Culture is the essence and spirit of any nation, A country which lack its own culture is no more than a collection of people without the spirit which makes them as a nation

Brief about Tanzania

Name: United Republic of Tanzania.

Conventional short form: Tanzania

Nationality: Tanzanian(s)

Adjective: Tanzanian

Data code: TZ

Government type: Republic

Head of Government: The Executive President

Government Headquarters: Dar-es-Salaam (later to be transferred to Dodoma)

Government’s system: Parliamentarian

Official Currency: Tanzania Shilling.

Major languages: Swahili

Major religions: Christianity, Islam

Main exports: Sisal, cloves, coffee, cotton, cashew nuts, minerals, tobacco and grapes

Tanzania, a land of spectacular beauty, and one of the largest countries in Africa, is a union (formed in 1964) between the mainland (Tanganyika), and the Zanzibar Isles consisting of Unguja (also known as Zanzibar) and Pemba. It lies on the east coast of Africa, between 1degree and 11degrees south of the Equator. It is bordered to the north by Kenya and Uganda. To the west is Zaire, Rwanda, Burundi and Zambia, and to the south are Malawi and Mozambique. It covers an area of 945,000 sq. km, the size of Denmark, France, the Netherlands, the Republic of Ireland, and the United Kingdom combined. Tanzania comprises a coastal lowland, volcanic highlands and the Great Rift Valley and includes within its territory, Africa's highest peak.

Tanzania is the only country in the world which has allocated at least 25 per cent of its total area to wildlife national parks and protected areas. The total protected area is equivalent to the size of the Federal Republic of Germany and Belgium combined. The 55,000 sq. km Selous Game Reserve, the largest single wildlife area in Africa, is bigger than Belgium, Costa Rica, Denmark, Burundi, Israel, Lesotho and Kuwait respectively.

Tropical weather prevails over most of Tanzania. The coastal area is hot and humid. In the northern circuit cool weather prevails from May to September. The hottest months for the whole country are from October to February. The long rains are from March to May, and the short rains from October to November. Coastal areas and the islands have tropical climate, whereas the central plateau is semi-arid and the highlands are semi-temperature. .

History of Tanzania

The African Great Lakes nation of Tanzania dates formally from 1964, when it was formed out of the union of the much larger mainland territory of Tanganyika and the coastal archipelago of Zanzibar. The former was a colony and part of German East Africa from the 1880s to 1919, when, under the League of Nations, it became a British mandate. It served as a military outpost during World War II, providing financial help, munitions, and soldiers. In 1947, Tanganyika became a United Nations Trust Territory under British administration, a status it kept until its independence in 1961. Zanzibar was settled as a trading hub, subsequently controlled by the Portuguese, the Sultanate of Oman, and then as a British protectorate by the end of the nineteenth century.

Julius Nyerere, independence leader and "baba wa taifa for Tanganyika" (father of the Tanganyika nation), ruled the country for decades, assisted by Abeid Amaan Karume, the Zanzibar Father of Nation. Following Nyerere's retirement in 1985, various political and economic reforms began. He was succeeded in office by President Ali Hassan Mwinyi (1985-1995) and then followed by president Benjamin mkapa (1995-2005), Jakaya Kikwete (2005- up to date).

the most economic activities in Tanzania including Agriculture, Tourism, fishing , Transportation and Communication (port, airways and railways) ,mining of minerals such as Tanzanite, Gold, Diamond and natural gas.

Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere died on 14th October 1999 aged seventy seven.

Mwalimu Julius Nyerere left side and Karume right side

The People of Tanzania.

The evocative mix of people and cultures in Tanzania creates a tapestry of memories for the visitor.

Since the dawn of mankind, when the savannahs of east and southern Africa saw the birth of humanity, Tanzania has been home to countless peoples of many different origins. Tanzania's history has been influenced by a procession of peoples, from the original Bantu settlers from south and west Africa to the Arabs from Shiraz in Persia and the Oman; from the Portuguese to the Germans and the British. Tanzanians took control of their own destiny with independence in 1961.

It has a population of over 45 million( census 2012) ,120 African ethnic groups, none of which represent more than 10 per cent of the population. The Sukuma, the largest group, live in the north-western part of the country, south of Lake Victoria. They are fairly commercial oriented and have prospered with a mix of cotton farming and cattle herding.

The Hadzabe of northern Tanzania have built a society based on hunting and gathering food, while the Iraqw live in the central highlands of Mbulu and are known for their statuesque, immobile posture and sharply delineated features. They grow their own food and tend cattle.

The Masaai, who are perhaps the most well known of East Africa's ethnic groups, are pastoralists whose livelihood and culture is based on the rearing of cattle, which are used to determine social status and wealth. They dominate northern Tanzania but only occupy a fraction of their former grazing grounds in the north, much of which they now share with national parks and other protected areas. They are easily recognized by their single red or blue garments and their ochre covered bodies.

North of the Masaai steppe, on the slopes of Kilimanjaro, live the Chagga, who farm the mountain side. Through cooperative farming they have achieved a fair standard of living.

The Gogo live near Dodoma and have developed slowly due to lack of water. The formerly warlike Hehe live in Iringa District's highland grasses.

The Makonde are internationally famous for their intricate wood (ebony) carvings (sold over much of East Africa). They live along the coast on the Makonde plateau and their relative isolation has resulted in a high degree of ethnic self-awareness.

The Nyamwezi, whose name translates into "People of the Moon", were probably so called because of their location in the west. The Nyamwezi, now cultivators, were once great traders. The 19th century European explorers regarded them the most powerful group in the interior.

The Haya, located along the shores of Lake Victoria, to the north-west of the Nyamwezi, grew and traded coffee long before the arrival of the Europeans and today have established tea and coffee processing plants. Haya women produce excellent handicrafts.

In an area of forest and bush live the Ha who retain a deep belief in the mystical. They live in relative solitude with their long-horned cattle and wearing hides or fibres of bark. They are well known for their artistic expression, especially their dances and celebrations. the other ethnic groups are makonde,nyakyusa,kurya,jita,nyaturu,nyiramba,fipa,zaramo,rugulu,ngoni,hehe,zigua, just few to mention

Tanzanians will tell you that the reason for the relative harmony between the various ethnic groups is that virtually everyone speaks Swahili in addition to their native tongue.

Religion of Tanzania

Current statistics on religion in Tanzania are unavailable because religious surveys have been eliminated from government census reports since 1967. Religious leaders and sociologists estimate that Muslim and Christian communities are approximately equal in size, each accounting for 30 to 40 percent of the population, with the remainder consisting of practitioners of other world faiths, practitioners of indigenous religions.

On the mainland, Muslim communities are concentrated in coastal areas, with some large Muslim majorities also in inland urban areas especially and along the former caravan routes. The majority of the country's Muslim population is Sunni of Shafi school of jurisprudence; the remainder consists of several Shia subgroups (20%), mostly of Asian descent and the Ahmadiyya Islamic movement (15%).

The Christian population is largely composed of Roman Catholics and Protestants. Among the latter, the large number of Lutherans and Moravians point to the German past of the country while the number of Anglicans point to the British history of Tanganyika. All of them have had some influence in varying degrees from the Walokole movement (East African Revival), which has also been fertile ground for the spread of charismatic and Pentecostal groups.

Most indigenous beliefs profess the idea of a high god, similar to Christianity and Islam. Many Tanzanians will give their children a name from a grandparent or great grandparent in addition to a Christian or Islamic name. This name reflects a relationship with the ancestral spirit world. Furthermore, many Tanzanians seek the help of diviners and traditional healers for help in case of sickness and misfortune.

Music of Tanzania

The music of Tanzania stretches from traditional African music to the string-based taarab to a distinctive hip hop known as bongo flava. The music industry in Tanzania has seen many changes in the past ten years. With a mix of influences from other countries along with the original feel of local musical traditions, Tanzanian musicians have become some of the best artists in East Africa. From artists such as Dionys Mbilinyi, Sabinus Komba and many others, to new artists in R&B, pop, Zouk, Taarab and dance music.

Bongo flava

The Tanzanian artistes have devised a new style going by the name of "Bongo Flava", which is a blend of all sorts of melodies, beats, rhythms and sounds. The trend among the Tanzanian music consumers has started changing towards favouring products from their local artists who sing in Swahili, the national language.most prominent bongo flava artists are like Mr.Sugu, Professor Jay, Ay, Ally kiba, Diamond Platinum, Lady Jayde, Weusi, Grace Matata,Mad Ice.

Traditional music

Tanzania has a large number of traditional instruments, many of which are specific to particular ethnic groups. The Zaramo people, for instance, perform traditional dance melodies such as "Mitamba Yalagala Kumchuzi" on tuned goblet drums, tuned cylindrical drums, and tin rattles.

The multi-instrumentalist Hukwe Zawose, a member of the Gogo ethnic group, was the 20th century's most prominent exponent of Tanzanian traditional music. He specialized in the ilimba, a large lamellophone similar to the mbira.

Saida Karoli is a famous traditionalist Tanzanian female singer and performer, who sings in Haya. Karoli's music is described as natural with mellow vocals and hypnotically rhythmicism. Songs like Ndombolo Ya Solo or Maria Salome were huge hits in Tanzania and the countries around; she was nominated at the 2005 and 2006 Tanzania Music Awards in the Best Folk Album category and for the Best Female Vocalist category.

Taarab

Taarab is a popular genre descended from Islamic roots, using instruments from Africa (percussion), Europe (guitar), Arab Middle East (oud and qanun) and East Asia (taishokoto). It is sung poetry and are a constant part of wedding music, and is associated with coastal areas like Lamu and Zanzibar, as well as with neighboring Kenya.

Taarab is often said to have an Egyptian origin, due to the long-term popular of the Ikhwani Safaa Musical Club. While the Egyptian influence is undeniable, coastal East Africa is a cultural melting pot and has absorbed influences from across the Indian Ocean and even further abroad. The first taarab superstar, indeed the first Swahili superstar, was Siti bint Saad. Beginning in 1928, she and her band were the first from the region to make commercial recordings.

Over the next several decades, bands and musicians like Bi Kidude, Culture Musical Club and Al-Watan Musical Club kept taarab at the forefront of the Tanzanian scene, and made inroads across the world. Kidumbak ensembles grew popular, at least among the poor of Zanzibar,

featuring two small drums, bass, violins and dancers using claves and maracas. More recently, modern taarab bands like East African Melody,jahazi morden taarab,coast morden taarab have emerged, as has related backbiting songs for women called mipasho.

dansi

The first popular music craze in Tanzania was in the early 1930s, when Cuban Rumba was widespread. Young Tanzanians organized themselves into dance clubs like the Dar es Salaam Jazz Band, which was founded in 1932. Local bands at the time used brass and percussion instruments, later adding strings. Bands like Morogoro Jazz and Tabora Jazz were formed (despite the name, these bands did not play jazz). Competitions were commonplace, a legacy of native ngoma societies and colonial beni brass bands.

Independence came in 1961, however, and three years later the state patronage system was set up, and most of the previous bands fell apart. Musicians were paid regular fees, plus a percentage

of the gate income, and worked for some department of the government. The first such band was the Nuta Jazz Band, which worked for the National Union of Tanzania.

The 1970s saw the popularization a laid-back sound popularized by Orchestre Safari Sound and Orchestre Maquis Original. These groups adopted the motto "Kamanyola bila jasho" (dance Kamanyola without sweating). Maquis hailed from Lubumbashi in southeastern Zaire, moving to Dar es Salaam in the early 70s. This was a common move at the time, bringing elements of soukous from the Congo basin. Maquis introduced many new dances over the years, including one, zembwela, (from their 1985 hit "Karubandika", which was so popular that the term has become synonymous with dancing.

Popular bands in the 60s, 70s and 80s included Vijana Jazz, who were the first to add electronic instruments to dansi (in 1987) and DDC Mlimani Park Orchestra, led by Michael Enoch. Rivalries between the bands sometimes led to chaos in the scene, as when Hugo Kisima lured musicians from Mlimani Park and disbanded the wildly-popular Orchestra Safari Sound in 1985, forming the International Orchestra Safari Sound. International Orchestra Safari Sound was briefly popular, but the Orchestra Safari Sound was revitalized by Nguza Viking (formerly of maquis), who became bandleader in 1991; this new group lasted only a year.

The most recent permutation of Tanzanian dance music is mchiriku. Bands like Gari Kubwa, Tokyo Ngoma and Atomic Advantage are among the pioneers of this style, which uses four drums and a keyboard for a sparse sound. Loudness is very important to the style, which is usually blared from out-dated speakers; the resulting feedback is part of the music. The origin of the style is Zaramo wedding music.

Reggae and hip hop

After Tanzania gained its independence, the leaders of the country failed in their mission to produce a successful economy. Structural Adjustment Programs were put into place, which mimicked the same colonial practices that the country was trying to free itself from. Tanzanian youths turned to crime in order to survive. “It is not surprising that most Tanzanians viewed these conditions, especially the rise in crime, and the almost simultaneous rise or rap music, as a

single phenomenon. The political establishment and older generation did not accept rap music or uhuni music- since it becamse synonymous with disruption and anti-social behavior. Yet for the younger generation, traditional Swahili music did not address contradictions of the ‘liberalized’ Tanzanian economy.

In 1991, Tanzania hosted a hip hop competition called "Yo Rap Bonanza.” While most rappers were performing American songs word for word; Saleh Ajabry, a Tanzanian, wrote his own Swahili lyrics to a song based on Vanilla Ice’s “Ice Ice Baby,” and won the competition.

Dar es Salaam's Kwanza Unit was the first Tanzanian hip hop crew, but technical limitations hindered commercial success. Mr. II and Juma Nature are the most famous Tanzanian rappers; Mr II's (then known as 2-Proud) "Ni Mimi" (1995) was the first major hit for the field. Groups like X Plastaz have moved away from American-style hip hop and incorporated Maasai vocal styles and other Tanzanian Music. Tanzanian hip hop is often called as Bongo Flava.

Sports of Tanzania

Traditional athletics is the common oldest sports in most communities in Tanzania before the coming of foreigners. The coming of foreigners and colonialists in the country introduced new sports such as football, hockey, netball and boxing. Athletics was reintroduced with modern international standards. However football is the famous and loved sport by most people in the country followed by basketball, netball and athletics.

Athletes representing Tanganyika participate in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, and Tanzania made its debut at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. Since then, Tanzania has participated in every Olympics except for 1976. Tanzania’s Olympic medal winners are Filbert Bayi and Suleiman Nyambui – both from the 1980 Moscow Olympics. Tanzania also competes in the Commonwealth Games and the African Championships in Athletics.

 Prominent names in Tanzanian athletics have included Boay Akonay, Martin Sulle, Lwiza John, Faustin Baha, FabianoJoseph, Damian Paul Chopa and Francis Naali. Some of the well-known Olympic competitors from Tanzania are Restituta Joseph, Agapius Masong, Ikaji Salam, Juma Ikangaa, Zebedayo Bayo and John Nada Saya.

Immediately after independence, the new Government of Tanganyika declared its intention to revive, reinforce and develop all aspects of culture including sports. In 1962, the Government formed the Ministry of National Culture and Youths which was entrusted with the duty of promoting sports and establishing a system that would meet national aspirations.

In 1967, the Parliament enacted Act No.12 of 1967 which established the National Sports Council (Baraza La Michezo la Taifa (BMT) entrusted with spearheading and coordinating

sports in collaboration with national sports associations. To make sports universal, Sports for Special People (disabled) was promoted enabling them to participate in national and international competition. Games for people with physical disabilities include the deaf, mentally challenged and the blind. Moreover, women football is becoming very popular and Tanzania women footballers are already taking part in competitions in and outside Tanzania.

There are two famous football clubs based in Dar es salaam, that is Simba and Yanga, which have existed since the 1930s. These two teams have many fans and supporters.  

Football in Tanzania

Football is the most famous and number one loved sport by majority of men in Tanzania. Football, like other sports was introduced by colonialists. When they came to Tanzania, they found traditional sports like athletes and introduced new games, football being among them. Fortunately the game  won popularity than other sports.

Tanzania has a national football team managed by Tanzania Football Federation (TFF). To promote football the association introduced a national league in 1965, years later was known as First Division Soccer League.    

Simba FC Yanga FC

Tanzania National Football Stadium Tanzania national team (Taifa Stars)

Netball in Tanzania

Netball was one of the most popular sports in Tanzania. The sport was introduced during the colonial era. The sport was intended for leisure and first played in schools. To promote the sport, courts were built in almost all primary schools in the country.

In 1966 The Netball Association of Tanzania (CHANETA) was created to promote women's sport in Tanzania, leagues and competitions were introduced in an effort to raise netball's popularity in the country.

Basketball is a popular sport in schools and within the Tanzanian army. Hasheem Thabeet is Tanzania’s first NBA player and currently plays for Oklahoma City Thunder. At 2.21 metres tall, Thabeet is the tallest active NBA player

Other sports in Tanzania include boxing, cycling, athletics, rugby, scouting, fishing, golf, hockey, hunting, tennis, ,volleyball cricket, acrobatic and other traditional games like goat runs. Sport in Tanzania is evolving and is set to produce eminent sportsmen and women in the near future.

 The prominent traditional game in Tanzania is Bao, this game played by all people but mostly aged males.This game is very famous in coastal areas like Bagamoyo,Tanga and Zanzibar isles.This game is pyayed on flat body but specially in piece of wood with small pits where by players are sit on two sides of the body and playing by shifting gravel like materials on such pits.

This photo shows President Jakaya Kikwete and his wife Mama Salma playing Bao game on the left side while local residents playing Bao on the right side

The cuisine of Tanzania

Tnzanian cuisine is both unique and widely varied. Along the coastal regions (Dar es Salaam,

Tanga, Bagamoyo, Zanzibar, and Pemba), spicy foods are common, and there is also much use

of coconut milk. Regions in Tanzania's mainland also have their own unique foods. Some typical

mainland Tanzanian foods include rice (wali), ugali (maize porridge), chapati (a kind of bread),

nyama choma (grilled meat), mshikaki (marinated beef), fish, pilau, biryani, and ndizi-nyama

(plantains with meat). Commonly used vegetables include bamia (okra), mchicha (a kind of

spinach), njegere (green peas), maharage (beans), and kisamvu (cassava leaves).

Famous Snacks: maandazi (fried dough), isheti, kashata, kebab (kabaab), samosa (sambusa),

mkate wa kumimina (Zanzibar rice bread), vileja, vitumbua (rice patties), bagia, and many others.

Since a large proportion of Khoja Indians had migrated into Tanzania, a considerable proportion

of Tanzanian cuisine has been influenced by Indian cuisine. Famous chefs such as Mohsin

Asharia have revolutionized dishes such as kashata korma tabsi and voodo aloo. Many Khoja

Indians own restaurants in the heart of Dar es Salaam, and have been welcomed by indigenous

Tanzanians.

Beverages - Many people drink tea (chai) in Tanzania. Usually tea is drunk in the morning,

during breakfast with chapati and maandazi, and at times at night during supper. Coffee is

second, and is usually taken in the evening, when the sun is down, and people are on the front

porch, playing cards or bao. Many people drink coffee with kashata (a very sweet tasting snack

made from coconut meat or groundnuts).

There are also local beverages depending on the different tribes and regions.

Local Brews: for coastal regions, such as Tanga and Dar es Salaam, mnazi/tembo is widely

consumed. Other brews include wanzuki for central Tanzania inhabitants and mbege among the

Chagga of Kilimanjaro.

Banana ugali and fish

Arts

Painting

Tingatinga are popular Tanzanian paintings, painted with enamel paints on canvas. Usually the motifs are animals and flowers in colourful and repetitive design. The style was started by Mr. Edward Saidi Tingatinga born in South Tanzania. Later he moved to Dar es Salaam. Since his death in 1972, the Tingatinga style expanded both in Tanzania and worldwide. One of the most famous African artists were born in Tanzania, such as George Lilanga. Other recognized Tanzanian abstract artists are David Mzuguno, Haji Chilonga, Salum Kambi, Max Kamundi, Thobias Minzi, Robino Ntila, John Kilaka, Godfrey Semwaiko, Evarist Chikawe, and many others.

Cartoon

Tanzania's cartoons have a history that can be traced back to the work of pioneering artists, such as Christian Gregory with his Chakubanga cartoons in Uhuru newspaper in the 1970s and 1980s, and Philip Ndunguru in the early 1980s. Outspokenly political cartoons are of more recent date.

In the past decade, the art of cartoons and comics has really taken off in Tanzania. At present there are dozens of cartoonists, some of whom are well known throughout the country. From the 1960s so on, a number of artists prepared the way, and their names are cited by today's artists as essential influences, some of the known cartoonists in Tanzania are Ally Masoud 'kipanya', Sammi Mwamkinga, Nathan Mpangala 'Kijasti', King kinya, Adam Lutta, Fred Halla, James Gayo, Robert Mwampembwa, Francis Bonda, Popa Matumula, Noah Yongolo, Oscar Makoye, and Fadhili Mohamed

This photo is an example of a cartoon depicted in many newspapers and magazines in Tanzania

Sculpture

George Lilanga, who died in 2005, was one of Tanzania's most famous sculptures. People in Tanzania often sculpt images of people and animals, usually out of clay or a metal.

Makonde carving

Among major representatives of Tanzania figurative art are Makonde people, who are renowned throughout east Africa for their original and often highly fanciful wood carvings. Authentic Makonde carvings are made from ebony tree.

Performing Arts

Individual tribes are characterized in part by distinctive theatrical performances, dances, and music, for example, the Snake Dance performed by the Sukuma people. Some of these groups are sometimes invited to Dar es Salaam to  entertain foreign dignitaries, participate in  national celebrations and other activities. Occasionally, private or state funding is found to send them to foreign capitals to perform. Tanzanian musicians are beginning to make their mark in the music world. Theater, dance, and music skits on radio and television are also being used by churches, state agencies development organizations to relay public service messages about such topics as AIDS, Malaria, corruption, vaccination campaigns, and contraception.

Tanzanian traditional dances

Visual Arts are primarily presented as decorations on objects such as pottery, basketry, mats and carpets and other objects of daily use such as water pots, winnowing baskets, knives and other tools. In addition to their utility value these tools and objects are decorated to make them pleasing to the eye.

This art is becoming popular in Tanzania, it has created employment opportunities to a considerable number of Tanzanians especially young people who are engaging in arts. Tingatinga paintings have become famous worldwide from their artistic style  famously known as Tingatinga, given after the name of the founder of the style Edward Said Tingatinga who unfortunately passed away before he could enjoy his fruits. 

Tanzanian literature.

'Tanzanian literature is primarily oral Major oral literary forms include folktales, poems, riddles, proverbs, and songs. The majority of the oral literature in Tanzania that has been recorded is in Swahili, though each of the country's languages has its own oral tradition The country's oral literature is currently declining because of changes in family structure that make transmission of oral literature more difficult and because of the devaluation of oral literature that has accompanied Tanzania's development Tanzania's written literary tradition is still relatively undeveloped; Tanzania does not have a strong reading culture, and books are often expensive and hard to come by. Most Tanzanian literature is in Swahili or English. Major figures in Tanzanian written literature include Shaaban Robert, Muhammed Said Abdulla, Abdulrazak Gurnah, and Penina Mhando.

Kiswahili and English are the official languages. The terms Swahili and Kiswahili are used interchangeably, though the term Swahili normally refers to the people while Kiswahili refers to the language. Originating along the coast, Kiswahili is a Bantu language with many words derived from Arabic. Other African languages such as Bantu and those of Nilo-Hamitic and Khoisan origin are also spoken in more remote regions.

Swahili language

One of the most prominent Swahili writers in Tanzania was Shaaban Robert (1909-1962), a poet, novelist and essayist. His works include Maisha yangu (My Life) and the poem Utenzi wa Vita vya Uhuru (An Epic in the War for Freedom). Muhammed Said Abdulla (1918-1991) was a prominent novelist who particularly wrote detective stories. Other Swahili-language authors from Tanzania include Shafi Adam Shafi, Joseph Mbele,Ebrahim Hussein, Chachage Seith Chachage, Amandina Lihamba, Edwin Semzaba,Penina Muhando Mlama and Euphrase Kezilahabi

English language

Many Tanzanian authors write in English rather than in Swahili. The first Tanzanian novel to appear in English was Peter Palangyo's Dying in the Sun (1968). The following year, Gabriel Ruhumbika published Village in Uhuru. Other authors include Abdulrazak Gurnah, whose works have been shortlisted for both the Booker Prize and the Commonwealth Writers Prize. His best-known works include Paradise (1994) and Desertion (2005). Other English-language writers include short story writer Marti Mollel.

Cultural identity

Dressing style

The Tanzanian most popular dressing style Maasai dressing of Rubega (blue or red garmets) and the Swahili

khanga which worn by the most of Tanzanian women .

Swahili language

First of all you have to know that, is it “Swahili” or “Kiswahili”? It’s both! It’s “Swahili” if you say it in English and “Kiswahili” if you say it in Swahili

There are over 120 tribes on the mainland, most of which migrated from other parts of Africa over the millennia, whilst on the coast, the Swahili people originated from an eclectic mix of traders – Arabic, Persian and Chinese among others – who arrived from as early as the 8th century.

Swahili language, also called Swahili, or Kiswahili,  Bantu language spoken either as a mother tongue or as a fluent second language on the east coast of Africa in an area extending from Lamu Island, Kenya, in the north to the southern border of Tanzania in the south. (The Bantu languages form a subgroup of the Benue-Congo branch of the Niger-Congo language family.)

People who speak Swahili as their sole mother tongue are usually referred to as Waswahili, but this name refers to their language only and does not denote any particular ethnic or tribal unit.

Swahili is widely used as a lingua franca in: (1) Tanzania, where it is the language of administration and primary education; (2) Kenya, where it is, after English, the main language for these purposes; (3) Congo (Kinshasa), where a form of Swahili is one of the four languages of administration, the main language for this purpose being French; and (4) Uganda, where the main language is again English.

Swahili has been greatly influenced by Arabic; there are an enormous number of Arabic loanwords in the language, including the word swahili, from Arabic sawāḥilī (a plural adjectival form of an Arabic word meaning “of the coast”). The language dates from the contacts of Arabian traders with the inhabitants of the east coast of Africa over many centuries. Under Arab influence, Swahili originated as a lingua franca used by several closely related Bantu-speaking

tribal groups. In the early 19th century, the spread of Swahili inland received a great impetus from its being the language of the Arab ivory and slave caravans, which penetrated as far north as Uganda and as far west as Congo. Swahili was later adopted by European colonialists, especially the Germans, who used it extensively as the language of administration in

Tanganyika, thus laying the foundation for its adoption as a national language of independent Tanzania. In Kenya and Uganda, other local languages also received official encouragement during the colonial period, but the tendency in these countries is now to emphasize the use of Swahili. The oldest preserved Swahili literature, which dates from the early 18th century, is written in the Arabic script, though the language is now written in the Roman alphabet.

There are about 15 main Swahili dialects, as well as several pidgin forms in use. The three most important dialects are kiUnguja (or Kiunguja), spoken on Zanzibar and in the mainland areas of Tanzania; kiMvita (or Kimvita), spoken in Mombasa and other areas of Kenya; and kiAmu (or Kiamu), spoken on the island of Lamu and adjoining parts of the coast. Standard Swahili is based on the kiUnguja dialect.

Swahili is characteristically Bantu in its grammar, and it has a large vocabulary of word roots traceable to a common Bantu stock. Swahili nouns are divided into classes on the basis of their singular and plural prefixes; prefixes are also used to bring verbs, adjectives, and demonstrative and possessive forms into agreement with the subject of a sentence. Thus, in a sentence with wa-tu, “people” (singular m-tu, “person”), all the words begin with the w-/wa- prefix; e.g., wa-tu w-etu wa-le wa-kubwa wa-mekuja: “those big people of ours have come.” Verb stems may be extended by means of varying suffixes, each one with its particular nuance of meaning; e.g., funga (“shut”), fungwa (“be shut”), fungika (“become shut”), fungia (“shut for”), fungisha (“cause to shut”), and so on.

Also Swahili is the most widely spoken language of eastern Africa. It is one of the languages that feature in some world radio stations such as, the BBC, Radio Cairo (Egypt), the Voice of America (U.S.A.), Radio Deutschewelle (Germany), Radio MoscowInternational (Russia), Radio Japan International, Radio China International, RadioSudan, and Radio South Africa. The Swahili language is also making its presence in theart world - in songs, theatres, movies and television programs. For example, the lyrics forthe song titled “Liberian girl” by Michael Jackson have Swahili phrases: "Nakupendapia, nakutaka pia, mpenzi we!" (I love you, and I want you, my dear!). The wellcelebrated

Disney movie, "The Lion King" featured several Swahili words, for example

"simba" (lion), "rafiki" (friend), as the names of the characters. The Swahili phrase"hakuna matata" (No troubles or no problems) was also used in that movie. Also English language has borrowed some words of Swahili like Safari, Mama, Simba, Hakuna Matata etc

The monitoring and standardization of Kiswahili language is done by various institutions such as BAKITA, TUKI, UKUTA, TATAKI and TAKILUKI.

The photos above are the dressing styles of Tanzanian people

National anthem

The Tanzanian national anthem is Mungu Ibariki Africa (God Bless Africa), composed by South African composer Enoch Sontonga in 1897. The tune was ANC's official song and later became the National Anthem of South Africa.The song is also the national anthem Zambia. Swahili lyrics were set to this tune

Mount Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro the highest mountain in Africa found in Tanzania and is among the national identity of Tanzania.

National cultural identity

The Flag

Flag description:The Tanzanian flag has four colours: Green, Gold, Black and Blue: divided diagonally by a (golden) yellow-edged black band from the lower hoist-side

corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is blue.

Colours' Significance:

Black  = the People Green = the LandBlue    = the Adjoining SeaGold   = the Mineral Wealth

The Emblem

Emblem Description : The central feature of the Coat of Arms is the Warrior’s Shield which bears a Golden portion on the upper part followed underneath by the United Republic flag of Green, Golden, Black and Blue; and a Red portion under which are wavy bands of blue and white.

Colours Significance:The Golden portion represents minerals in the United Republic; the Red portion underneath the flag symbolises the fertile red soil of Africa; while the wavy bands represent the land, sea, lakes and coastal lines of the United Republic.The Shield is set upon a representation of Mount Kilimanjaro. On each side of the Shield there is an elephant tusk supported by a man on the left (as you look at the emblem) and a woman on the right symbolising both the theme of co-operation and gender and equality of the people of Tanzania. At the feet of the man is a clove bush and at the feet of the woman is a cotton bush symbolising agriculture in the Republic.Superimposed features on the Shield are flames of a burning torch which signifies freedom, enlightenment and knowledge; a spear signifying defence of freedom and crossed axe and hoe being tools that the people of the United Republic use in developing the country.The Uhuru Torch

The Uhuru Torch symbolizes freedom and light. It was first lit on top of mount Kilimanjaro (5,895m) in 1961, to symbolically shine throughout the country and across the borders to bring hope where there is despair, love where there is enmity and respect where there is hatred. Yearly there is the Uhuru Torch race, starting from different prominent places in the Republic.

The United Republic motto: "Uhuru na Umoja" = Freedom and Unity, is written in Kiswahili: the National Language of Tanzania.

Marriage  

In general, traditional marriage customs vary by ethnic group. Traditional customs call for marriages to be arranged by the parents of the bride and groom, although such arrangements are becoming less common, particularly in urban settings. In patrilineal ethnic groups (those in which descent is traced through males), traditional marriage customs often include the presentation of a dowry or bride price to the wife's family by the bridegroom. The dowry may include livestock, money, clothing, locally brewed beer, and other items. The amount of the dowry is determined through negotiations between the families of the engaged. Preparations for marriage may take months. For those wealthy enough to afford it, marriage may include a separate dowry ceremony and, several months later, a church/mosque wedding followed by traditional ceremonies and receptions. Although many ethnic groups and Muslims allow polygamy (having more than one wife), the practice is decreasing in popularity, in part because of the rising cost of maintaining several households and the fear of diseases.

HOW TO GET TANZANIAN VISA

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

Any foreigner seeking to enter the United Republic of Tanzania is subject to the following entry requirements:

a passport or Travel Document which is valid for not less than six months issued by a State or an International Organization recognized by the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania and

that, he is a holder of or his name is endorsed upon a Residence Permit or a Pass issued in accordance with the provisions of the Immigration Act No. 7 of 1995; or

 A valid Visa (for nationals whose country require visa) which is obtained at any Tanzania Mission abroad or on arrival at any designated entry points.

Upon complying with the entry requirements, a bonafide visitor is issued with a Visitor's Pass on arrival at the entry point into the United Republic of Tanzania for a validity not exceeding three months in first instance (and not exceeding six months for citizens of East African Community), provided that he is in possession of sufficient funds for subsistence while in the United Republic of Tanzania and a Return ticket or onward to ticket to his country of origin, domicile or destination as the case may be.

VISA INFORMATION

Purpose of Visa

A Visa is a permission granted to a foreigner other than a prohibited Immigrant to enter and remain in the United Republic of Tanzania for the purpose of visit, leisure, holiday, business, health treatment, studies, or any other activity which is not illegal under the Laws of the United Republic of Tanzania.

Note:

It should be noted that the possession of Visa is not a final authority to enter the United Republic of Tanzania. The Immigration Officer at the entry point may refuse such a person permission to enter if he is satisfied that he is unable to fulfill immigration entry requirements and that the presence of such person/visitor in the United Republic of Tanzania would be contrary to the national interests.

CATEGORIES OF VISAS

There are five categories of Visas which may be granted to foreigners other than prohibited immigrants who seek to enter the United Republic of Tanzania as follows:

Ordinary Visa Transit Visa Multiple Entry Visa Gratis Visa Referral Visa

ORDINARY VISA

This is a Visa granted to foreigners other than prohibited immigrants seeking to enter the United Republic of Tanzania upon application for the purpose of visit, leisure, holiday, business, health treatment, studies, or any other activity legally recognized by the Laws of the United Republic of Tanzania for validity not exceeding three months for a single entry only.

TRANSIT VISA

This is a Visa granted to foreigners other than prohibited immigrants intending to pass through the United Republic of Tanzania to other destinations for a period not exceeding fourteen days provided that such persons should have onward tickets, sufficient fund for subsistence while in the United Republic of Tanzania and an entry Visa to the country of destination (where applicable) or any other proof to satisfy that such person will be allowed entry to that other country.

MULTIPLE ENTRY VISAS

This is a Visa granted to persons who are nationals of countries which require Visa for United Republic of Tanzania and who by nature of their businesses or circumstances require making frequent visits to the United Republic of Tanzania. Multiple Visas may be issued for a period of three, six or twelve months to permit the holder to enter and re-enter subject to the validity of the visa, provided that a single stay of the holder should not exceed three months.

GRATIS VISA

This is a Visa granted to holders of Diplomatic or Official/Service Passports when travelling on official missions to the United Republic of Tanzania and it is granted free of charge. In some cases Gratis Visa may be granted to holders of Ordinary Passports where an exemption has been given by the Issuing Authority.

Note:

Holders of Diplomatic and Service/Official passports when travelling on private visits into the United Republic of Tanzania are required to apply for visa like holders of ordinary passport.

REFERRAL VISA

This is a Visa granted to nationals of Countries which require a special clearance and approval from the Principal Commissioner of Immigration Services or the Commissioner of Immigration Services (Zanzibar) prior to the issuance of Visa.

Note

Possession of a Visa for United Republic of Tanzania does not provide automatic right of entry for the holder into the Country. Accordingly, an Immigration Officer at the Entry Point may refuse any person regardless whether he holds a Visa or not, if he is satisfied that such a person is unable to fulfill the immigration requirements and/or that such person's/visitor's presence in the United Republic of Tanzania would be contrary to national interests.

REQUIREMENTS FOR VISA

An application of Visa for United Republic of Tanzania should be accompanied with:

application form duly filled in; security Bond duly filled in(for Multiple Visa); five passport size photographs (if required); copy of the Applicant's valid Passport; copy of the valid Passport or any other identity of the person to be visited (applicant's

host if required);  documents of the Company or Business to be visited; (for Multiple Visa) any other evidence to prove that the applicant is bound to travel frequently into the

United Republic of Tanzania(for Multiple Visa)

VISA ISSUING CENTRES:

A Visa may be obtained at any United Republic of Tanzania Missions abroad or Consulates and also on arrival at all designated Entry Points. In case of Referral and Multiple   Visas applicants are required to submit their applications to the office of the Principal Commissioner of Immigration Services Dar es Salaam or at the office of the Commissioner of Immigration Services Zanzibar.

VISA FEES:

Standard fee rate for Ordinary Visa is US $ 50, for Multiple Entry Visa is US $ 100 and for Transit visa is US $ 30. However a different fee may be set in accordance with the rules guiding Visa issuance or on the basis of reciprocity.

Note:

Visa fees are payable at Issuing Centers and an Exchequer Receipt should be provided for the payment made.

For more detail visit Website: www.immigration.go.tz