Encounter Tanzania
The tribes and cultures of Tanzania are every bit as fascinating as the wildlife and breathtaking landscapes that the country is popularly known for. What's even more interesting is that Tanzania is home to more than 120 tribes, all with their distinct traditions and customs. Naturally, the best way to learn about these new cultures and gain a deeper appreciation for diversity is to include a visit to these tribes in your itinerary. And while we cannot write about all the tribes in Tanzania, here are a few worth considering:
THE MASSAI
The Maasai are a Nilotic ethnic group inhabiting northern, central, and southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. They are among the best known local populations internationally due to their residence near the African Great Lakes' game parks and their distinctive customs and dress. The Maasai speak the Maa language, but many of them have become educated in the official languages of Kenya and Tanzania, Swahili, and English. The Maasai are pastoralists and are famous for their fearsome reputations as warriors and cattle-rustlers.
THE HADZABE
The Hadza, or Hadzabe, are an indigenous ethnic group in north-central Tanzania, living around Lake Eyasi in the central Rift Valley and the neighboring Serengeti Plateau. They are one of the last remaining hunter-gatherers in the world. There are, as of 2015, between 1,200 and 1,300 Hadza people living in Tanzania; however, only around 300-400 Hadza still survive exclusively based on the traditional means of foraging and hunting. Additionally, the increasing impact of encroaching pastoralists poses severe threats to continuing their traditional way of life.
THE DATOGA
During the 18th century, the Datoga occupied wide areas in Northern Tanzania; however, following the great Maasai expansion, they gradually lost plots of land and found themselves confined closer and closer to Lake Manyara and Lake Eyasi. They are agro-pastoral nomadic Nilotic speaking people who are skilled farmers and craftsmen. They are proud people and have a reputation as being fierce warriors. The colorful reddish color clothing worn by Datoga women are patched leather dresses. They also wear beadwork, brass bracelets, and necklaces which they craft themselves. The Datoga are also distinguishable by their decorative tattooing in circular patterns around their eyes.
THE IRAQW
The Iraqw are a Cushitic people of the Arusha and Manyara Regions of north-central Tanzania. Known for statuesque posture and sharp features, they are a withdrawn people who grow their own food and tend their cattle - selling off crops or animals only when necessary. The Iraqw language belongs to the South Cushitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic family and resembles Arabic. The areas surrounding Karatu town in the Arusha region are Iraqw homeland, and visitors can witness their locally developed intensive cultivation techniques. Traditionally in conflict with the Maasai, Iraqw homesteads included underground tunnels in which to hide. Visitors can see these elaborate structures during a visit to the Karatu area.
TANZANIA'S PEOPLE AND CULTURE
It is always very easy to stick to what we know rather than trying to meet new people who are completely different from you. But by trying to understand and embrace cultural differences, we can open ourselves up to a new world of exciting possibilities and experiences.
For instance, trying out the local food and taking cooking classes are great ways to understand another culture better. Interacting with Tanzanian locals during your trip or simply going out to explore your surroundings without an itinerary is also a fantastic way to gain insight into a new culture.
Feel free to visit the Cultural Heritage Center to learn about the region's rich history, learn the basics of the Swahili language, and read up a little about the tribes and country you intend to visit to have a better understanding of its people and culture.
At the end of the day, travel is a lot more than visiting a new place and taking photos for your Instagram page; it's about having a transformative experience, immersive yourself in other cultures, finding yourself in the process, and making a lasting impact.
““At the end of the day people won’t remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel.””