1961 : Tanganyika (now Tanzania) is admitted to the UN.
Image : Ngorongoro Crater
14th, december in the History of Africa
Mountain Kilimanjaro has been referred to by many names the most notably being the “Roof of Africa”. However ever since 1848 when Rebmann Johannes arrived Mount Kilimanjaro many have wondered what the name really means with different opinions and suggestions such as “Great Mountain” or “Shiny mountain”.
Kilimanjaro was formed as a result of volcanic eruption which resulted in the present day Mount Kilimanjaro found on the tribal lands of the Chagga People. Cattle rustling was a common activity of the Chagga people and they traveled to and fro the region looking for food – hunting and gathering. The Chagga referred to cattle rustling as Kyaro, however with the formidable mountain now standing in their way to Kenya it was now difficult to raid the people of the Kenya area. The word for barrier by the Chagga is Kilema hence the word ‘Kilema-kyaro’. When foreigners visiting the region asked the locals what the name of the mountain was they replied ‘Kilema-Kyaro’. It is believed that the foreigners could get their tongues round these words thus the term ‘Kilima-Ndscharo’ in German which resulted into the present day name Kilimanjaro.
Maasai People in Tanzania
The Maasai live in the semi-arid Rift Valley region of Kenya and Tanzania. They own large herds of cattle, sheep and goats which they follow around seasonally in search of new grazing grounds and water sources. Traditionally the Maasai have always been a proud and independent tribe. They did not cultivate the land and depend on a cash economy as many of those around them did, rather they lived off the blood, milk and meat that their cattle provided them. Cattle plays a central role in the life of the Maasai. Cattle represents food and power; the more cattle a Maasai has, the richer he is and therefore the more power and influence he will have within his tribe.
Traditionally the Maasai have always looked down upon those who tilled the land since this rendered it useless for grazing. While the Maasai lifestyle has undergone some changes in the past three decades in particular, their strong social traditions remain intact. Maasai men are first and foremost warriors. They protect their tribe, their cattle and their grazing lands.
The Maasai women are responsible for all domestic tasks which include making their homes. Houses are made from mud, sticks, grass, cow dung and urine. The women also milk the cows, collect water (a heavy and arduous task), cook and look after the children. The Maasai women are as impressive as the men in their looks. Tall, slender and bedecked with large beaded necklaces and long braided hair.
While part of the attraction of visiting national parks in Kenya and Tanzania is viewing the wildlife as well as the indigenous people, it is the wildlife parks that present the biggest problem to the Maasai. The largest tracts of land that have been taken and protected for the wildlife has been taken from the Maasai’s traditional grazing lands. The Maasai feel that their society has been given less thought and respect than that of wild animals.
The capital of Tanzania is not Zanzibar or even Dar-es-Salam but DODOMA. It is right in the middle of the country. Dodoma means “it has sunk” in the Gogolanguage. Tanzania’s National Assembly moved there in February 1996, but many government offices remain in the previous national capital, Dar es Salaam, which remains the commercial capital.
Tanzania_People
Nationality: Tanzanian(s); Zanzibari(s).
Population: 41.8 million and 1.3 million in Zanzibar
Religions:
- Muslim 35.0%
- Christian 63.0%
- other (traditional, Sikh, Hindu, Baha’i) 2.0%.
Language:
- Official : Kiswahili and English
- National : Kiswahili.
Education: Attendance—73.2% mainland (primary), 71.4% Zanzibar. Literacy—females 67.0% mainland, 76.8% Zanzibar; males 79.9% mainland, 86.0% Zanzibar.
Health: Infant mortality rate—68/1,000. Life expectancy—52.4 years (2010 est.).
Work force:
- Agriculture 80.0%
- Industry, commerce, government 20.0%
The Tanzanian flag is green with blue triangles separated by a black diagonal band with golden edges. The green on the flag represents the vegetation of the country and the golden color stands for the rich mineral deposits found in Tanzania. The black color symbolizes the native Swahili people while the blue on the flag symbolizes the lakes, rivers and the Indian Ocean. The national flag of Tanzania was adopted in 1964.
Tanzania is bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south.
