There are two main traditional cultural groups in northern
Tanzania. The Chagga people live on the
slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro and the surrounding hills. They seem to dominate the East and South
areas around Kilimanjaro. The Maasai
people live mostly to the North and West of Kilimanjaro. Historically I think that they lived separate
from each other but today there are areas in which these groups interact.
My experience with these groups is limited to the 5 weeks
that I have spent with them – mostly with the Chagga. Many people have gone out of their way to
show me kindness and a warm welcome. I
especially enjoy seeing the large numbers of children who love to say ‘hello’
to the muzungu or white person. However,
I am mostly still a mystery to them since their perception of the United States
is mostly formed by the media and by various aid organizations. Although I am a modest farmer in the United
States with an income below the federal poverty line, I am considered quite
wealthy by Tanzanian standards. My
family size also does not fit the perception of an American family. In the same way, their culture is largely
still a mystery to me. Although I am
present with them, I do not have anyone to explain what I am seeing. There are many habits and customs that I do
not understand.
The Chagga have lived around Kilimanjaro for centuries in a
tribal system. Hundreds of separate
tribes traded and fought with each other.
With a favorable climate and source of water, they grew crops such as
banana, maize, beans, yams, and coffee.
In the 19th century, the Germans took control of the area and
eventually set up a system of colonial rule.
After World War I, the area was given to the British and they ruled
until Tanzanian independence in 1961.
German missionaries introduced Christianity to the area through the
Lutheran and Catholic Church. I drove
past a German Catholic church that was built out of stone around 1890. I also read that the parish was founded by an
Irish Catholic so I’m not sure which is accurate. I have asked several people about their
history and they do not seem to study it or to know it. I also spoke with an elderly German woman who
told me about how her Lutheran grandparents were the first to write down the
Chagga language.
Although I do not know much about the history of
Christianity in the area, the Chagga tribe embraced it wholeheartedly. I am in an area with Catholic parishes and
schools every mile. An elderly priest
told me that over 90% of the people are Catholic and there are not other
churches around. The larger towns and
cities are more diverse. There are
different areas in which the Lutherans are established. In the Catholic parishes and schools, I have
yet to see a white priest or student or parishioner. Religious vocations are also plentiful and
schools are run by nuns and brothers.
One priest told me that one of the religious orders in the Dioceses has
1000 sisters. Most of the priests and
religious that I have met are younger than I.
Several online descriptions of the Chagga people, assert
that Christianity and the European influence has led to the prosperity of these
people. I suppose that is up for debate
but certainly the Church emphasized education and hard work. The Chagga were also traditionally known for
their work ethic and many of them have been able to prosper. The population of the Chagga is close to 1
million and continues to grow rapidly. They have spread to all parts of
Tanzania.
The Maasai people were traditionally pastoralists who cared
for herds of cattle and goats. They did
not grow crops but wandered throughout the plains surrounding Mount
Kilimanjaro. Their diet came from their
livestock and they survived on milk, meat, and blood. They travelled great distances with their
large herds in order to find enough grass.
The Maasai are famous for their piercings and for their ear
stretching. They were taller than other
tribes and dominated the region.
Traditionally the wealthy Maasai took several wives and had many
children. I met a man with 3 wives and I
have heard stories of Maasai with up to 10 wives.
Although the cultures have many similarities, I think that
there are also conflicts.
I have asked
several Chagga men about the Maasai and they do not think very highly of
several Maasai habits.
First, the Maasai
men have a reputation for not working hard.
Some of this probably comes from that fact that many of them can no
longer care for their animals in the traditional way.
Grazing land has been reduced due to population
growth, sporadic rainfall, and preserved land for national parks.
Many Maasai now live in towns but they often
do not pursue education or regular employment.
The Chagga men also have been critical of the Maasai practice of having
many children.
They think that the
Maasai do not adequately care for their children and that they should make a
greater effort to educate them.
One man
told me that in his village, families only had as many children as they could
educate and that men were expected to have a job and a house before getting
married.
