Rehmat Fazal Manji
- Parents
- Mohamed Hamir 1880–1943
- Partners
- Fazal Manji Lalji 1911
- Children
- Mohamed Fazal Manji 1947
Raibanu Rehmat (Mohamed Hamir) Fazal Manji was the youngest daughter of Alijah Mohamed Hamir (Nanabapa, as we addressed him), one of the pioneer of Iringa. He came to Tanganyika from Kutch around 1905-1906.He initially worked for his brothers in Bagamoyo and Iringa. He decided to go on his own and he started by trading inland in the region of Southern Highland of Tanganyika.At that time this region was called"Whiteman's grave" region and he travelled by foot to remote areas of Langenburg (Tukuyu) and Maya (Kyela) at the shores of Lake Nyassa (Malawi) He would have a native (Pagazi-carrier) to accompany him; they would carry on their backs, 2 bundles each of cotton clothing called Mirikhani. The journey would take 12 to 24 days, depending on the weather, to reach a distance of about 300 miles. The route was from Iringa to Tosmaganga, Madbira, Malangali, Makambako, Isangu, Igali and end at Tukuyu and Masoko After about 6-7 trips, he decided to open a "dukha" in Iringa; he rented a "Tembe" (native hut), at 3 rupees a month rent. A year later, he bought a plot near the present Jamatkhana in Iringa and he also sent a word to his wife Bachibai to travel to Tanganyika. She with their first daughter Fatma then travelled to Bagamoyo and they stayed there 6 months before proceeding to Iringa when the house, Nanabapa Mohamed Hamir was building, got completed.
He became a trusted trader under the German & latter British Administration. In 1929. during the world recession, he decided to build Jamatkhana in Iringa (next to his house) with his own money and which he completed that in early 1930s. He then gifted this Khoja Kutchi landmark, Iringa Jamatkhana with a clock tower to Imam Sultan Mohamed Shah Aga Khan.
My mother got married to my father Fazal Manji (Lalji), from Tukuyu, on 5th November 1931 in Iringa. This marriage was arranged by my father's aunt Raibanu Sikinabai Kanji Lalji who had promised Alijah Mohamed Hamir that one of her Lalji Bharmal nephews will marry one of Mohamed Hamir's daughters. Before marriage, my father and two Somji brothers - Yusuf and Hussein Rashid Somji were sharing the house they were living in Tukuyu. After my parent's marriage and their return to Tukuyu, both these Somji brothers made my mother their 'blood sister". This relation between my mother and Somji brother's families, over the time, remained very strong. This strong relation has continued with the next generation in Canada as well.
My parents had a retail business in Tukuyu. After the birth of second child in mid 1930's they moved to Mbeya and went on their own and were very successful in retail and wholesale business; also went into transport business which became 2nd largest private transport business in Mbeya. My mother played a major role in their success and my father was quite receptive to her input. She like her father Mohamed Hamir and her Hamir Uncles, was hard working, committed and resilient person. She was fully involved in the running of the business, buying of properties and overall family matters, Even following our move to Canada, all of us children, would seek her advice and input. They had total of 6 children; 3 sons Nurdin, Shamshudin, Mohamed and 3 daughters Kulsum, Malek and third daughter, a female infant who was stillborn.
She served as Kamadiani of Mbeya Jamat in 1942-43 period and Mukhiani of Mbeya Jamat in 1953-54 period. She also served as the Chairperson of the Mbeya Jamat Women Association. She became Raibanu when my father got the title of Rai for his services to Mbeya Jamat and as a Member of Ismaili Supreme Council of Tanganyika, representing Southern Highland Province.
In 1972, my parents moved to Canada. Initially they settled in Toronto and then moved to Vancouver in 1977.
She passed away on 4th April 1996 in Vancouver
Photo Gallery of the Life and Times of Raibanu Rehmat Fazal Manji.
_,_Uncle_Karim_Lalji_and_brother_Ladha_Manji_Lalji._Sitting-_Rehmat_Fazal_Manji_and_Nurbanu_Karim_Lalji.JPG)
Standing– Fazal Manji (Lalji) , Uncle Karim Lalji and brother Ladha Manji Lalji. Sitting- Rehmat Fazal Manji and Nurbanu Karim Lalji with her sons Fateh & Shamshu. Circa 1931 wedding .Iringa. Photos: Dr Moh'd Manji collection
Fazal & Rehmat Manji with family circa 1936 & 1946 Photos Dr Moh'd Manji
