Experience Tanzania Culture
There are over 120 distinct ethnic groups in Tanzania and each of the groups has its own unique culture and history. Focus is often placed on safari and wildlife, however, Tanzania’s rich cultural history will definitely add another great dimension to your trip. You will get the chance to encounter the constantly evolving tapestry on Evidence Eco-tours for tour and trips to different traditional settlements, meeting with storytellers and tribal elders and also unscripted encounters in villages and camp. Take a look at some of the unique and famous cultures in Tanzania that you will encounter in our tours.
Chagga
For several centuries, the Chagga have lived on and around the slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro where they have banana farms and coffee in several villages that are spread throughout the foothills. The Chagga were organized into multiple clans and each of the clans are led by its own chief. The chiefs would occasionally form alliances which also includes small kingdoms that connect different clans together. The Chagga are known in Tanzania for their shrewd intelligence and they value education. In fact, many of the country’s leading politicians and businesspeople come from the Chagga tribe. No wonder many guides and porters on the mountain are from Chagga descent since Mt Kilimanjaro happens to be their home.
Northern Tanzania Cultural Tours
There are different tribes and cultures in northern Tanzania to provide you an excellent opportunity for tourists. You will definitely enjoy their ways of life, rituals, and rites. There are several cultural tours that go hand in hand with adventure safaris. For our clients visiting the northern parts of Tanzania such as Hadzabe, Usambara, Waarusha and Maasai, you can take a tour of these communities, interact with the locals and even participate in their daily activities. Listen to the distinct drumbeats of cultures and allow the tribal dancers of northern Tanzania to interpret the music and performances that the tribes inherited from their ancestors.
Hadza
Most famous tribes living in Tanzania have presently moved into the modern era such as the Maasai tribe. They are blending a deep understanding and respect for their heritage into modern life. The Hadza are a tribe that has ancient traditions and they happen to be the last hunter-gatherer tribes that are still in existence. Presently, there are about 1000 members of this group remaining and they all live in Tanzania. About 300-400 of them live almost like their ancestors have lived for thousands of years, foraging for fruit, roots, and honey, hunting prey with their bows and arrows and living in the most rudimentary shelters (living under the open sky when it’s dry season). Although several attempts have been made to settle the Hadza tribe, but they always return to their traditional way of life once the donations of food dry up.
Maasai
The members of the Maasai tribe which is a warrior tribe are a familiar sight on the plains of Northern Tanzania. They are often seen wearing the brightly colored shuka which they are known for that actually inspire fashion designers. Semi-nomadic pastoralists, traditionally, the Maasai tribe have been cattle herders and their status and wealth in their community were once connected to the number of cattle they owned.
Olpopongi Maasai Cultural Village & Museum
Take a wonderful tour of the Olpopongi Maasai Cultural Village and Museum and enjoy the overnight facilities in Tanzania. The village provides you with a unique Maasai and wildlife experience in the West-Kilimanjaro Maasai-land which is about 74 km from Moshi and 85 km from Arusha. Our goal is for you to share the authentic Maasai life and culture in a traditionally built village (Boma) with a unique museum. Because of our commitment to Eco-Tourism Tours, we respect the Maasai tribe and at the same time work towards the proper enlightenment and education of our clients on this trip.
Olpopongi Maasai Village was actually planned and built by a multi-cultural construction team which is dominated by over 50 Maasai men and women from the nearby Tinga-Tinga Maasai village. The houses are built in their traditional way with locally sourced materials that are similar to the ones of the nearby Maasai tribe. The only additions to the houses include the exterior washrooms and the kitchen which are different from the Maasai culture. They were built for the hygiene and safety of clients. Some of the things you will enjoy in Olpopongi Maasai Village include:
- Walking safaris
- Day tours and museum
- Weekend special events
- Traditional events and cultural celebrations
- Authentic Maasai jewelry
You can spend your day in the authentic Maasai Village and share the real Maasai life, learning about Maasai hunting techniques and incredible natural medicines. Enjoy an incredible and unforgettable evening right under the sparkling stars and enjoy a BBQ and the Maasai traditional ceremony before sleeping off on a comfortable cow-hide in your private Maasai house. Note that your visit supports local Maasai families with food, water, personal income, employment, education and medical treatments. All Maasai Jewelries that are on sale are hand-made and they are produced by Maasai women of nearby villages. It’s a great opportunity to meet and share life experiences with a Maasai warrior and the community of Olpopongi.