Chagga
Chagga Location: Kilimanjaro region in northern Tanzania; Population: est. btn 832,420 to 1.1 Million (Worldwide); Religion: Christianity 85%, Islam 13%, Others ;The Chagga with more than 400 clans, are an extremely industrious Bantu people. Living on the fertile slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, they have developed remarkable irrigation systems, advanced cultivation methods on terraced fields and turned coffee plantations into profitable cash crops. They have a reputation of being modern businessmen but it is interesting to note that cultivation remains clearly divided into three categories: beans, sweet potatoes and yams are grown by women with many rituals but only men cultivate bananas and eleusine, a small seed utilized in food; maize can be grown by both sexes. They are also famous for their adaptability. They were one of the first tribes in the area to become converted to Christianity. Some would say that it gave them access to education and health care. They are known as the "jews" of Tanzania as many are wealthy have good businesses and are in Government. Many have become well educated and now live away from Moshi but have built their "retirement" home on the mountain. Many would say that the biggest income for Tanzania is the money sent in from abroad by Chaggas who have gained good jobs and honour the family tradition by looking after the "clan". They are also very friendly and welcoming. Their villages around Kilimanjaro are very large because each family have a plot of land called their Kihamba. Some of the best known historical leaders are Paramount Chiefs Marealle,Rindi, Meli and Sina.
Note: "With the adoption of Western religions, traditional Chagga beliefs and practices have been reduced and synchronized to the new Christian beliefs... Islam was introduced to the Chagga people by early Swahili caravan traders... " [This is a measure of tribal affiliation, NOT a measure of how many people practice Chagga religion.]
Miscellaneous topics See also Kilimanjaro See also Moshi See also Kilimanjaro Native Cooperative Union (KNCU) See also Sir Charles Dundas See also Tanzania See also Rindi See also Marealle
External Links Ethnologue Chagga Language The Dancing Chagga Lifti