Culture: During our month in Tanzania, we will be based in Iringa, a town located in the Southern Highlands overlooking the valley of the Little Ruaha River. Iringa, the district capital, was originally built by Germans as a bastion against the Hehe, the major tribal group in the surrounding region. The Maji Maji rebellion began at the turn of the 20th century when German colonial administrators established cotton plantations in the south-east. Forced labor workers toiled under miserable salaries and living conditions, which ignited a rebellion. Following several failed attempts by Chief Mkwama, chief of the Hehe tribe, to negotiate with the Germans, he led his men in the infamous battle of Lugalo, just outside Iringa. Between 1905 and 1907, 100,000 people lost their lives, large areas of the south were devastated and barren, and malnutrition was widespread. The Maji Maji uprising resulted in a temporary liberalization of colonial rule and introduction of a civilian government, which promoted the development of a national identity among different ethnic groups and intensified anti-colonial sentiments.
Ministry: About 45% of Tanzanians are Christian and 40% are Muslim. There is a smattering of other world religions including Hindus, Sikhs, and Ismaelis. While in Iringa, we are working with Pastor Emmanuel at International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC). We will be teaching Sunday school, preaching, teaching English, teaching musical instruments (guitar, violin, and keyboard), door to door evangelism, orphanage ministry, and cleaning up the church grounds.
Language: Swahili and English are the official languages. While English is widely spoken in major towns, in smaller places and rural areas a few key Swahili phrases are helpful. In Iringa, most people do not have a very good grasp of the English language, making bargaining at the local market and conversations with neighbors of the church difficult without an interpreter. Other local language groups include Sukuma, Makonde, Haya, Ha, Gogo, Yao, Nilotic, Cushitic, an Khoisan or ‘click’ languages. Please refer to blog “Kenya” for a few Swahili phrases.
- “mungu akubariki” means God bless you!
- “bwana safiwe” means Praise the Lord!
Interestingly, as a ministry to the church, we are teaching English to a handful of locals. But, I do believe that we are learning more Swahili in the process than they are learning English.
Food: One of the most common local dishes is ugali made from maize or cassava flour and eaten with a sauce containing meat, fish, beans, and/or greens. Rice and cooked plantains are also served regularly. Also very popular is nyama choma, grilled meat. Street vendors commonly sell uji, a thin, sweet porridge made from bean flour, hard-boiled eggs, vitambua, small rice cakes like a tiny thick pancake, and mkate wa kumimina, a bread. Our team in Iringa is the only team in World Race history, who has the privilege of cooking for ourselves in Africa. We have fashioned a kitchen out of the backyard and two clay stoves heated by coals African style. Most meals require an investment of time to get the coals heated and a collaborative, cooperative effort of chopping and preparing. It certainly gives new appreciation for the meals generously prepared for us.
