State House (Ikulu)

Ikulu is the State House of the United Republic of Tanzania and was founded by Majid bin Said of Zanzibar in 1865.  It blends African and Arabian architecture, with wide verandas and covered walkways.  It has white walls and African terrazzo floors and stands in over 33 acres of grounds overlooking the Indian Ocean to the east.  The brass-studded west doors are surmounted by a replica of the Republic’s Coat of Arms and flanked by two giant drums.  During 2001 one of the entrances was adorned with two male lions overlooking guests as they were welcomed to the State House of The United Republic of Tanzania.  The building contains several gifts from state visitors, including an Ethiopian shield with crossed spears given by Emperor Haile Selassie (1892-1975).   There is also a representation of the coat-of-arms of the Republic of Tanganyika, given by the Government of India in 1961, which acts as a backdrop to the President’s seat in the Council Chamber.