Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Tribes of Tanzania

Tribes of Tanzania

Author: Robert Palmer

The  tribe of Tanzania

Tanzania is a country in Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda on the north, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the west, and Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique on the south. To the east it borders the Indian Ocean.
The country's name came after the united of  Tanganyika, the large mainland territory, and Zanzibar the offshore archipelago, British colonies united in 1964, forming the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, which later the same year was renamed the United Republic of Tanzania.

Tanzania is the 31st-largest country in the World with approximate 364875metre squares, it is slightly more than twice the size of the U.S. state of California.
Tanzania has many  famous features,  these include mountain, lakes and River . Tanzania is mountainous in the northeast, where Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak, is located. To the north and west are the Great Lakes of Lake Victoria (Africa's largest lake) and Lake Tanganyika (Africa's deepest lake, known for its unique species of fish species).
Tanzania contains many large and ecologically beautiful  wildlife parks, including the famous , Serengeti National Park in the north, and Selous Game Reserve and Mikumi National Park in the south. Gombe National Parks in the west is known as the site of Dr. Jane Goodall's studies of chimpanzee behavior.
The economy of Tanzania is mostly based in Agriculture, though there are other economic sector  which contribute  to the revenues of the country, these include Tourism, Industry and other social sectors.
Population division in Tanzania is extremely irregular. Density varies from 1 person per square kilometer  in dry regions to 51 per square kilometer  in the mainland's well-watered highlands to 134 per square kilometer (347 per sq. mi.) on Zanzibar. In Tanzania many people are living rural  area. Dar es Salaam   is the capital and largest city; Dodoma, located in the centre of Tanzania, has been dominated the new capital, although action to move the capital has stalled.
Tanzania consists of more than 120 ethnic groups, of which the Sukuma. The Sukuma are one  of the largest ethnic groups in Tanzania, with an estimate of 3.2 million members representing between 10-13 percent of the total country  population. Sukuma are located in many area of Tanzania, but mostly in east and south of lake Victory, Mwanza a city in Sukuma, is one of the largest and fastest growing area in Tanzania. These speak Bantu language, Sukuma-language.

The Nyamwezi  are the second-largest ethic in Tanzania. They live in the northwest central area of the country, between Lake Victoria and Lake Rukwa. The term Nyamwezi is of Swahili origin, which means "people of the moon".
Historically, there have been five tribal groups, all referring  as Wanyamwezi to outsiders these include Kimbu, Konongo, Nyamwezi, Sukuma, and Sumbwa, who were never united. . The Nyamwezi have close cultural ties with the Sukuma people.
The Chaga (also called Wachaga, Chagga, Jagga, Dschagga, Waschagga, or Wachagga) is  the third largest ethnic group in Tanzania. They live on the southern and eastern slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru, as well as in the Moshi area.  Their relative wealth comes from not only the favorable climate of the area, but also from successful agricultural methods which include great extensive irrigation systems and continuous fertilization practised for thousands of years. They were one of the first tribes in the area to convert to Christianity. This might have given them an economic "advantage" over other ethnic groups, as they had better access to education and health care as Christians.
Haya is among the  ethic in Tanzania, these people is situated in Kagera region,and they speak (OluHaya, Swahili:Kihaya) which is  a Niger-Congo language  in the south and southwest coast of Lake Victoria. In 1991, the population of Haya speakers was estimated at 1,200,000 people

The Nyakyusa (also called the Sokile, Ngonde or Nkonde) are an African ethnic and linguistic group who live in the fertile mountains of southern Tanzania, they speak the Nyakyusa language, a subset of the Bantu language. In 1993 the Nyakusa population was estimated to number 1,050,000, with 750,000 living in Tanzania and 300,000 in Malawi. The Nyakyusa were eager agriculturists. They practiced intensive crop rotation with corn, beans, squash, sorghum, millet, yams, etc., with banana plantations stretching for miles. Clearing and hoeing the land three to four hours a day was the responsibility of the men and his sons, never the women. The crops were used for food, beer, and hospitality, as well as for sale and barter. Neither old age nor high status excused a man from his duty to hoe. They were said to fear leaving their area for concern of being unable to exist without their accustomed food of meat, milk, bananas etc. Each year at the beginning of the rainy season, the Nyakyusa assemble at a place called 'Chikungu' where their chief Kyungu calls for rain. All villagers are told not to light fire in their homes in the morning of the ritual rain-calling ceremony.

Much of Zanzibar's population came from the mainland, one group known as Shirazis follows its origins to the island's early Persian settlers. Non-Africans residing on the mainland and Zanzibar account for 1% of the total population. The Asian community, including Hindus, Sikhs, Shi'a and Sunni  Parsis and Goans, has declined by 50% in the past decade to 50,000 on the mainland and 4,000 on Zanzibar. An estimated 70,000 Arabs and 10,000 Europeans .
Generally, each ethnic group has its own language, but the national language is Swahili,  and another official language is English.   
Also other  tribe found    in Tanzania's include, Zinza,
The Zinza are an ethnic and linguistic group based on the southwest shore of Lake Victoria and neighboring islands in Tanzania.
The Zaramo are a Bantu people who are based in eastern Tanzania, particularly in the area between Dar es Salaam and Bagamoyo. In 2000 the Zaramo population was estimated to number 656,730.  
The Zigua are an ethnic and linguistic group based near the Indian Ocean coast between Dar es Salaam and Tanga in Tanzania.
The Zanaki are an ethnic and linguistic group based in northwestern Tanzania. In 1987 the Zanaki population was estimated to number 62,000.
The Yao, is a major ethnic and linguistic group located at  the southern end of Lake Malawi, which played a significant part in the history of east Africa . The Yao are a predominantly Muslim people group of about 2 million spread over three countries, Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania and are one of the poorest people groups in the world.
The Vinza are an ethnic and linguistic group based in north-western Tanzania. In 1987 the Vinza population was estimated to number 10,000.
The Rungi are an ethnic and linguistic group based in western Tanzania, on the southeast shore of Lake Tanganyika. In 1987 the Rungi population was estimated to number 166,000.
 The Rwa are an ethnic and linguistic group based around Mount Meru in the Arusha Region of Tanzania. In 1987 the Rwa population was estimated to number 90,000.
The Rungwa are an ethnic and linguistic group based in the Mpanda District of Rukwa Region in western Tanzania. In 1987 the Rungwa population was estimated to number 18,000 .

The Sagara (or Sagala) are an ethnic and linguistic group based in central Tanzania. In 1987 the Sagara population was estimated to number 79,000.

The Sandawe are an agricultural ethnic group based in the Kondoa District of Dodoma Region in central Tanzania. In 2000 the Sandawe population was estimated to number 40,000.  
The Ngoni people are an ethnic group living in Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia, in east-central Africa. The  language used by Ngoni are Tumbuka, Chewa and Zulu, these are the major Christianity traditional in Tanzania

The Ngindo are an ethnic and linguistic group based in east-central Tanzania, south of the Rufiji River. In 1987 the Ngindo population was estimated to number 220,000 .

The Nyanyembe are an ethnic and linguistic group based in northern Tanzania.

The Nyaturu are an ethnic and linguistic group based in the Singida Region of north-central Tanzania. In 1993 the Nyaturu population was estimated to number 556,000.

The Nyiha are an ethnic and linguistic group located in southwestern Tanzania and northeastern Zambia. In 1993 the Nyiha population was estimated to number 626,000, of which 306,000 were in Tanzania and 320,000 were in Zambia.

Nyiramba is an ethnic group living mainly in Iramba, Singida region in central Tanzania. Their mother tongue is Kinyiramba, though majority can also speak Swahili.

The Rangi are an ethnic and linguistic group based in the Dodoma Region of central Tanzania. In 1999 the Rangi population was estimated to number 350,000.

The Manda are an ethnic and linguistic group based in Ludewa District in the Iringa Region of southern Tanzania, along the eastern shore of Lake Malawi, The  population of   Manda was estimated  22,000 recorded  in 2002.

The Matumbi are an ethnic and linguistic group based in Lindi Region in southern Tanzania, on the banks of the Ruvuma River.
The Machinga are an ethnic and linguistic group based in Lindi Region on the southern Indian Ocean coast of Tanzania.
The Makonde are an ethnic group in southeast Tanzania and northern Mozambique. They  generated their culture on the Mueda Plateau in Mozambique.  The Makonde population in Tanzania was estimated in 2001 to be 1,140,000, 358.

For more information on visiting Tanzania  Tanzania safari with Wild Things

For more information on visiting Tanzania's mountains contact Climb kilimanjaro with Mountain Kingdom

Monday, September 13, 2010

Watch Shaka Zulu The TV Series HERE (#1)

Greeting "Hello" in African Languages

How to say "hello" in:


Angola
Portuguese: Bom Dia (Good Morning), Boa tarde (Good afternoon), Boa noite (Good evening)

Botswana
Setswana: Dumela mma/rra (to woman/man)
English: Hello

Burkina Faso
French: Bonjour
Dioula: in-i-che

Cameroon
French: Bonjour
English: Hello (in the west of Cameroon)

Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
French: Bonjour
Dioula: in-i-che

Egypt
Arabic: salaam aleikum
English: Hello

Ethiopia
Amharic: teanastellen
English: Hello

Gabon
French: Bonjour

Ghana
Twi: ete-sen
Ga: meeng-gah-bou (spoken in the capital Accra)
Hausa: sannu (spoken in northern Ghana)
English: Hello

Kenya
Swahili: Salama/Jambo
English: Hello



Lesotho
South Sotho: Lumela
English: Hello

Libya
Arabic: salaam aleikum

Madagascar
Malagasy: Salama
French: Bonjour

Malawi
Chichewa: Moni
English: Hello

Mali
French: Bonjour
Bambara: i-ni-cheh
Tamashek: met-al-ee-khah(Tuareg language)

Mauritania
Arabic: salaam aleikum
Hassaniya: sa-la-mah ah-lay-kum

Morocco
Arabic: salaam aleikum
French: Bonjour

Mozambique
Portuguese: Bom Dia (Good Morning), Boa tarde (Good afternoon), Boa noite (Good evening)

Namibia
Afrikaans: Hallo
Damara/Nama: !gai//oas (spoken in the south and southeast)
Herero/Himba: Tjike (spoken in the north central and northwest)
English: Hello

Nigeria
Hausa: sannu
Igbo: ee-bow-lah-chee(southeastern Nigeria)
Yoruba: bah-oh
English: Hello
French: Bonjour

Rwanda
French: Bonjour

Senegal
French: Bonjour
Fulfulde: no ngoolu daa
Wolof: na nga def

Sierra Leone
Krio: How de body?

South Africa
Zulu: Sawubona
Xhosa: Molo
Afrikaans: Hallo
English: Hello

Sudan
Arabic: salaam aleikum

Swaziland
Swati: Sawubona
English: Hello

Tanzania
Swahili: Salama/Jambo
English: Hello

Togo
French: Bonjour

Tunisia
French: Bonjour
Arabic: salaam aleikum

Uganda
Swahili: Salama/Jambo
English: Hello

Zambia
English: Hello
Bemba: Muli shani

Zimbabwe
English: Hello
Shona: Mhoroi
Ndebele: Sawubona


Resource:

http://goafrica.about.com/od/peopleandculture/a/africangreeting.htm

Out Of Africa (Music, Dance , Food, Fashion, and Art)

Africa is a vast continent with an enormous amount of history and culture. Some of the most wonderful things to have come out of it are:
Music
Each region has a distinct musical history, tradition, and sound. North Africa has very close ties with music from the Middle East, while East Africa has been influenced by Arabic music, as well as Indian, Indonesian, and Polynesian music. South, Central, and West Africa draw many of their influences from Western Europe and North America. They enjoy genres such as soca, calypso, rumba and salsa.
Dance
Dancing in Sub-Saharan Africa tends to be representative of community life. The sound of rhythm of the drums expresses the mood of the people while its beat signifies the pulse of the community. Traditionally dance is done collectively and often teaches social patterns and values. It’s used as a channel to express joy and sorrow, to recount stories, proverbs, and history.
Food
The cultural and ethnic diversity of Africa is reflected in the ingredients and preparation styles used in their cooking. Central Africa’s basic ingredients are plantains and cassava and its style remains relatively uninfluenced. East African cooking however has adapted itself to the tastes of its settlers. Rice is steamed with saffron and other spices brought in by the Persians, and meat is often marinated and roasted as was taught by the Portuguese. North African cooking incorporates Middle Eastern ingredients and serves meat that has been prepared in clay tagines.
Fashion
Traditional African clothing is vibrant in colour. Textiles are a large part of African cultural heritage, where the weaving tends to be done by the men while the women spin the thread. In North-eastern Africa the traditional costume is the embroidered Jellabiya, while in the North West Dashikis and Djellabas are the custom. In East Africa it is common for women to wear a Kanga or Gomesi and for Swahili men to wear Kanzus. Today’s Western fashion sees many African influences, namely in the patterns, colours and cuts of clothing.
Art
Again, diversity is the word. While styles and mediums vary by region, culture, and artist, the key emphasises and themes are; the human figure, visual abstraction, sculpture, and performance art. Many of the great twentieth century Western artists, including Picasso, Van Gogh, and Modigliani were influenced by African art. Contemporary African art has seen the emergence of some brilliant and internationally known artists.
Author Resource:- Aspiga was set up in 2005 to supply the best of hand made beachware from local manufacturers in Kenya. Products include hand made sandals and belts, beachwear (sarongs, kikoys and dresses), swimwear and bags. All items are of the highest quality.http://www.aspiga.com/women/kikoy-collection/all/

Watch Nigeria Fashion Show

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWJcj99Iwtg

Thursday, September 2, 2010

One of the Best African Dance Companies in America

Diamano Coura West African Dance Company is a nonprofit cultural organization dedicated to the preservation, education, and appreciation of traditional West African music, dance, theater, and culture. Since its inception in 1975, Diamano Coura, under Director Dr. Zak Diouf and Artistic Director Naomi Washington, has implemented its mission through ongoing workshops, performances, youth programs, touring engagements, lecture demonstrations, community outreach, and creative partnership programs with renowned artists and performing companies. In addition, Diamano Coura strives to portray West African music and dance specifically as forms not simply for entertainment or exhibition, but rather, means by which communities educate, communicate, organize, and preserve their ancestral past. Diamano Coura, in the Senegalese Wolof language, means "those who bring the message."

Check out website:

African/World History "Slave Castle" Explained