People of Tanzania

Tanzania has more than 120 ethnic groups, mostly of Bantu origin. About twelve of these groups make up half the population of Tanzania, and of these the Sukuma are the largest. A remarkable characteristic of Tanzania is that despite the disproportionate representation of some of the tribes, no single ethnic group dominates with regard to power or political influence. The current estimate is that there are approximately 31 million people in Tanzania today spread unevenly throughout rural areas, close to the ocean or great lakes. The vast majority of the population (98%) is made up of two indigenous groups: Bantu-speakers whose activities revolve around agriculture and food production; and Nilotic-speakers who are pastoralists, originating from the Nile valley and who are primarily involved in cattle farming. The remaining 2% consists of Europeans, Asians and Arabs who dwell mainly in urban areas.

Regardless of the culture or ethnic origins of the tribes, ancient customs and family unit values are still widely adhered to. Rituals and feasting still mark the events of time from birth, coming of age and marriage until death. While there are too many tribes to list, we mention a few of the more major tribes:

Sukuma
The Sukuma are a Bantu-speaking tribe and live in the southern communities of Lake Victoria, although they are becoming increasingly spread out. They are the largest tribe in Tanzania and work together as a cooperative society ie. each member of the tribal group has a specific role in the planting and harvesting process. Music and dancing are an important aspect of Sukuma life and the tribe is famous for its snake-charming abilities. Dancers perform with live, writhing snakes wound around their neck and shoulders!

Makonde
The Makonde are a Bantu-speaking tribe found in southern Tanzania near the eastern shores of Lake Nyasa. They are a proud, traditional people, who, because of their remote location, have maintained many of their traditional customs despite the influence of western culture. The Makonde wood carvings are well known and are instrumental in relating their centuries old heritage and culture.

Chagga
The Chagga are a Bantu-speaking tribe from the southern slopes of Kilimanjaro. They were one of the first tribes to accept ecclesiatical influences - both religious and educational, which has contributed to their modern reputation as an educated people. Taking advantage of the richly fertile volcanic soil, they have succeeded in generating considerable income from the sale of coffee and other cash crops.

Haya
Like the Chagga, the Haya are a Bantu-speaking people who took a relatively early interest in education. As such they are found working throughout Tanzania. The main tribal area is around the western shores of Lake Victoria, which is densely populated. By practicing crop rotation of bananas and coffee, the Haya have successfully traded since before the arrival of the Europeans despite being some 1,400 Kms from the coast.

Hehe
The Hehe are a Bantu-speaking people who are settled predominantly in the Iringa Highlands region in the south of the country. Although little is known of their origins they do have a firm history as being fierce warriors, being one of very few tribes to claim major victories against the German colonial armies. Today they are a peaceful tribe and spend much of their time overseeing their agricultural crops and tending their cattle and goats. Although rich in tribal custom and ritual, education has become an important goal and so many western customs have been adopted.

Maasai
The Masaai are a Nilotic-speaking tribe (Maasai means 'speaker of the Maa language'). The Maasai consist of about 12 different groups defined by their geographical location. The largest group, the Ilkisongo, live in Tanzania and are found mostly in the northern plains and highland areas. They are a noticeably tall people, often seen wearing traditional clothing, with the young warriors - Ilmorani - carrying their traditional weapons. The Maasai are semi-nomadic pastoralists who consider both the land and the cattle to be sacred.

Iraqw
The Iraqw are a Cushitic-speaking people who live in north-central Tanzania. They are one of the most ancient tribes whose presence in Tanzania has been traced as far back as the first millennium BCE.