Tanzania: The Land & People

“THE SOUL OF AFRICA”Tanzania: THE Place to go on a Safari!

TANZANIA

Tanzania is famous for its outstanding natural beauty, attracting over 1.1 million visitors per year (2014) to experience its famous national parks, Mount Kilimanjaro and the island of Zanzibar. Tanzania is situated on the east coast of Africa and has a population of approximately 52 million people.

Tanzania’s legal system is based on English Common Law and the country has a well-established and progressive Mining Act (2010). This has encouraged business and allowed Tanzania to become Africa’s fourth largest gold producer and destination for significant offshore natural gas exploration with reserves in excess of 47 trillion cubic feet.

Huge helium reserves just discovered in Rukwa region of Rift Valley

PEOPLE

125 ethnic groups, majority of Tanzanians are Bantu. Over 100 languages. Swahili and English the most common.

Some Asians, Arabs and Europeans

5.4 children per woman

Christian and Muslims—about equal. 40% of population

Football is king of sports, also rugby, volleyball and boxing

WILDLIFE

38% of land for conservation: Serengeti Plain!

16 Parks: Ngorongoro Crater! Arusha National Park

SONJO TRIBE OF TANZANIA

Only found in Tanzania. Live 35 miles west of Lake Narton in Arusha region of Tanzania—a briny, caustic alkaline lake

Massai gave them that name. Sonja call themselves Batemi or Temi

Speak Sonjo, a Bantu language they call Kitemi

Known for irrigation systems in farming, with terraced sites

They maintain a warrior class consisting of young men who have gone through the rites of passage. In the past the Sonjo people have been known for their conflict with the Maasai, though at present there appears to be peace.

SONJO TRIBE OF TANZANIA

The Sonjo call themselves Temi. The Sonjo are a traditional people who live in the midst of a Maasai region in the northwest corner of Tanzania. Like the Maasai, the Sonjo continue to hold on to traditional beliefs, customs, and lifestyle. They still build their round one-room houses of sticks with thatch roofs. The people continue to wear "shukas," colored cloth worn in a toga style, much like the Maasai.

Arusha region: Ngorongoro district, north central near Kenya border, Maasai area. 7 villages: Sale, Mdito, Samunga, Digodigo, Kisangiro, Mugholo, Oldonyo Sambu.

SONJO TRIBE OF TANZANIA

Although Christianity had reached into the villages of the Sonjo, the overall response has been very slow and in some cases hostile.

Their traditional religion is strong, and its adherents have focused efforts to frighten young Christians back into traditional beliefs.

Nonetheless, their culture does have a door through which Christianity may enter: they believe that their god once lived among them and has promised to return.

Lake Narton: The Dead Sea of Africa!

Another water buffalo starved to death!

This is what happens when you ingest too much helium!

Gina invites a friend over to enjoy a

quick snack.