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)
Governments 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 (19851995) 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 Ices 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. Tanzanias 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, Fabiano
Joseph, 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

Tanzania National Football Stadium

Yanga FC

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
Tanzanias 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
fish

ugali and

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 bestknown 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? Its both! Its 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 sawh il (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 watu, people (singular m-tu, person), all the words begin with the w-/wa- prefix; e.g., wa-tu wetu 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 Moscow
International (Russia), Radio Japan International, Radio China International, Radio
Sudan, and Radio South Africa. The Swahili language is also making its presence in the
art world - in songs, theatres, movies and television programs. For example, the lyrics for
the song titled Liberian girl by Michael Jackson have Swahili phrases: "Nakupenda
pia, 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 Land
Blue = the Adjoining Sea
Gold = the Mineral Wealth

The Emblem
Emblem Description :
The central feature of the Coat of Arms is the Warriors 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