We believe the cultural diversity of Tanzania is one of its greatest strengths. By meeting and understanding people whose views and values are very different from your own, you acquire new insights and perspectives that change your attitudes towards them, towards yourself, and the entire world. This new depth of perception and wisdom opens new horizons, opportunities, and flexibility in your future life choices. You may travel to Africa to learn more about her wildlife, but through her people, you will learn more about yourself. This may well be the most valuable and lasting aspect of your safari with the tribal people of Tanzania.
Over 120 tribes, few still authentic
There are more than 120 different ethnic groups in Tanzania that have migrated over many centuries’ pastoralist Nilotic from Sudan, nomadic, cattle-herding Cushite from Ethiopia, hunter-gatherer Khoisan from the Kalahari, agriculturalist metal-working Bantu from West Africa, and Arabian, Indian and Anglo immigrants. All these groups displaced, conquered or assimilated each other over thousands of years to form the present Tanzanian population. Each of these groups had differentiated traditional religions, social practices, rituals, customs, art, music, and dance.
Rise of Swahili culture
The tribal communities of Tanzania wished to preserve and protect its identity and to pass on to its children the values that have preserved it throughout generations. However, with greater interactions, most tribes have been adopting practices of each other hence moving towards a now popular Swahili culture.
This is how it happens, young children are taken to schools outside their communities where they meet other children from elsewhere hence they interact with each other in Swahili and adopt a more common culture, examples over 20 years ago everyone could speak his/her native language meaning all 120 different tribesmen could speak their native language but over the years’ millennials only speak Kiswahili and the English, this is same to other practices and customs
However, few tribes are still authentic to their ways which have made them popular in and out of the country, For Example the Masai & bushmen tribes are known all over the world in fact they are more popular than many countries in Africa. With globalization, development activities, and increased interactions we can’t say for how long these tribesmen will stay loyal to their practices these practices are dated ages back so if you are having a chance to visit them there is quite a few you could learn
Tanzania’s popular & authentic tribesmen
Maasai Tribe
Maasai Tribe is one of the most Popular Tribes in Tanzania and in Africa because of its extraordinary culture. They are set apart visually by their bright red robes. Despite their interactions with the outside world, they have somehow managed to keep their traditions and customs intact. The tribe still practices their age-old customs.
This tribe is also famous due to living close to many premier National Parks in East Africa where they have had some minor clashes with predators who sometimes hunt down their cattle but with clashes only restricted to predators who have preyed on their livestock, we can say they have a peaceful coexistence with these wild animals if we consider what people elsewhere have done.
Those who fight lions that have preyed on their livestock are considered warriors in their communities given the risks involved with many Masai men getting injured and few deaths. However, with animals going extinct an intervention by the government made it illegal for Masai men to attack lions.
Note: To Masai, cows are the single most important possession of their lives and come before everything else. According to them if a man is owning a good number of cattle and children then he is respected and considered wealthy.
On the Northern Safari Circuit of Tanzania, the Maasai can mostly be seen near the Ngorongoro region of Tanzania, where Over 40,000 of them live.
Tip: best to visit as a detour or stop on your northern circuit safari
History
If you look back to the history of the Maasai Tribe, they originated from the Lake Turkana region, of Northern Kenya.
During the 15th Century BC, these tribal people started migrating toward the southern part of Tanzania near the borders of Kenya. So, currently, they can be found in Southern Kenya and Northern Tanzania.
Culture
Making, and maintaining the traditional rules and regulations of the whole tribe is handled by the elders who are in charge of making sure that the rules and regulations are followed by their people. The Maasai culture is predominantly patriarchal, their belief is monotheistic. Their deity is called Engai who has dual nature.
Maasai Songs are composed of love for their leader, god, and nature. The music for these songs is taken from the harmonies and sorrow. Their music is so melodious that you will just be lost in it while on Tanzania Safari.
