TOURISM AND CULTURE

 

                                           KARIBU TANZANIA

 

        Karibu means welcome in Swahili. And there is no better place to enjoy an enriching cultural and wildlife experience than Tanzania.

The magical names trip of the tongue – Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro Crater, Olduvai Gorge, Selous, the Serengeti and exotic Zanzibar. In the year 2009 Oludvai Gorge celebrated the Golden Anniversary of the discovery, 50 years ago, of Zinjanthropus boisei or “nutcracker man”.

     Tanzania’s new and enlarged national parks mean it is now the only country in the world to protect more than 25% of its land so game viewing experiences are widely regarded as the best in Africa. It is the place to see seemingly endless herds of wildebeest and zebra trekking across the plains on their annual migration – followed by the predatory lions, leopard, cheetah and hyena. It is elephant country, boasting some of the largest populations in the world. While at Gombe and Mahale Mountains National Parks, it is home to groups of chimpanzees now so rarely seen in the wild.

 

 

      Both the Tanzania mainland and, of course, Zanzibar boast beautiful beaches – hundreds of miles of palm-fringed sands overlooking the Indian Ocean. Its cities are relaxed and friendly.

Its huge lakes, Victoria, Tanganyika and Nyasa, are bountiful with fish. Its mountains are

massive and mysterious and include Mount Meru, Ol Doinyo Lengai and the Usambaras in addition, of course, to Mount Kilimanjaro – the ‘Roof of Africa’ and the tallest freestanding mountain in the world.

Yet this, the largest country in East Africa, is untouched by the holidaymaking hordes of mass tourism. It was in Tanzania that Stanley uttered those famous words – “Dr Livingstone I presume” – when he tracked down the Scottish missionary and explorer after a long trek into the interior. Indeed Tanzania was a magnet for several Victorian explorers who made epic journeys of discovery in search of the source of the Nile. Today’s visitors are able to explore the largest country in East Africa, and see its remarkable seven UNESCO World Heritage sites, with none of the hardship but all of the

adventure of those early pioneers.

                                                                          The Northern Circuit

 

     The best developed of Tanzania’s tourism routes is known as the Northern Circuit. Here there’s the chance to see the ‘big five’ - elephant, leopard, lion, rhino and buffalo - and huge herds of wildebeest and zebra on their annual migration 

The circuit includes many of the country’s most famous national parks, such as Arusha, Lake Manyara, Tarangire and the Serengeti as well as famous landmarks such as the Ngorongoro Crater, the Olduvai Gorge and Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro.

ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK

     Just 32 km away from the town of Arusha is the Arusha National Park which was described by Sir Julian Huxley as “a gem amongst parks.” It consists of three spectacular features, the Momela Lakes, Mount Meru and the Ngurdoto Crater. On clear days magnificent views of Mount Kilimanjaro can be seen from almost any part of the park. The vegetation and wildlife varies with the topography, which ranges from forest to swamp. The park is famous for its 575 species of birdlife, both migrant and resident, and black and white colobus monkey - the only place they may be seen on the Northern Circuit.

    Elephant are rare, and lion absent altogether, but other animals frequently seen in the park are baboon, buffalo, giraffe, hippo, hyena, warthog, zebra and a wide range of antelope species including dik dik and waterbuck.

Leopard are ever-present but, as always, difficult to find. An area of adjoining land is to be incorporated into the park increasing its size to 500 sq km. Recently added tourist attractions include canoe safaris on the Momela lakes and walking safari around the rim of the Ngurudoto Crater.

Getting there: A short drive from

Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport.

KILIMANJARO NATIONAL PARK

      At 5,895m, Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest free-standing mountain in the world, so it can truly be regarded as the roof of Africa. “As wide as all the world, great, high and unbelievably white,” was Ernest Hemingway’s description. Now a World Heritage site, its outstanding features are its three major volcanic centres, Shira in the west, Mawenzi in the East and the snowcapped Kibo in the centre.

The forests of the surrounding national park are inhabited by elusive elephant, leopard, buffalo, bushbuck, the endangered Abbott’s duiker, and numerous other small antelope, primates and rodents. They are however difficult to see due to the dense vegetation.

 

Getting there: A two hour drive

from Arusha or one hour from

Kilimanjaro International Airport.

LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK

      This park is famous for its tree climbing lions, which spend most of the day spread out along the branches of Acacia trees six to seven metres above the ground.

Nestling at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment the park is noted for its incredible beauty. As visitors enter the gate they pass into the lush forest, home to troops of baboons and both blue and vervet monkeys. Further along, the forest opens up into woodlands, grassland, swamps and beyond, the soda lake itself, covering 200 sq km and sanctuary to over 400 species of bird including flamingo, pelican, storks, sacred ibis, cormorants and Egyptian geese.

The park is particularly noted for its huge herds of buffalo and elephant. Also giraffe, hippo, reedbuck, warthog, wildebeest, zebra and a great variety of smaller animals.

Getting there: A half hour flight

from Arusha or a two hour drive en

route to the nearby Ngorongoro

Crater, the Olduvai Gorge and the

Serengeti.

MKOMAZI NATIONAL PARK

Tanzania’s newest national park, this former game reserve contains 90% of all botanic species found in Tanzania with one third classified as unique in the world. It is also home to the Mkomazi Rhino Project. This involves the re-introduction of a number of black rhino from South Africa which, it is hoped, will breed before being relocated to traditional natural habitats within Tanzania.

The Captive Breeding Programme for the African wild dog is another project for the preservation of endangered species that is based in Mkomazi.

Getting there: By road from

Arusha, Moshi or Tanga.

NGORONGORO CRATER

     The Ngorongoro Crater, at 2,286 m. above sea level, is the largest unbroken caldera in the world. Surrounded by very steep walls rising 610 metres from the crater floor, this natural amphitheatre measures 19.2 km in diameter and 304 sq km in area. It is home to up to 30,000 animals, almost half being wildebeest and zebra. Buffalo, elephant, hippo, hyena, jackal, lion, ostrich, serval, warthog, bushbuck, eland, hartebeest, reedbuck, waterbuck and huge herds of both Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelle are easily seen on the crater floor.

Thanks to anti-poaching patrols, the crater is now one of the few places in East Africa where visitors can be certain of seeing black rhino, with the number now approaching 25. Leopard may occasionally be seen in the trees of the forest surrounding the crater while cheetah are also present but rarely seen.

Large herds of giraffe live on the rim of the crater and will be seen on the drive to Olduvai Gorge and the Serengeti. Countless flamingo form a pink blanket over the soda lakes while more than 100 species of birds not found in the Serengeti have been spotted. The crater, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, lies within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which covers more than 8,300 sq km. It is bounded by Lake Eysai in the southwest and the Gol Mountains in the north. Roughly in the centre is the Olbalal Swamp and the arid Olduvai Gorge.

Getting there: A three hour drive,

or one hour flight, from Arusha. A

two hour drive from Manyara or

Tarangire.

OLDUVAI GORGE

       Located within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a short drive off the main road between Ngorongoro and the Serengeti, the name Olduvai derives from Oldupai, which is the Masai word for the type of wild sisal that grows in the gorge.

It was here that, in 1959, Dr Louis Leakey and his wife Mary discovered the skull of first Zinjanthropus Boisei, or “nutcracker man”, and then, a year later, the remains of Homo Hablis or “handy man” regarded as mankind’s first step on the ladder of human evolution.

But many more fossils have been discovered here fossils have been discovered here elephants, giant horned sheep and  enormous ostriches. There is a small museum and an observation platform, overlooking the gorge, where visitors can listen to an informative talk from the resident guide.

Getting there: A four hour drive,

or one hour flight, from Arusha. A

two hour drive from Lake Manyara

or Tarangire National Park.

SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

       The Serengeti National Park is arguably the best known wildlife sanctuary in the world. “Serengeti” means “endless plains” in the Masai language, and within its boundaries are more than three million large mammals. About 35 species of plains animals may be seen here including the so-called “big seven” - buffalo, elephant, lion, leopard, rhino, cheetah and African hunting dog.

Unfortunately very few of the latter remain in the Serengeti. Originally exterminated as a threat to domestic stock they have more recently become victims of distemper. However, after being decimated by poaching, the black rhino population of the Serengeti has developed well in recent years thanks to constant surveillance and the shielding of the animals from mass tourism.

There are now 13 black rhinos in the Moru Kopjes area but they may be difficult to see as visitors are only allowed to drive through the area on certain roads. White rhinoceros are not found In the Serengeti. In May or early June, huge herds of wildebeest and zebra begin their spectacular 600 mile pilgrimage. In their wake follow the predators - lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena and jackal - while vultures circle overhead and some of Africa’s biggest crocodile lie in wait. Other animals frequently seen in the Serengeti include baboons, caracal, civet, bat-eared fox, genet, giraffe, hippo, honey badger, hyrax, mongoose, ostrich, serval,

both Grant’s and Thomson’s gazelle, vervet monkeys and some 20 types of antelope including eland, hartebeest or kongoni, impala, kudu, reedbuck, roan, topi, waterbuck and the much smaller dik dik, duiker, klipspringer and oribi. There is, of course, also a profusion of birdlife. Over 500 species including bustards, cranes, eagles, herons, owls, storks, vultures and the bizarre, long-legged secretary birds.

 

Getting there: A six hour drive,

or one hour flight, from Arusha.

TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK

    Close to Arusha, 118 km away, Tarangire National Park gets its name from the river that threads its way through the length of the reserve. It is famous for its dense wildlife population which is most spectacular between June and September, the dry period. During this time thousands of animals - elephant, buffalo, giraffe, eland, hartebeest, kudu, wildebeest and the rarely seen oryx - migrate from the dry Masai steppe to the Tarangire River looking for water.

Lion, leopard and other predators follow the herds. Tarangire has the largest population of elephant of any park in the northern circuit and is also home to 550 varieties of bird.

Getting there: A one and a half

hour drive, or 30 minute flight,

from Arusha.

 

 

 

                 TOURIST MAP OF TANZANIA

 

                   

The Southern Circuit

 

      Less frequented than the national parks in the north, the southern parks provide a sense of African adventure unsurpassed anywhere on the continent. The principal areas are the Selous Game Reserve and the Mikumi, Ruaha and Udzungwa Mountains National Parks.

MIKUMI NATIONAL PARK

     Located north of the Selous Reserve, less than 300 km. from Dar es Salaam, is the Mikumi National Park. Because of its accessibility it is one of the most popular parks in Tanzania and is an important centre for education where students go to study ecology and conservation. The Mikumi flood plain, with its open grasslands, dominates the park together with the mountain ranges that border the park on two sides. A wide range of wildlife inhabits its 3,230 sq km area.

 Lion is commonly seen as are packs of wild dog, rare elsewhere in Africa. Elephant may be encountered and other animals frequently observed are buffalo, civet, eland, giraffe, impala, kudu, reedbuck, warthog, waterbuck, wildebeest, zebra and Lichtenstein’s hartebeest. Near the southern boundary of the park it is possible to see groups of female and young bachelor sable with their one dominant male.

Crocodiles, monitor lizard and python are among the park’s many other residents. At the southern end of the flood plain, in the Kikoboga area, families of yellow baboon live while wallowing hippos are frequently joined in their pools by flocks of open-billed storks, hunting for molluscs. Over 400 species of birds have been observed in the park, many of which are Eurasian migrants who stay between October and April.

 

 

Getting there: A four hour drive,

or a one hour flight, from Dar es

Salaam.

 

 

 

 

RUAHA NATIONAL PARK

     Recently expanded to become the largest national park in East Africa and, after Kafue National Park in Zambia, the second largest wildlife protection area in Africa, Ruaha is Tanzania’s biggest elephant sanctuary. Its name derives from the Great Ruaha River which flows along its eastern border, creating spectacular gorges. Flowing into the Rufiji River, the Great Ruaha is home to hippo and crocodile. Various antelope species, such as eland, grant’s gazelle, impala, greater and lesser kudu, reedbuck, waterbuck and the rare sable and roan antelope thrive in the grasslands bordering the river along side buffalo, giraffe and zebra.

 Predators include lion, leopard, cheetah, both striped and spotted hyena, and wild dog – or African hunting dog as they should correctly be called. Birdlife is prolific, over 370 species have been recorded, some of which are not found in northern Tanzania. Eurasian migrants flock to Ruaha twice a year - March to April

and October to November - joining the resident kingfishers, hornbills, sunbirds, egrets and plovers. Best months for game viewing are during the dry season from July to November, when the animals are concentrated around the shrinking water-courses. The park has an airstrip for light aircraft on the western bank of the river.

 

Getting there: Up to a ten hour

drive, or a one and a half hour

flight, from Dar es Salaam.

SELOUS GAME RESERVE

     The Selous Game Reserve is the largest protected wildlife area in Africa. A UNESCO World Heritage

site, this pristine, uninhabited area is larger than Switzerland. Only in the Serengeti will visitors see a greater concentration of wildlife. Yet Selous boasts Tanzania’s largest population of elephant as well as large numbers of lion, leopard, African hunting dog, buffalo and hippo.
Once home to over 3,000 black rhino there are sadly now only a few hundred left. They tend to hide in the dense thickets but sightings are possible. Species commonly seen are bushbuck, red and blue duikers, eland, hartebeest, hyena, klipspringer, impala, giraffe, oryx, reedbuck, waterbuck and zebra.
Yellow baboon and vervet and blue monkey are always a common sight while families of black and white colobus may sometimes be seen moving from tree to tree. Endangered red colobus inhabit only the west of the reserve but visits to observe this rare breed can be arranged. The bird-life in the Selous is prolific and the 400 species recorded include the globally threatened wattled crane and the corncrake. The topography of the park varies from rolling savannah woodland, grassland plains and rocky outcrops cut by the Rufiji River and its tributaries, the Kilombero and Luwegu, which together cover the greatest catchment area in East Africa.
The Rufiji, which flows from north to south, provides the lifeblood of the Selous and sailing or rafting down the river is a superb method of seeing game, especially during the dry season between June and October. Crocodiles, hippo and an array of grazing antelope can be seen. Linked to the Rufiji is Lake Tagalala, where elephant, giraffe, waterbuck, reedbuck and bushbuck gather at the water’s edge. In the long grassland, safari enthusiasts may even get a chance to see rare sable antelope, greater kudu - or lion. The park gets its name from the hunter-explorer Frederick Courtney Selous, whose books were best sellers in Victorian England.
Walking safaris, game drives and boat trips are organised. The best time to visit is during the dry season, when game is forced from hiding places to the river to drink. The waters of the Kilombero
Game Controlled Area are home to the ferocious tiger fish and vandu catfish, the latter equipped with a primitive set of lungs which allows it to migrate from one landlocked pool to another.

Getting there: Between a seven

and nine hour drive, but only in the

dry season, or a one and a half

hour flight from Dar es Salaam.

UDZUNGWA MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK

      Udzungwa Mountains National Parkis a conservation area of about2,000 sq km.

It lies in the Iringa and Morogoro regions of south-central Tanzania where it is bordered by the Great Ruaha River to the north and by the road between Mikumu and Ifakara to the east. The major attraction of the park is its bio-diversity and unique rainforest where many rare plants, not found anywhere else in the world, have been identified. These range from a tiny African violet to 30 metre high trees.

The park is home to eleven types of primate. Five of these are unique to Udzungwa, including the endangered Iringa red colobus monkey and the Sanje crested mangabey. The plateau also supports populations of elephant, buffalo, lion and leopard. Visitors should not expect to necessarily see these larger species however as they tend to be found in the less accessible area of the park.

Bush baby, or galago as they are sometimes called, bush pig, civet, duiker, honey badger and three types of mongoose are more likely to be seen. The park which is about 65 km, or a two hour drive, south west of Mikumi National Park, is also home to a number of rare forest birds many of which are only found in this area of Tanzania.

 

Getting there: A five hour drive

from Dar es Salaam.By;Richard Sheim

                            ( +255653109706 or +255689699212)

 asiliasilia. . . "Be Proud Of Yourself"

 

 

 

 

 

JE WAYAJUA MAKUMBUSHO YA DR. DAVID

LIVINGSTONE YALIYOPO UJIJI- KIGOMA?

 

    Mji wa ujiji iliopo katika mkoa wa Kigoma upande wa Magharibi mwa Tanzani ni eneo mbalo lina umhimu mkubwa kutokana na historia lukiki ikiwepo ya wapelelezi akina Henry Morton Stanley na Dr. David livingstone waliokutana chini ya muembe Novemba, 10,1871 na sehemu ya eneo hilo kwa sasa yamejengwa makumbusho yenye vivutio vya kipekee zikiwemo tamaduni za kabila la waha wa mkoa wa Kigoma.

   Mji wa Ujiji ni moja ya miji  ya kale sana nchini Tanzania ambayo ilikuwa ni moja ya vituo vya kibiashara kwa wakoloni(biashara ya watumwa na shanga) na ni eneo ambalo wapelelezi akina Richard Burton na John Speke walikuwa wa kwanza kufika katika pwani ya Ziwa Tanganyika na kuanika ubaya wa biashara ya utumwa na pembe za ndovu na kufanikiwa kukomeshwa kwa biashara ya utumwa mwaka 1873 .

      Unapofika katika mji wa Ujiji utastajambishwa kuona miti ya miembe ya kale iliyopandwa kwa ustadi mkubwa na kufanya kuwa na mvuto usiochosha kwa mgenini yeyote na eneo hilo la miti ya miembe lina kinvuli kizuri sana nyakati za mchana

 

     Pia unapokuwa katika eneo la Ujiji ustashuhudia majengo ya kale sana ( enzi za kikoloni) na baadhi ya majengo hayo ya zamani ni shule ya msingi Karuta ambapo zamani ilikuwa ikifahamika kama seminari ya Ujiji ambayo ilijengwa na wakoloni wa Kijerumani.

 

 

                          

    Unapoingia ndani ya makumbusho hayo ya Dr. David livingstone utapata simulizi za kusisimua za kabila la waha wa mkoa wa kigoma na tamaduni zao zikiwemo ngoma za jadi,zana za shughuri za uvuvi katika ziwa Tanganyika na maisha yao mengine ya kila siku pamoja na historia za wapelelezi akina Henry Morton Stanley , Dr. David livingstone na Tip tip.

    Wenyeji wa mji wa Ujiji wanasifika sana kwa usafi,si jambo rahisi sana kumkuta mwenyeji wa mji huo akiwa mchafu na katika makumbusho hayo utakuta kumbukumbu za viatu vya miti vilivyokuwa vikitumiwa na waha.

    Pembezoni mwa jengo la makubusho hayo kuna ufukwe mzuri sana wa Forodhani ambapo kwa mgeni yeyote utaweza kufurahia madhari nzuri sana ya ziwa Tanganyika na shughuri za uvuvi zinazoendelea katika ziwa hilo.                                                       

 

 

    Na unapofika kigoma bila kula samaki aina ya migebuka bado hujafika kigoma,pia utakutana na simulizi za samaki wa ajabu ambao wanatajwa kuwa na nguvu ya umeme akiwemo samaki anayefahamika kwa jina la Nyika.

     Ikumbukwe kuwa maji ya ziwa Tanganyika ni maangavu sana na kuna wakati hukufanya ushawishike kusogea zaidi ingawa ni hatarikutokaa na ziwa hili kuwa na kina kirefu sana.

     Pia mbali na makumbusho hayo kuna hifadhi nzuri ya Gombe ambapo utaweza kuwaona Sokwe,meli ya Mv Liemba ambayo inatajwa kuwa meli ya zamani sana ya Kijerumani na inazaidi ya miaka 100 na usisahau kufika mwisho wa Reli(Kigoma Railway station).

                           

    Je unapenda kucheza Ngoma za asili? Ukifika Kigoma mjini ulizia ngoma ya Wabembe ni maarufu sana na ambayo huchezwa kwa ustadi mkubwa sana na madoido ya aina yake.

 

Na Richard Sheim kwa msaada wa Ng'oko Innocent

 

 

HISTORIA YA WANYAKYUSA.

 

      Wanyakyusa (pia huitwa Wangonde au Wasochile) ni kabila la watu wanaoishi kwenye wilaya ya Rungwe katika sehemu za kusini za Mkoa wa Mbeya (Tanzania) na wilaya ya Kyela.
      Lugha yao, inayoendelea kutumika sana, ni Kinyakyusa.
Mara nyingi Wagonde upande wa kusini wa mto Songwe nchini Malawi huhesabiwa pamoja nao katika kundi lilelile. Mwaka 1993 watu zaidi ya milioni walikuwa wanajumlishwa kwa jina hili, takriban 750,000 upande wa Tanzania na 300,000 upande wa Malawi.

      Kihistoria watu wanaoitwa leo Wanyakyusa waliitwa Wakonde, ambao kati yao Wanyakyusa walikuwa ndio kabila kubwa. Wakati wa karne ya 20 "Wanyakyusa" limekuwa jina la kundi kwa jumla. Hadi leo kanisa la Kilutheri la KKKT linatumia jina "dayosisi ya Konde" kwa eneo lake katika mkoa wa Mbeya.
Wakati Wajerumani walipofika sehemu za kaskazini kwa Ziwa Nyasa mwisho wa karne ya 19 hawakuona tofauti ya kimsingi kati ya watu wa Malawi kaskazini na wale wa sehemu za Rungwe wakawaita wote "Wakonde" kutokana na jina lililokuwa kawaida ziwani.

       Historia inasema kwamba asili ya Wanyakyusa ni mkoani Morogoro. Kabila hilo likitokana na kabila la Waluguru. Hili hasa ndilo chimbuko la Wanyakyusa. Inasemekana kwamba mwindaji mmoja wa Kiluguru alitembea peke yake porini bila ya kuongozana na mtu mwingine. Alitembea hadi akafika maeneo ya Kabale huko Suma, Tukuyu wilayani Rungwe. Akiwa huko, akaendelea na kazi yake ya uwindaji. Baadaye akatokea Mzulu mmoja kutoka Afrika Kusini aliyekuwa na binti yake. Akafika maeneo alikokuwa akiishi yule mwindaji Mluguru, naye akapiga kambi hapo Kabale, wakaungana katika maisha ya uwindaji.

       Ikawa kila yule Mluguru akitoka asubuhi kwenda kuwinda, alikuwa akifanikiwa kurejea nyumbani na wanyama wakati rafiki yake wa Kizulu alikuwa akirudi mikono mitupu. Kutokana na hali hiyo, Mluguru akageuka kuwa mfadhili wa Mzulu, kwa kutoa misaada mara kwa mara, na kwa kulipa fadhila hizo, akamwoza bintiye kwa Mluguru. Akamwoa na maisha yakaendelea huku nyumbani kwa mwindaji wa Kiluguru na mkewe binti wa Kizulu, kukiwa hakukosekani nyama kama kitoweo.

        Kwa sababu ili kuihifadhi nyama ilibidi kwanza ibanikwe, basi kitendo hicho kilisababisha harufu nzuri ya kitoweo kile kusambaa eneo kubwa na kufika hadi ukweni kwake nyumbani kwa Mzulu.
Ndipo Mzulu yule akawa anasema mara kwa mara: “Pale panatoa kyusi kila siku” akimaanisha moshi kwa lafudhi ya lugha ya kwao.
Mazoea ya kutamka ‘kyusi’ kila siku, yakaligeuza neno ‘kyusi’ na sasa likawa linatamkwa ‘kyusa’, baadaye ‘kyusa’ ilipozidi kutamkwa kwa mara nyingi, nayo pia ikabadilika bila kukusudia ndipo watu walipokuwa wakimwita Mluguru ‘Mnyakyusa’, kwa kuwa moshi ukiambatana na harufu ulikuwa ukitokea ndani ya nyumba yake na kusambaa.

       Kwa hiyo, tangu hapo na kutokana na jina hilo alilopewa kwa ajili ya mazoea ya kukosea kutamka kitu, hata watoto wake pia waliozaliwa na Mluguru na mkewe Mzulu, wakawa wakiitwa ‘Wanyakyusa’. Hiyo ndiyo asili na chimbuko la kabila la Wanyakyusa, na kwa kuwa Mnyakyusa alikuwa tayari ana asili ya pande mbili - wakati baba akiwa na asili ya Kiluguru na mama Mzulu wa ‘kwa Madiba

       Na hata uchifu ukaanzia mahali pale palipokuwa panaitwa Kabale, na yule Mluguru aliupata uchifu kwa kuwa yeye ndiye aliyekuwa mwanzilishi na mkazi wa kwanza wa eneo lile na ndiye aliyekuwa anafahamika zaidi.

Mavazi yao
      Kwa upande wa mavazi, Wanyakyusa walikuwa wakivaa mavazi yaliyokuwa yakijulikana kama ‘Lyabi’, Ni mavazi ya kwanza kwa kabila yakivaliwa enzi za utumwa. Mavazi haya ni yale yanayofunika maeneo ya siri pekee, na kwa wale ‘waheshimiwa’, kidogo basi wao walivaa vazi lililokuwa likiitwa ‘kikwembe’ au ‘kilundo’. Mavazi haya yaliyovaliwa kwa mtindo kama lubega, ndiyo yaliyomtambulisha na kumtofautisha mhusika mbele ya jamii.

Ngoma yao

 

       Ngoma iliyokuwa ikichezwa na Wanyakyusa enzi hizo, ilikuwa ni ya kuchezea mikuki na mara nyingi ngoma hiyo ilikuwa ikichezwa wakati wa msiba. Lakini ngoma za kawaida zilizokuwa zikichezwa pasipo kutumia mikuki na wakati wa sherehe na shughuli nyingine, ni ‘Ipenenga’. Hii mara nyingi ilikuwa ikichezwa na watu ‘wastahiki’ tena kwa madaha na maringo ya hali ya juu. Hata machifu walikuwa wakiicheza sana ngoma hii.

 

Chakula chao
       Chakula chao kikuu na ambacho Mnyakyusa angeonekana kuwa amemkarimu mgeni, si kingine bali ni dizi zinazomenywa na kupikwa maarufu kama ‘mbalaga’. Mnyakyusa halisi kama atakula chakula lakini akakosa ‘mbalaga’ hujiona kama bado hajakamilisha mlo, ingawaje siku hizi kuna mabadiliko fulani ambayo wengi hupendelea ugali na wali; lakini bado asili ya chakula chao hawawezi kuibadilisha kamwe.
Na ni lazima chakula kama ‘kande’ kipikwe kwenye tukio la msiba uwao wote, kama shughuli za msiba zitakwisha pasipo kupikwa chakula hicho chenye mchanganyiko wa mahindi na maharage; msiba huwa haujakamilika hata kama wafiwa ni watu wenye kujiweza kifedha zaidi lakini ni lazima kande zitapikwa japo kiasi.



 

Sifa za Wanyakyusa wa Kyela

1. Wacha Mungu 
2. Wengi si Wapole mtu afanyapo kosa 
3. Wanajua kupenda
4. Hawapendi dharau
5. Wanapenda kujulikana (hasa kama wamesoma hadi kupata digrii n.k.)
6. Wapiganaji sana kimaisha
7. Wana wivu katika masuala ya mapenzi
8. Wanapenda haki itendeke, hawapendi ubabaishaji
9. Ni watu shupavu sana kwenye kazi za kujitolea hasa za kijamii

Sifa za Wanyakyusa wa Tukuyu

1. Wacha Mungu 
2. Wapole 
3. Wanajua kupenda
4. Hawapendi dharau kabisa
5. Wanajituma kwenye kazi, hasa kilimo
6. Wana wivu sana
7. Wanapenda haki itendeke na hawapendi ubabaishaji
8. Ni watu jasiri na wasioogopa vitisho
9. Ni Waelevu

Jo une ne Nkamu gwenu 
Ne gwa masiku gosa.... 
Ne nnya Mwakipesile 
Ne mwisukulu gwa Jubheki 
Ne gwa Mwibhungu, Nndupembe. 
Ne mololo Ne Nsita lemo 
Ne ntine Ne Mogela mesi
Ne mwana gwa Bhalema 
Ne Nndema nine

Mwee Ndaga bha nkamu

 

Na, Richard Sheim ,kwa msaada wa Gwakisa George 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WASANII NA WATU MAARUFU WANAVYOWEZA TUMIKA KUTANGAZA UTALII NA UTAMADUNI WA AFRIKA

 

 

 

          Kumekuwa na kusuasua katika sekta za utarii na utamaduni katika miongoni mwa nchi nyingi za Afrika huku lawama nyingi zikielekezwa kwa serikali. Hata hivyo ni halali kuzilaumu serikali kwani zina jukumu la kufanya kila linalowezekana kuhakikisha zina tangaza utalii na utamaduni wa nchi husika .Kwa namna moja ama nyingine tunaweza sema hapo ndipo serikali zinajikongoja kwani ,

 

zimeshindwa kutumia fulsa mbalimbali zilizomo ndani na nje ya nchi husika.

         Fulsa za kuutangaza utalii wa ndani ya nchi za Afrika ni nyingi endapo tu tutaruhusu vichwa vyetu kufikiria.

 

           Leo napendakuainisha fulsa moja wapo ,ambayo ni kuwatumia wasanii wetu na watu maarufu ndani ya nchi zetu. wasanii na watu maarufu ni watu ambao mara nyingi huwa karibu na vyombo vya habari vya ndani na nje na hivyo basi tukiwatumia kama mabalozi ni dhahiri utalii wetu utakuwa kwani watu wengi wataweza fikishiwa taarifa za kuwepo na vivutio mahali Fulani.

         

 

 

        Sehemu  muhimu ambazo serikali za Afrika zinaweza watumia wasanii ni kwa kuwaomba wavae mavazi yanayoakisi utalii na tamaduni za nchi zao, pia kuwapa masharti ya kuonyesha baadhi ya vivutio vya kitarii na kitamaduni katika maonyesho na matamasha mbalimbali,kuwasihi watumie lugha zao mama ili tu kujiainishahali wanakotokea na hivyo pia kutoa nafasi kwa lugha zao kukua kimataifa na vilevile waonyeshe vitu vya kitalii na kitamaduni katika video zao pia .

kwa kufanya haya machache tu angalau ujumbe utafika kwa walengwa na utarii utakuwa na hivyo faida haitakuwa kwa serikali tu bali pia hata kwa jamii za nchi husika kwani itakuwa ni njia ya kupata ajira

 

 

 

 

 

By:Richard Sheim(0689699212)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PICTURE OF THE DAY

 

A man, his wives & children of the omo tribe enjoying a talk  

 

 

LOWASSA  ,AMSIMIKA LAIGWENANI MPYA.

                                 

Kiongozi wa wamasai Afrika  Mashariki aliyekuwa waziri mkuu wa Tanzania na mgombea wa kiti cha urais  ndg,Edward Ngoyai Lowassa ,hivi karibuni aliwaongoza watu wa kabila la wamasai katika shughuri ya kijadi ya kumsimika ulaigwenani  Alhadji Mapukori Mberekeli .    

    

         Kwa kawaida Laigwenani ni moja ya vyeo vya juu vya kabila la wamasai.Sherehe hizo za kijadi zilifanyika Nunja Monduli. 

SIKU YA AKINA MAMA DUNIANI 

Leo katika kuadhimisha siku ya kina mama  duniani ,katika ukurasa huu tunamwangalia mwana mama wa kimasai . Akina mama wa kabila la kimasai ndio mhimili haswa katika kutekeleza majukumu mbalimbali 

 

  

         Majukumu wanayotekeleza ni mengi ikiwa ni pamoja na kulea watoto ,kukamua ng'ombe maziwa, kupika , kulima (kwa baadhi walio wakulima na kadhalika.)

 

                  Akina  mama wa kimasai wakiwa na mtoto

 Mwana mama akisaga mahindi kwa kutumia jiwe.Kazi hii huhitaji nguvu na umakini mkubwa sana.

Wakina mama  wakimskiliza mwenzao aliyekuwa akiwafundisha jambo


                                      
                    Mama akiwa amembeba mtoto mgongoni

        Kwa ujumla akina mama hufanya kazi nyingi sana katika jamii ,tizama picha hii hapa chini

 

 

MBEGE, a traditional drink made from banana

If you reach Tanzania especially in the northern east parts ,around Mt. Kilimanjaro there is a common traditional drink known as MBEGE .It is made by taking ripped banana mixing it with other natural materials plus water. The drink is healthier since it is free from chemicals . Some other people from Chagga tribe say that MBEGE can be made using maize also.

                                                             Mbege ready for drinking


                                    
  A Tanzanian celebrity LULU MICHAEL ,enjoying a traditional drink

       

  


        HOW THE WORLD IGNORE NATURAL  FOODS
                    Most of the food stuffs we consume are out of nature,meaning that they are not naturally grown .Different chemicals are used in the process of cultivation and processing ,the aim is to make the particular food stuffs mature early and easily before their maturity period ,or to get a bigger size than normal.This make them loose taste and natural nutrition compare to the food stuffs which are naturally grown.Healthy wise natural foods are the most important since they contain proper nutrition needed by the body,. . . Stop using chemically processed food,use naturally grown foods.
Here are some of the photos showing how  foods are chemically produced    

WONDERFUL CULTURAL HOUSES 

There are many beautiful traditional houses found in the interior of Africa, most of these traditional houses are of many design basing on the , nature and material available at a particular place .In recent years most of the newly built tradition houses are modified  in a way they resemble modern houses in towns.

                              A traditional house built of pieces of dry wood, mud and dry glass

           In some areas in the interior houses are built by mixing modern materials and tradition material ,this helps to make a house more attractive and more strong.

                       
        a traditional house with a mixture of traditional materials and modern materials




                 WE ARE PLAYING FOOTBALL
     The world contain some societies which are still holding their traditions culture . These societies seems not to change with the changing technology of world. Maasai tribe of east Africa is one of the tribes ( societies)that portray the truth.It is really shown in their living stile ,the food they eat ,the language they  speak,and the cloths they put on, On my way while passing through their society I was surprised to see them playing football in the bush,not only that but what surprised me  more are the clothing they wore while playing .I expected to see them in sports gear ,but they were putting on their traditional clothing.Really maasai don't preserve their culture

               Some maasai men enjoying playing football with their traditional cloths in Longido Tanzania





  CREATIVITY  AND INNOVATION ,ARE SOURCES OF MARKET
        In any business  creativity and innovation plays a greater important as the souces of market .It involves changing  the shape, size,form,stile and taste of the products .You can't sell more if you don't march  to peoples' demand. It is impressing to see people designing cultural products into different designs that satisfy the need of the people and thus increase market.

                     Acultural product designed in a motorcycle design
       Designing cultural products does not involve changing of the material, designers use the same material and only change the shape ,size,etc

UNGO HUTUMIWA  KAMA NYENZO YA USAFIRI KIUTAMADUNI  KWA JAMII ZA WAAFRIKA

Leo nikurudishe  katika tamaduni zetu waafrika, huenda ushawahi kusikia hadithi za watu kusafiri kwa njia za  ajabu. Huu ni ukweli na si fununu ,katika jamii nyingi za waafrika hasa zile zilizojikita katika imani na tamaduni za zamani (ambazo wengine huziita za kishirikina ) kusafiri kwa ungo ni jambo la kawaida kabisa.Kifaa hicho ambacho hutumiwa na kina mama katika shughuli za jikoni huweza pia kutumika katika kusafiri kwa wale wanaojua mila na desturi zikiwamo taratibu za kufuata kufanikisha safari.

                                    Picha ikimuonesha kijana akisafiri juu ya ungo

KIPAJI MURUA 

Katika baadhi ya vitu ambavyo kila kukicha huna budi kumshukuru muumba ni kipaji (vipaji) alichokujaalia.Kuna makusudi ya yeye kukuumba na kipaji hicho na ndio maana s wote wenye vipaji hivyo .Kitumie vyema kipaji chako na katu usikidharau kwani huenda kikawa muhimili wa maisha yako

OOOOOH..!!!! AFRIKA 

It's a prestige to speak of Africa ,especially when you speak of the natural things found in Africa . Looking at the variety of food type in Africa I can just conclude that Africa is blessed .African food is  prepared in a way that make it to be more delicious , and make taste more natural  

                          a white cooking African food .Common known as "UGALI"

an African food on fire being prepared

HADZA  (HADZABE)TRIBE IN TANZANIA

In the world there are different tribes with different pecurior characteristic ,this characteristics differ from one tribe to another due to cultural and environmental differences. To we are looking on HADZABE a tribe that still depend on hunting and gathering for its survival.

                                                        A Hadza child hunting

Tradition  house of Hadza tribe

The video showing full story of  HADZABE tribe

                                        

For more pecurior tribe keep on visiting our blog

By;Richard Sheim

   

 

 

MAJANI YANAYOTAMBAA  KATIKA KUTA YANAVYOTUMIKA KUPAMBA NYUMBA

   
        Wakati  jamii za kiafrika zikitumia aina ya majani kama hayo katika kuta za nyumba hali imekuwa tofauti kwa jamii moja nchini China. Katika jamii hiyo yenye udongo wenye rutuba majani hayo hujiotea na hivyo kutambaa katika miti na kuta za nyumba, hali inayozifanya zipendeze na kuwa kama kapeti lililotandikwa kwenye kuta.

 

Nyumba hizo huonekana kwa muonekano wa kijani kibichi , na hivyo kufanya eneo lote kuwa na muonekano wa kijani

                                            

                           By,Richard Sheim

              "OKUJEPISA OMUKAZENDU " (Kumkarimu mgeni kwa kumpa mkeo)

         Ni desturi kwa makabila mengi ya Afrika kuwa na utamaduni unaowiana wa kuwakaribisha wageni .Mgeni hupewa kinywaji, chakula na ikibidi malazi.Mgeni akiwa wa kiume basi kama analala hulala na wanaume wenzake au peke yake ,na vivyo hivyo kwa mgeni wa kike.Lakini katika makabila ya OVAHIMBA na OVAZEMBE hali ni tofauti hasa pale mgeni anapokuwa wa jinsia ya kiume.Makabila haya ya nchini Namibia yanautamaduni tofauti kabisa na makabila mengine Afrika .Mgeni wa kiume anapofika hukarimiwa kwa kupewa mke wa mwenye nyumba afanye naye mapenzi ,kama ishara ya uungwana wa mwanamume kwa rafikiye.

          Hata hivyo mwanamke hana mamlaka ya kukataa zaidi ya kutimiza wajibu tu. Zawadi hiyo ya pekee humfanya mgeni asiusahau ukarimu huo pale atakapoondoka hivyo kubaki kama kumbukumbu kwake  .Kitendo hicho hujulikana kama. " Okujepisa Omukazendu "(Kumkarimu mgeni kwa kumpa mkeo)
      Wanaharakati nchini humo bado wapo kwenye mvutano mkubwa na jamii,kwani kitendo hicho huwezesha kusambaa kwa magonjwa kama Ukimwi .Hata hivyo wanajamii wanapinga wakisema kuwa hawashirikiani na makabila mengine yenye magonjwa hayo. (Ukistaajabu ya Musa . . . Utayaona ya Filauni)
  

THE HIMBA DANCE IN OMUHONGA DESERT..

                       By: Richard Sheim



 

                           DID YOU KNOW?
 THERE ARE PEOPLE EAGERLY LOOKING FOR FATNESS!!

     Among the different tribes in the Omo valley in Ethiopia is the Bodi tribe. The Bodis give a special emphasis to their body ( by the way the similarity between the name of the tribe and the english word "body" is purely coincidential.)

For a male member of the tribe obesity is absolutely adhered; it is the attribute that matters the most when it comes to attracting the woman that he desires. But obesity is not enough: he has to be fatter than other competitiors so as to be respected and to get any girl whom he wants.In our present world we refer a handsome guy must be cute and what so ever but in Bodi society it is contrary to that in most of them!!
Usually abig ceremony is held on in June of every year where obese men, purely naked display their achievement of gaining excessive weight to the community. Preparation for this special event takes nearly the whole year for the one who aspires to be in top. The man who has reached adulthood and is ready to get married will spent several months in a forest, away from all sorts of distraction. During this period he will be assisted by a close friend or family. Throughout this time he will not be subjected to any form of activity, even a quick stroll which could potentially lead him to lose the smallest grams from his hard earned weight. All he does is eat and eat none stop. In order to ensure that he reaches the maximum weight drinking oxen blood is a requirement.

This process does not guarrantee that the he will go out from the forests alive. Instances where the prospectives die of ill health or whose tummies explode because of over eating ( literaly) is not rare.

For those who have surpassed these threats and made it to the bodi festival due in the second week of June, the men who have amassed the maximum weight will go out naked for public display. Some will need support to walk as it will be difficult for them to walk or breath because of the unnaturally gained weight. The event is quite unique and one of its kind. Successful men with self inflicted obesity will wind up by getting the woman of their dream.

By:Fabian

 

                     THE NYAMWEZI PEOPLE

The Nyamwezi, or Wanyamwezi, are one of the Bantu groups of Southeast Africa and the second-largest of over 120 ethnic groups in Tanzania. The Nyamezi people's ancestral homeland is in parts of Tabora Region, Singida Region, Shinyanga Region and Katavi Region. The term Nyamwezi is of Swahili origin, and translates as "people of the moon" in one hand but also means "people of the west",the latter being more meaningful to the context.

Historically, there have been five tribal groups, all referring to themselves as Wanyamwezi to outsiders: Kimbu, Konongo, Nyamwezi, Sukuma, and Sumbwa, who were never united. All groups normally merged have broadly similar cultures, although it is an oversimplification to view them as a single group.The Nyamwezi have close cultural ties with the Sukuma people. Their homeland is called Unyamwezi, and they speak the language Kinyamwezi, although many also speak Swahili or English.

It was only in the 19th century that the name could be found in literature; the term might include almost anyone from the western plateau. Travel taught them that others called them Nyamwezi, and almost all men accepted the name given to them by the coastal people indicating that the Nyamwezi came from the west. A century later, their land is still called "Greater Unyamwezi", about 35,000 square miles (91,000 km2) of rolling land at an elevation of about 4,000 feet (1,200 m).

Source:Encyclopedia..


Here is a Nyamwezi tradition dance ,"Mganga wa kikutu"