Culture of Tanzania
Language
Official language: Kiswahili and English.
Kiswahili is the first language.
Brief history of Kiswahili: Kiswahili is basically a Bantu language that originated along the coast. However during the interaction of Bantu and far east people in the name of trade in the early first century CE, Kiswahili had derived many words from the foreigners especially Arabs. As the result of advancing trade between Bantu and Arabs, also Persians and Indians the language continued to grow with the combination of foreign languages. However, only part of Kiswahili consist of foreign words the rest remain Bantu. Speakers of Kiswahili are known for their common name 'Swahili people'.
Social conventions
Upon meeting people hands are always shaken, to say hello 'Jambo' is a standard word for greetings. Traditionally, a practice of using the right hand, to shake hands, to give or receive anything is what is believed and considered to be kind and respectful. This is practiced everywhere in urban or rural localities.
Dress code; Casual wear, in Zanzibar since the population is mostly of Muslim influence it is required to dress respectably covering legs and bare arms in public, Muslim women wear 'hijab' and if Christian, most women wrap a type of clothing called 'khanga' to cover their bottom with any well covering tops. this exclude dress code on beach.
During Ramadhan; eating, smoking and drinking in daylight is totally unpleasant, however this does not include eating, smoking or drinking in tourists hotels or restaurants.
Religion
About 35-40% of the population is Muslim (most residence in Zanzibar), 40-45% of population is christian, in both mainland and islands, fewer traditional beliefs and Hindu.
Brief history of Tanzania
Pre-history
It is believed that the oldest hominids had first lived in Tanzania about 3.8 million years ago. In year 1931 archaeologist Dr Louis Leakey had discovered primitive stone tools in Olduvai Gorge in Northern Tanzania. These tools denoted the earlier and oldest human technology discovered in Africa.
In the following 1959 Dr Mary Leakey had discovered first hominid skull named Zinjanthropus in the same Olduvai Gorge and was estimated to be about 1.8 million years old. Since these discoveries there had been a series of continuous discovery of more evidence of earlier life in Tanzania. The oldest hominids footprints that were estimated to be about 3.6 million years old were discovered in 1978 by Dr Mary Leakey in Laetoli, on the same site she also discovered the oldest hominid remains estimated to be around 3.6-3.8 million years old named Australopithecus afarensis.
Tanzania is believed to have been populated by hunter-gather communities in past 10,000 years or so, Bantu speaking people had began to migrate from western Africa towards Tanzania and developed new political systems and iron-working skills.
After word war I (WWI), the land had become a British colony in 1919 and it is during this time name Tanganyika came into use after British renamed the colony The Tanganyika Territory in January 1920.
Tanzania is believed to have been populated by hunter-gather communities in past 10,000 years or so, Bantu speaking people had began to migrate from western Africa towards Tanzania and developed new political systems and iron-working skills.
Tanganyika
Explorers took interests of visiting Tanganyika in mid 1800s later to be colonized by German who faced resistance from locals who had established themselves to the land over 2000 years prior. Majimaji war was fought by the Nantudi of Ndambele led by Kinjekitile Ngwale from 1905-1907 after they revolted against the local administrators. Large number of Africans were killed and they had not succeeded to win their claim to resistance. German had dominated the region since around 1988 and imported new culture that dominated the culture of the indigenous.After word war I (WWI), the land had become a British colony in 1919 and it is during this time name Tanganyika came into use after British renamed the colony The Tanganyika Territory in January 1920.
Climate
TropicalSeasons
- Dry Seasons (June-October)
- Wet Seasons (November to May)
January and February: Little rain (almost non)
March-May: Heavy rains
Tanzania amalgamate with the rest of the world to celebrate , share love and pray in this special day of the year. usually there are spiritual services held a night before Christmas to literary welcome the expected Jesus to the world. in some churches a performance of a short stage drama about Jesus birth are hosted to add spice to the service.
9th December: Independence Day
Also referred to as 'Sikukuu ya Uhuru' in Swahili. Each year on 9th of December Tanzania remembers and celebrate the country's independence from Great Britain back in 1961.
14th October: Nyerere Day
The nation commemorates the death of the first president Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere who passed on the 14th of October 1999.
18th July: Eid al-Fitr
Tanzania joins all Muslims to celebrate this important religious holiday upon the end of sawm the Islamic holy month of fasting.
7th July: Dar es salaam International Trade Fair Day
Commonly called saba saba adopting it's name from the fact that it is conducted on the 7th day of the 7th month where saba is Swahili for seven. On this day the nation host trade affairs in an open stadium located at Kurasini Dar es salaam. Massive number of traders and business entities from different locations join to display their products in one place.
1st May: Labour Day
Tanzania host celebration each year for the common international workers day that is promoted by the International labor organization
Holidays^Festivals
Public Holidays
25th December: ChristmasTanzania amalgamate with the rest of the world to celebrate , share love and pray in this special day of the year. usually there are spiritual services held a night before Christmas to literary welcome the expected Jesus to the world. in some churches a performance of a short stage drama about Jesus birth are hosted to add spice to the service.
9th December: Independence Day
Also referred to as 'Sikukuu ya Uhuru' in Swahili. Each year on 9th of December Tanzania remembers and celebrate the country's independence from Great Britain back in 1961.
14th October: Nyerere Day
The nation commemorates the death of the first president Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere who passed on the 14th of October 1999.
18th July: Eid al-Fitr
Tanzania joins all Muslims to celebrate this important religious holiday upon the end of sawm the Islamic holy month of fasting.
7th July: Dar es salaam International Trade Fair Day
Commonly called saba saba adopting it's name from the fact that it is conducted on the 7th day of the 7th month where saba is Swahili for seven. On this day the nation host trade affairs in an open stadium located at Kurasini Dar es salaam. Massive number of traders and business entities from different locations join to display their products in one place.
1st May: Labour Day
Tanzania host celebration each year for the common international workers day that is promoted by the International labor organization
About May Day
26th April: Union Day (Muungano Day)
Tanzania commemorates this remarkable event when Tanganyika and Zanzibar united to become one nation and be known as the United Republic of Tanzania back in 1964.
26th April: Union Day (Muungano Day)
Tanzania commemorates this remarkable event when Tanganyika and Zanzibar united to become one nation and be known as the United Republic of Tanzania back in 1964.
