Tanzania is one of the most diverse countries when it comes it ethnicity. It has about 120 ethnic tribes. The Chagga people are third biggest tribe and they have always lived on the foothill of the Kilimanjaro Mountain.
Additionally, the Chagga are organized into roughly 400 clans, each of which is headed by a leader known locally as a mangi.
The Chief of Chiefs, Mangi Mkuuw, has complete authority over the clans. In addition to speaking Chagga, the residents of Chagga also speak Kiswahili, the national language of Tanzania.
Economic activities
Because of the fertile soils on the foot of Kilimanjaro Mountain, the Chagga people are predominantly farmers.
They grow beans, coffee, maize, millet, and bananas.
One of their primary products, finger millet, is primarily grown for the production of Mbege, a local beer.
Since the Mbege is intended to be a communal brew, it is served in a community port. The Chagga people view this behavior as a virtue that fosters unity.
In their traditional diet, the Chagga people consume a lot of meat, fruits, vegetables, bananas, corn, and beans.
The Chagga used to wear skin and cowhides until the arrival of clothing during the colonial era. The Chagga people are among the best educated in Tanzania today, and they have a reputation for being successful businesspeople.
Being the first tribe in Tanzania to accept Christianity and formal schooling, they are renowned for their wealth and education.
History of the Chagga Clans
The Chagga are divided into are more 400 clans. The clans were created after a series of civil wars in the area.
Boundaries to these clans were marked by rives, valley and rocks. The modern day Chagga people are more united than the ancient ones.
The Chagga people of Moshi and Kilimanjaro have lived in the vicinity of the mountain for ages.
The Chagga might be one tribe but subdivided into many clans. These clans were categorized under different chiefdoms.
Chagga Chiefs
The Chagga chiefs were formerly quite powerful. They also performed the role of community judges. The chiefs would also lead clan wars in an attempt to enslave other tribes.
They would also permit others to travel through their area.
Even the first European explorers of Kilimanjaro needed permission to reach the summit.
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