The proud Tribes of Tanzania
Tanzania is a vibrant tapestry of cultures, with more than 120 unique ethnic groups and tribes. The majority of Tanzania’s tribes hail from the Bantu branch, making up an impressive 95% of the population. The remaining tribes include the Nilotic speakers and the indigenous hunter-gatherer descendants, each with their own rich history and culture. A small percentage of Tanzanians also have Arabic and Indian ancestry, mostly found in the coastal regions of Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar.
The history of Tanzania’s tribes can be traced back to the Khoisan-speaking hunter-gatherers, presumed to be the earliest inhabitants of Tanzania. Over the centuries, waves of diverse tribes migrated into the region, mostly Bantu-speaking people from West and Central Africa. They introduced ironworking and new agricultural skills, significantly influencing the landscape of tribal ethnicity in Tanzanian society.
In Tanzania, there are still tribes living traditionally, mostly in the villages. In urban areas and other places, many tribes have blended with modern life, but they still proudly identify as part of their tribe. They live in houses in areas mixed with other tribes and religions, and they continue to practice their traditional beliefs.
The largest ethnic group, the Sukuma, represents nearly 13% of the total population followed by the Nyamwezi and the Chagga.
Let' have a closer look inside:
The Sukuma
The Sukuma are the largest ethnic group in Tanzania with an estimated 10 million members, and they have a rich and fascinating history. They reside in the northwestern regions of the country, primarily within the administrative districts of Mwanza and Shinyanga. And it’s not just there – some Sukuma are scattered across Tabora, Dodoma, and even Singida provinces, spreading their vibrant culture far and wide.
The Sukuma are a Bantu ethnic group from the southeastern African Great Lakes region.
Sukuma means “north” and refers to “people of the north.”
The Sukuma refer to themselves as Basukuma (plural) and Nsukuma (singular). They speak Sukuma, which belongs to the Bantu branch of the Niger-Congo family. They are a force to be reckoned with, both in business and politics, and they’re not alone in that. The Chagga and Indian and Arab minorities are also playing a big part.
There is limited historical documentation available about the Sukuma, it is believed that their ancestors originated from the Bantu-speaking populations in West Africa. Their migration to their current location in Tanzania is an epic tale of adventure and resilience, spanning centuries.
The Sukuma are an agricultural community, growing crops and practising small-scale farming. And let’s not forget their dance, the ‘Bugobogobo‘, the snake dance, an essential element within many of their medicinal and spiritual rituals.
Beliefs in a High God are widely held but involve no special cult. Ancestor worship is the main element in the religious complex. Chiefs’ ancestors are thought to influence the lives of the inhabitants of their domains, but ordinary ancestors only affect their own descendants. Belief in witchcraft is widespread and strong.
The Nyamwezi
In the vibrant region of Western Tanzania, the Nyamwezi tribe proudly stands as the second largest ethnic group after the Sukuma. Their name, Nyamwezi, translates to “people of the moon,” which is a really interesting reference to their ancient traditions of moon worship.
It is believed that the Nyamwezi people settled in west-central Tanzania in the 17th century, and their rich cultural heritage has only become more vibrant over time. The tribe consisted of several kingdoms in the early 19th century, including the impressive Unyanyembe, Ulyankhulu, and Urambo.
The Unyanyembe kingdom was particularly influential, controlling the important trading city of Tabora and enjoying close relations with the Arabs of Zanzibar. Throughout their history, the Nyamwezi people were intrepid explorers and traders, engaging in long-distance trade and exploration.
In their traditional society, ancestral spirits played a pivotal role in everyday life. The Nyamwezi people had a deep respect for their ancestors, believing them to have the incredible power to positively or negatively influence the lives of the living. This belief led to a rich and vibrant tradition of rituals and forms of worship designed to appease these spirits.
The Chagga
The Chagga, also known as Wachaga in Swahili, are an amazing Bantu ethnic group hailing from the beautiful Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania. They are the third-largest ethnic group in the nation, making them a key player in Tanzania’s cultural and social landscape. The Chagga were traditionally organised into sovereign states which existed on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro before colonization. The region is further divided into three districts – Hai to the west, Rombo to the east, and Vunjo in the center.
Traditionally the Chagga people belonged to different clan groups ruled by mangis (chiefs). Examples of clan group names include Moshi, Swai, Marealle, Lvimo, and Mrema. The area was thus divided into independent chiefdoms. The chiefs were known to wage wars against each other and at times to form alliances between themselves in their struggle for power. They live in traditional homesteads called Kihamba, which are family plots of land that have been passed down through generations.
The Chagga are a powerful tribe, and the Arusha / Moshi region is a powerful one. While some people still live traditionally, many have also built beautiful, modern houses, blending the best of both worlds.
There are no nucleated villages on Kilimanjaro. Each household lives in the midst of its own banana-coffee garden, and the gardens, one next to another, stretch all over the mountain. The gardens are, for the most part, ringed with living fences that mark their boundaries. In the older areas of settlement, male tend to own and reside in contiguous homestead gardens, forming localized patrilineal clusters.
Like many other traditional ethnic groups in Tanzania, they have a special traditional cultural asset that they continue to cultivate to this day, which is absolutely fantastic!
For the Chagga, this is mbege, a delicious alcoholic drink made from ripe bananas and sprouted millet flour, which is a must at all important social events.
Although the flavour of mbege is more reminiscent of wine, it is most commonly referred to as beer. And what’s really exciting is that this traditional drink is brewed by women, keeping alive a unique cultural practice. The production process is relatively time-consuming and labour-intensive, requiring many helping hands in between.
The Chagga people are recognized for their entrepreneurial spirit, politics, and strong work ethics. They run tiny enterprises, whereas the youthful people work as clerks, teachers, and administrators. The Chagga people live on the southern slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro, which has two peaks: Kibo and Mawenzi. Chagga culture places a high value on greetings. Traditionally, their marriage ceremonies were lengthy, beginning with betrothed formalities and continuing long after the couple was married.
Today, Christian couples marry in churches, with a strong emphasis on having a son to carry on the lineage. A rite called Kisusa is done for every child at the age of 12 to reduce hooliganism, and after a month, a purification ceremony is performed, and a goat is killed.
The Maasai
In a truly fascinating contrast, the Maasai (and a few other tribes like the Hadzabe) still live in such a traditional way, which is just amazing! Even when they come to the city, they still wear their traditional clothes, stick together, and speak their language.
The Maasai people have their roots in the Nile Valley in North Africa, and it’s fascinating to learn about their rich history and cultural traditions. From there, they began an incredible journey southwards, eventually settling in the beautiful countries of Kenya and Tanzania. During the late 17th and 18th centuries, the Maasai were at their zenith, dominating much of East Africa’s landscapes.
The tribe is renowned for its vibrant customs and attire, and they lead a semi-nomadic lifestyle, primarily focused on livestock herding.
Their vibrant dress code, known as the ‘Shuka’, is a sight to behold, as are their beaded jewellery and the remarkable body modification practices, including ear piercing and stretching.
The warrior initiation ceremony, known as ‘Eunoto’, is a truly significant cultural event, where young Maasai men transition to elderhood, granting them new responsibilities within the tribe.
A man’s wealth is evaluated in terms of children and livestock, but he is also deemed poor if he has a large number of animals but no children.
Most serious disagreements and concerns are occasionally resolved by retired elders and elder Maasai men, who are strongly patriarchal in nature. They are monolithic in character and worship Enkai or Engai as their god. Maasai music is usually composed of rhythms delivered by a chorus of harmonies performed by vocalists, while the melody is sung by the olaranyani (song leader).
The Hehe
The Hehe tribe, known for their resilience and warrior traditions, dominate the Iringa Region in south-central Tanzania. The population ist estimated of 1.650.000 people.
The Hehe Tribe’s cultural heritage is absolutely fascinating! It’s a captivating combination of customs, artwork, and beliefs. Their vibrant artwork, with its beadwork and fabrics, reflects their deep connection to the natural world and spirituality. Their deep respect for their customs is evident in the vibrant dance and music they incorporate into their major events, especially harvests. These customs not only beautifully describe the tribe but also showcase their deep and profound connection to the land.
One of the most striking aspects of the Hehe tribe is its warrior tradition. The Hehe people were once well-known for their fierce resistance to external forces. With the support of their fearless warriors, who were renowned for their bravery and cleverness, they drove the invaders back! The tribe’s identity is closely tied to its warrior culture, which stands for their determination and dedication to maintaining their way of life.
The arrival of European colonists had a significant impact on the Hehe and other native African communities. The battle between the Hehe tribe and German colonisers in the late 1800s marked a turning point. Led by the intrepid Chief Mkwawa, they bravely opposed German rule. Despite their bravery, the colonial force won, and Chief Mkwawa suffered a horrific death. Colonialism brought changes, including land loss, forced labour and cultural shifts, which created new opportunities for the Hehe. But despite the odds, the Hehe’s strong spirit managed to safeguard some of their precious cultural artefacts for future generations. This element of their cultural heritage is notable and remembered even today.
Socially and economically, the Hehe people engage mainly in farming and animal husbandry.
The Gogo
The Gogo tribe consists of a Central Bantu ethnic group residing in the Dodoma Region of central Tanzania. They are part of the wider Bantu peoples who migrated across Africa approximately 2.000 to 3.000 years ago. The Gogo have historically been predominantly pastoralist and patrilineal (tracing descent and inheritance through the male line), but many contemporary Gogo now practice settled agriculture, have migrated to urban areas, or work on plantations throughout Tanzania.
Dodoma became a name before it became a town. There are different stories about how it happened:
One story is that some Wagogo stole a herd of cattle from their southern neighbours the Wahehe; the Wagogo killed and ate the animals, preserving only the tails, and when the Wahehe came looking for the lost herd all they found were the tails sticking out of a patch of swampy ground. ”Look”, said the Wagogo, ”Your cattle have sunk in the mud, Idodomya”. Dodoma in chigogo means ”it has sunk”.
There is yet another story which is most commonly accepted on the name Dodoma. An elephant came to drink at the nearby Kikuyu stream (so named after the Mikuyu fig trees growing on its banks) and got stuck in the mud. Some local people who saw it exclaimed ”Idodomya” and from that time on the place became known as Idodomya, the place where it sank.
The traditional staple food was a thick porridge (ugali) made from sorghum or millet flour. It was consumed with a side dish made from green vegetables, meat, or mhopota (churned milk).
The Gogo people are as diverse and vibrant as their history. They are known for their traditional music, featuring local instruments like the Zeze (a two-stringed instrument), a variety of drums, and the unique Ndono, a single-string instrument made from a calabash.
The Haya
Residing in the Kagera region near the shores of Lake Victoria, the Haya people have a rich cultural history. The Haya have had a complex kingship-based political system. Agriculture, particularly banana farming, is central to Haya economic life. They are credited with the independent development of carbon steel dating to 2000 years ago using pre-heating techniques.
Also known as Wahaya in Swahili, they are believed to have descended from a group of iron-using agriculturists who expanded into different parts of Africa. This is very interesting because these Iron Age people sharpened out a future that would lead to the Haya people we know today.
Experts believe they began producing steel, or hard metal, as far back as 2000 years ago. This means that these early people had discovered clever ways to mix metals to make them before many others around the world.
Traditionally, the Haya are a patrilineal society structured around a clan system (oluganda) with a common totem (omuziro) that all members collectively identify with. Totems are typically an animal, and each clan has proscriptions such as not eating their totem or causing it harm.
The traditional Haya house is called a mushonge. Made out of flexible reeds, wooden poles, banana fiber, and grass, mushonge are built from the top down and are circular in shape with a conical peak. The word mushonge comes from the Haya term mushongole, translated as someone who is wealthy, powerful, and respected. Construction of a mushonge includes the performance of rituals as well as the consumption of alcohol during and after its completion. The spatial arrangement of each mushonge is defined by wooden poles for structural support and include sections for men and women, corralling animals, and shrines honoring ancestors. It is said the size of the mushonge reflected the social hierarchy of the village, with the chief’s being the largest followed by religious authorities, clan leaders, sub-clan leaders, and common people. Haya kings often moved throughout their kingdom and lived in a similar structure called a nyaruju (palace).
The Makonde
Originating from Mozambique, the Makonde tribe settled in the southern part of Tanzania, particularly the Mtwara region.
The ethnic group is roughly divided by the Ruvuma River; members of the group in Tanzania are referred to as the Makonde, and those in Mozambique as the Maconde. The two groups have developed separate languages over time but share a common origin and culture.
The Makonde people are world-renowned for their skills in woodcarving and intricate artwork on ebony wood, featuring human and animal forms as well as abstract pieces.
Among the Bantu-speaking Makonde, tattoos were and continue to be far more elaborate than those of other indigenous peoples living in Mozambique. The resonance of tattooing tradition here can partly be attributed to the landscape in which the Makonde inhabit, a place characterized by relatively inaccessible high plateaus that deterred European and Western contact until the turn of the 20th century;
and also to Makonde cosmology and myth which to this day praises the deeds, knowledge, and superior physical attributes of the “great” ancestors of the past, especially tattooed women who became god-like after death.
The tribe possesses a matrilineal lineage system, with remarkable importance given to a woman’s side of the family. The Makonde also have an annual initiation ceremony, known as Nguvumali, where young boys and girls transition into adulthood, marked by traditional teachings and symbolic rituals.
The Pare
Living in North-East Tanzania, the Pare tribe is divided into two subgroups – the Asu and Chasu with a total population from 750.000 people.
The Pare people are members of an ethnic group indigenous to the Pare Mountains of northern Tanzania, part of the Kilimanjaro Region. The Pare mountains provide an ideal environment for their agricultural lifestyle, noted for growing bananas, beans, maize, and coffee.
The Pare people are members of an ethnic group indigenous to the Pare Mountains of northern Tanzania, part of the Kilimanjaro Region. The Pare mountains provide an ideal environment for their agricultural lifestyle, noted for growing bananas, beans, maize, and coffee.
The Pare people have a unique social structure consisting of independent small polities, each headed by a hereditary ruler, indicating their political organization’s complexity.
Makande is a typical dish of the Pare tribe and is popular throughout Tanzania. The dish is a stew of maize, red beans, onions, garlic, tomatoes, and chicken stock. It is usually prepared on Friday and lasts through Sunday evening, giving people more time to socialize during the weekend without worrying about cooking. The food is kept in a large clay pot on damp ground so it stays cool.
Kishumba is a traditional Pare dish of banana cooked with red beans and crushed to make a hard porridge.
Vughai is a traditional Pare dish of hard porridge prepared with banana, cassava or maize flour. It is served with vegetable, beans or meat/fish/chicken stew (or both if available). When served with meat/chicken, it is considered as a welcoming dish for guests.
The Pare were the main producers of iron for which there was considerable demand from the Chagga and Maasai people, as well as other adjacent populations. Notable Pare blacksmiths include the Shana clan (Shana meaning blacksmith), who have maintained the tradition to this day.
The Pare were also known as rainmakers, one notable exponent being Mfumwa Muhammad Kibacha Singo, a local ruler of Same who died in January 1981. In these rituals (as well as other cultural practices e.g. healing, initiation, etc.), spiritual figurines were often used that had been artistically sculptured out of clay or wood, and wrapped in either cloth and/or leather.
Pare people are known to have a variety of medicine for all sorts of diseases, largely enabled by the fertile area with natural vegetation and an unpolluted land with few people.
Kirumu (eye infection of the newborn) may be neonatal conjunctivitis. The juice of leaves from a plant called mwore was used as a cure. Mtoro (diarrhea) used the ash of the root of wild banana was administered orally as its medicine.
A significant cultural highlight is the Ijanja dance, a traditional performance incorporating rhythmic movements and sounds that create an alluring spectacle.
The Makua
Although predominantly found in Mozambique, the Makua tribe also has a considerable presence in Tanzania, particularly in the Mtwara region.
Their societal structure is traditionally patriarchal, with significant emphasis on male lineage. Culturally, the Makua tribe is known for its weaving, with men creating mats and women baskets.
The Makua are well known for holding tight to their traditional African worship and their unique white “musiro” facial mask.
Many believe they originated on a sacred mountain called mount Namuli. There is a cave on the mountain from which all the animals were born. A female foot is said to be imprinted on the outside of the cave – hence the matrilineal family structure.
A mythical legend, in the oral tradition of the Makua people, tells that their ancestor were the first man and woman born of Namuli which is their original home, while other living creatures came from nearby mountains.
The Makua people have a documented history of metal ore processing and tools manufacturing. The colonial era Portuguese naturalist, Manuel Galvao da Silva for example, described iron mines of the Makua people. The extracted metal was then worked into axes, knives, spear, rings and other items.
Makua people believe in their traditional ancient African worship. About 67% of Makua people practice ethnic traditional religions. Some statistics list the Makua as the largest animistic people group in Africa. They believe in a God (“Muluku”) who created the whole world and are almighty, but who is also remote and not involved in the ordinary daily things of humans. The forefathers are treated as intermediaries between them and God.
They have a saying in Makhua:
“Muluku mukumi, makholo murette”: God is life, the forefathers are medicine. This is a very significant saying. Muluku (God) is life – He is the author of life. He is the creator of all things. We have already received life. What is now needed from time to time is not life, but medicine – we need the forefathers during our lives, but God to give life. He is also almighty and knows everything. But he is aloof and not involved.
The Makua regards death as unwanted, accidental and an called for event and caused by bad spirits or man. They believe that God never created us as his beloved sons and daughter only to kill us in the end. They also believe that there are strong forces or spirits which are more powerful than God Himself and that is why we loose our lives and die. There is no death in Makua which is not connected with witchcraft or bad spirits.
They are also well-known for their music and dance, incorporating complex rhythms and melodies into their performances.
The culture has a rich musical tradition that includes accapella as well as traditional percussion and instrumentation. Dancing is a large part of celebrations and religious ceremonies.
Makua men dance on two-foot-tall stilts, hopping around the village for hours, bedecked in colorful outfits and masks.
Story-telling is another traditional art form as much of the area maintains a low literacy rate.
The Zaramo
The Zaramo tribe, known for its strong matrilineal society, predominantly inhabits the coastal region of Tanzania, centering around Tanzania’s biggest city, Dar es Salaam. The Zaramo people practice a blend of traditional religions and Islam, which has been prevalent in this region since the 18th century.
As farmers and fishermen, the Zaramo cultivate staple crops such as corn, rice, beans, and cassava. Besides agriculture, the tribe is adept at artistry and craftsmanship.
The Zaramo were involved in long-distance trade and slave trade in the nineteenth century. They demanded payment from all caravans that passed through their land, and they were themselves expert slave hunters. The Zaramo leaders not only sold slaves to Arab and Swahili traders on the coast but also kept some slaves for their own use. They also traded in ivory, salt, fish, gum copal, and rhinoceros hides.
The traditional dance called Mdundiko. Have a closer look inside!
Their artistic expressions include pottery, wood carving and basketry.
While anyone can learn to make basketry, it is usually taught through family. Basketry-makers are called fundi kusuka, “masters of plaiting.” Basketry, like pottery, is considered a part-time job only. It is typical for men to handle weaving that uses bamboo and for women to do the weaving that uses palm leaves. Men usually perform the decorating.
The Zigua
The Zigua people, located in the Tanga region of Tanzania, are an ethnic group with strong agricultural practices, largely cultivating rice, millet, cassava, and regular fishing in the coastal areas. They are farmers growing sisal, a fibrous plant used to make rope and mats. They also grow sesame and corn.
The Zigua are a close-knit community. They live together in mud-walled and grass-thatched huts clustered together.
Historically, the Zigua people played a significant role in long-distance trade along the caravan routes between the East African coast and Lake Tanganyika.
In the Zigua culture, dance and music hold a prominent place in their traditional rituals and ceremonies. One such event is the “Ukala” dance, which is a hunting dance. Utilizing instruments such as drums and rattles, the performers enchant their audiences through a combination of rhythmic sounds and chants.
The Hadza
The Hadza tribe, considered the indigenous tribe in Tanzania, continue to live a hunter-gatherer lifestyle. They are noted for their unique ‘clicking’ languages, sharing similar linguistic features with the Khoisan languages spoken by the definitive San people of Southern Africa.
The Hadza living around Lake Eyasi in the central Rift Valley and in the neighboring Serengeti Plateau.
There are between 1.200 and 1.300 Hadza people, although the increasing impact of tourism and encroaching pastoralists pose serious threats to the continuation of their traditional way of life.
Genetically, the Hadza are not closely related to any other people.
The Hadza’s ancestors have probably lived in their current territory for tens of thousands of years. Hadzaland is just 50 kilometres from Olduvai Gorge, an area sometimes called the “Cradle of Mankind” because of the number of hoinin fossils found there, and 40 kilometres from the prehistoric site of Laetoli. Archaeological evidence suggests that the area has been continuously occupied by hunter gatherers much like the Hadza since at least the beginning of the Later Stone Age, 50.000 years ago. It is possible that their oral history, mentioned above, recalls earlier hominins and such as Homo erectus, Homo heidelbergensis, and Homo sapiens idaltu.
Although the Hadza do not make rock art today, they consider several rock art sites within their territory, probably at least 2.000 years old, to have been created by their ancestors, and their oral history does not suggest they moved to Hadzaland from elsewhere.
The Hadza’s territory has seen increasing encroachment from neighbouring peoples. The western Hadza lands are on a private hunting reserve, and the Hadza are officially restricted to a reservation within the reserve and prohibited from hunting there. The Yaeda Valley, long uninhabited due to the tsetse fly, is now occupied by Datooga herders; the Datooga are clearing the Hadza lands on either side of the now fully settled valley for pasture for their goats and cattle. They hunt out the game, and the clearing destroys the berries, tubers, and honey that the Hadza rely on, and watering holes for their cattle cause the shallow watering holes the Hadza rely on to dry up.
While men specialize in procuring meat, honey, and baobab fruit, women specialize in tubers, berries, and greens. This division of labor is rather apparent, but women will occasionally gather a small animal or egg, or gather honey, and men will occasionally bring a tuber or some berries back to camp.
Honey represents a substantial portion of the Hadza diet and is an important food for many hunter-gatherer societies living in the tropics.
The Iraqw
The Iraqw People are the Cushitic-speaking ethnic group inhabiting the northern Tanzanian regions. They are a significant group in originating in southwestern Arusha and Manyara regions of Tanzania, near the Rift Valley. The Iraqw people settled in the southeast of Ngorongoro Crater in northern Karatu District, Arusha Region, where they are the majority ethnic group.
The Iraqw people have a culture that is both distinct and deeply rooted in their history and traditions. Around the 16th century, the Iraqw is said to have traveled from Ethiopia to Tanzania. When they finally found a place to call home, they took up farming and pastoralism in the Rift Valley.
The Iraqw people have developed their own distinct culture in part due to the fact that their language is unrelated to any others in the area.
The language, music, dancing, and cuisine of the Iraqw people are all expressions of a rich and varied culture. A major differentiating factor in the Iraqw people is their language. To this day, the vast majority of Iraqis use this tonal language, which has its own alphabet, to communicate.
Like with every culture, music, and dance play a significant role in Iraqw tradition. They employ drums called ngomas in their traditional dances, and there are other instruments like xylophones and lyres. The Iraqw has its own dancing style as well, one that is full of precise footwork and rhythmic moves.
The Iraqw have their own distinct culinary tradition stemming from their farming techniques, and food plays a major role in their society. They cultivate a wide range of crops, from maize to beans to millet, all of which end up in staples like ugali (maize meal) and wali wa nazi (coconut rice).
In addition to their artistic prowess, the Iraqw people are renowned for their craftsmanship in the fields of ceramics and weaving. They make functional ceramics, including casseroles, serving dishes, and jugs in the classic style. In addition, they use native materials like sisal and palm leaves to construct baskets and mats.
The Iraqw people are also quite devout in their belief that there is a higher power responsible for creating the universe. A profound belief in ancestor worship and the continued influence of the dead is central to their culture.
Each Tanzanian tribe infuses the country with its unique cultural, historical, and social attributes. Together, they exemplify the rich diversity that Tanzania offers, echoing a genuinely African tapestry of tribal cultures that is not merely surviving but thriving within the geographical confines of this East African nation.
We invite you to our culture rich country on your next safari! Karibu sana!
