History

The history of the Abbey of Ndanda is closely linked with the development of the Apostolic Vicariate of South Zanzibar, which was entrusted to the Missionary Benedictines of St. Ottilien in 1887. After the destruction of the first monastery at Pugu and some lost years in the capital of Dar-es-Salaam, which was dominated by Islam, in 1894 the Apostolic Prefect Maurus Hartmann set out to occupy the huge territory of about 400.000 sqkm entrusted to him by Rome. His first foundations were Lukuledi and Nyagao in the hinterland of Lindi.
After the devastating rebellion of 1905, in which all the mission-stations in the south of Deutsch-Ost-Afrika Tanganyika were destroyed, Ndanda was started by bishop Thomas Spreiter on August 15 th in 1906 as a replacement for these two stations and a new central mission for the south-eastern area of his Vicariate.
In spite of difficult setbacks caused by the First World War (1914-1918), the expulsion of Bishop and all his missionaries of German nationality, Ndanda developed constantly and in 1927 together with the inland mission of Perarniho was elevated to the rank of an Abbey Nullius, called Lindi, with abbot Gallus Steiger at the helm.
In 1931 the vast territory was divided into two independent Abbeys, Ndanda and Peramiho. Abbot Gallus remained at Peramiho and Joachim Ammann OSB became the first Abbot of Ndanda. Two years later both abbots, Gallus and Joachim were ordained bishops. With a constant supply of new missionaries, it was possible to open in Ndanda a good number of new mission stations and the Church took root.
In 1938 the new Abbey Church was solemly blessed. Standing lonely, a sign that Ndanda took root. But again the Second World War (1939-1945) threatened to destroy everything. Most of the German missionaries were evacuated, many schools and outposts had to close down, Abbot Joachim became seriously ill and in 1947 resigned.
Viktor Hälg was appointed his coadjutor and in 1949 became his successor as Abbot-Bishop. Under his leadership and a renewed supply of missionaries the Church took really roots and even the Muslim coast could be opened up for the Gospel.
In the late 60ies Ndanda counted about 40 parishes, 220 outstations, 200 primary schools, three hospitals and 22 dispenseries, six middle-schools and the famous Abbey school at Ndanda, all cared for by about 120 missionaries and 10 African diocesan priests fifty Tutzing-Benedictine, 65 African Diocesan Sisters and 250 catechists.
In December 1972, Bishop was able to hand over the pastoral leadership of the territory to an African Bishop, Maurus Libaba. Ndanda renounced its title of Abbey Nullius and contented itself as an exempt abbey in the new Diocese of Mtwara.
Later the vast territory was devided into three dioceses: Mtwara, Lindi and Tunduru-Masasi, which count now about 260.000 Catholics, cared for by 120 African Diocesan priests and 280 African Sisters. Abbot-Bishop Viktor died in December 1975 and in February 1976 Abbot Siegfried Hertlein was elected as his successor. Step by step the monastery took on a new dimension. It has now definitely become a monastic center and mother-house for the Benedictine missionaries. In November 30 th 2000 Abbot Siegfried resigned and the community elected Abbot Dionys Lindermeier as its new leader. He was blessed on January 5 th 2001 and since then is fully in charge of the Abbey's activities.