Megan]

Wow - thank yoi for that. Where did you find it? I've been looking for that sort of thing but so far withot success.

 

Every little fragment of information helps to build up the picture.

[Megan]

Some (not much) progress with all these anniversary medals. I've managed to figure out that they awarded:

TPDF 20th Anniversary Medal  (Nishani ya Miaka Ishirini ya JWTZ)

TPDF 40th Anniversary Medal (Nishani ya Miaka Arobaini ya JWTZ)

50th Year of Independence Anniversary Medal  (Nishani ya Miaka 50 ya Uhuru)

50th Year of Union Anniversary Medal  (Nishani ya Miaka 50 ya Mungano)

TPDF 50th Anniversary Medal  (Nishani ya Miaka Hamsini ya JWTZ)

60th Year of Independence Anniversary Medal  (Nishani ya Miaka 60 ya Uhuru)

(The TPDF/JWTZ ones are for the Defence Forces, the others for more general distribution.)

Now to find images of them... put any of these names into search engines and no end of pictures of award ceremonies but all concentrating on the recipient being awarded, no glimpse of what's being pinned on. GRRR.

[Megan]

As far as I can make out from pictures of award ceremonies, the Medal for the 50th Anniversary of the Union (Nishani ya Kumbukumbu ya Miaka 50 ya Muungano) comes in 3 classes.

 

Class 1: Sash over the right shoulder and star.

Class 2: Neck badge and star.

Class 3: Chest badge.

 

Only the obverse of the Class 2 badge and star have been found as decent images - both Ilya and I found that independently!