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Photos Scanned And Provided By: Mustafa Pirmohamed
Email: mpirmohamed@gmail.com
 

to Mustafa Pirmohamed's Lindi Notes - Family - Settlement Stories Main Page

to Mustafa Pirmohamed's Lindi Notes - Family Main Page

Gulamhussein bhai arrived in Africa at the age of 12 and joined the employment of Esmail Khimji’s branch in Lindi under a three year contract at a salary of 1000 kodis which is equivalent of 300 rupees for 3 years. He arrived in Lindi in 1906 and at that time the Ithnaasheri community’s population was 200. The names of few of the traders at that time was as follows: Ali Walli, Kassamali Walli, Esmail Haji Khimji, Jaffer Najak, Moledina Karim Waaras, Alidina Walli Khaki, Gulamhussein Remtulla Pardhan, Alidina Mohamed Sajan, Moledina Mohamed, Gulamali Jaffer, Moledina Sumar, Allarakhia Sumar, Murji Moledina, Hirji Merali, Taalab Dossa, Jaffer Premji, Pirmohamed Janmohamed and Mulla Esmail Gulamhussein. There were several others whose names he did not remember but the above were in his memory as they were all from Kutch Mundra. There was only one Ismaili family. From Mikindani, a prominent trader, Remtulla Abdulla regularly came to Lindi during Muharram, as did several traders from nearby smaller towns. Merchandise was transported by four wheel ‘kwama’. Goods from rural areas which were brought to town were wax, ivory, rubber and cereals. Goods going out from Lindi were mainly clothing, salt, tobacco, etc. There was a good population of Arabs and two prominent ones were Bashir bin Ali an Bwana bin Haji. They were main dealers in lime (chokaa). There were also two Liwalis namely Ali bin Athmani and Mohamed bin Zubeir.

After completing three years contract, his employer gave another 2.5 year contract with double the salary due to his good performance. At the age of 15 Gulamhussein bhai, due to his honesty and hard work, he was given the charge of the whole business while his employer went for Hajj. After gaining experience, he went to his uncle in Atalavava, Madagascar. He stayed there for six months studying the business situation. He was not impressed so he went to Zanzibar. After staying a month in Zanzibar he returned back to India. This was during the First World War. He got married in India in 1914. In 1920 he traveled to Jinja where he joined employment of Haji Merali. He was later transferred to the shop’s branch in Namasagali. Haji Merali was a partner with Jumabhai Ramji in a shop at Bugondo. After the death of Jumabhai Ramji, Gulamhusseinbhai was sent to Bugondo to take charge of the shop.. He later opened a shop in Bugondo. Due to problems in education of children in Bugondo, Gulamhusseinbhai moved to Soroti in 1927. The school in Soroti consisted of 20 children studying under a tree. In 1930, a school was constructed in town and the number of children rose to 60. In 1939, six classes were constructed and the student number shot to 150. Later 3 blocks were constructed and the number of students was 600. A secondary school has also been opened now with a student population of 100.

The cemetery had a shed made of iron sheets and in 1932 a proper brick building was constructed.

In 1955, he went for Haj and Ziyarat where he saw the Hajis and Zawwars reciting Quran during the whole journey. He felt sorry that he could not read Quran and so he decided to learn Quran upon return. Within 3 months he was able to recite the Quran.

Gulamhusseinbhai is serving our community in various fields. He has been a member of Muslim Association and served in various capacities. He is also a school trustee. He was President of Muslim Welfare Society and is currently a member of the Society.

Among the various merchants in Soroti, Gulamhussein bhai is very prominent. He is well known for his humility, honesty and noble conduct. He still remembers all his old employers with sincere appreciation.

Source: Trade Directory p. 87