Tanzania Culture

Tanzanian Culture is a wonderful combination of influences of over 120 tribes. Visiting one of the most culturally diverse countries on Tanzania Safari Tours helps you meet various culturally diverse groups such as the tall and graceful Maasai warriors, the artistic talents of the Makonde to the Chaga farmers and traders, the ancient ways of the Hadza Bushmen, and the resourceful agricultural practices of the Wameru.

What is essential for travelers is to understand their cultural styles, traditions, and more before you start planning your visit to this amazing country.

Tanzanian Etiquettes

There are some basic disciplinary upbringing standards such as keeping control of one's temper and emotions in public and more that has been taught to the Tanzanian kids since childhood. Public display of affection is not liked so much and there are some very conservative rules regarding women’s clothing, speaking, and other styles. There are numerous Tanzania Culture Facts that every traveler visiting the country must be aware of.

Here are some Tanzanian Culture Tips that you should follow while on your Tanzania Safari Tours:

The Right Hand First

For eating, picking up food, and greeting people, Tanzanians prefer to use their right hand. They consider is cleaner compared to the left hand which is used solely for ablutions and bathroom activities. It’s a gesture of good manners among the people.

Say No to PDAs

The more romantic Public Display of Affections such as cuddles and kisses are deeply frowned upon. You are completely free to do so in your private rooms. The Islamic culture of Tanzania has people believe that affection of any kind between a man and woman is strictly left to the privacy of a bedroom.

Don’t Breathe in That Aroma

In the western culture taking in the aroma of a meal before tucking in is part of the enjoyment but in Tanzania sniffing food is viewed with suspicion and a sign of distaste. It is believed in their culture that food is only smelled when there is something wrong with it, or it is thought to be rotten. Apart from this sniffing is also considered to be highly insulting to the cook.

Tanzanians are always in a Great Mood

Tanzanians are polite, considerate and friendly, this is a result of their strong upbringing that helps them develop strong family ties, respect for elders the ability to control one’s anger in public is highly valued.

Ask before you Take Snapshots

You will find some enthusiastic Tanzanians who are extremely happy when visitors taking their snaps, as they show off their traditional dress and lifestyle. But it is considered a subject of privacy and it is respectful to ask people before you start clicking those snaps.

Never knock the aged

It is believed among many cultural groups in Tanzania that elders possess greater knowledge and questioning their opinions or not showing courtesy in their presence is one of the highest cultural offenses and must be avoided.

‘Hakuna Matata’ - You have heard it but don’t know the meaning?

What Disney’s Lion King popularised was the famous Song of ‘Hakuna Matata’, pronounced [hɑˈkunɑ mɑˈtɑtɑ] is a Swahili language phrase from East Africa, meaning "there is no trouble" or "There are no worries". This is a Tanzanian Catchphrase and it is very essential to understand that Tanzanian people do not rush and the travelers from the western part of the world have to understand that.

Learn the art of storytelling from Tanzanians

Although Tanzania’s ethnic groups have very little written history, most of the stories of their ancestral heritage and glory have trickled down to generations through verbal artful storytelling, and this process has become an essential part of their culture. On your Tanzania Safari Tours, you can learn some of these stories and anecdotes that enhance your trip experience.

Rite of passage

There are numerous rites and laws through which many Tanzanian youths have to pass before becoming adults. These laws are so strict that boys who have not undergone circumcision are rarely considered to be men. A similar situation prevails for women where girls who have not passed through female rites of passage are often considered to be worthless.

Tanzanian Food

Some of the inland food dishes that impact Tanzanian Food Culture are mentioned below:

Nyama Choma(grilled meat),
Nyama pori(wild/ bushmeat that is either sun-dried,
grilled or cooked),
Kiti Moto(grill pork),
Mishikaki(skewed meat),
Samaki(fish),
Ndizi( Plantains/ bananas),
Bamia(Okra),
Mchicha( greens/ spinach),
Njegere(peas),
Maharage(Beans),
Wali(rice),
Ugali,
Chapati(a bread),
Kuku choma(grilled chicken),
Kisamvu(cassava leaves),
kisusio(soup from boiled animal bones and meat or blood) and many dishes prepared the Tanzanian way.

Tanzania Culture influences its food invariably. With a mix of Islamic and European touch, you will find a distinct flavor in whatever you taste in Tanzania.

Taste The Culture And Traditions Of Tanzania With Jerry Tanzania Tours

There are many more aspects of Tanzania Culture And Traditions which you will learn on your Cultural Tourism In Tanzania. Choose from our delightful Tanzania Safari Packages that serves some of the Best Safari In Tanzania hosting thousands of travelers of Budget Safari Tanzania or Luxury Safari Tanzania all year round.

Contact our travel experts to start planning your customized itinerary today!

Tanzania Culture FAQ’s

We Have Compiled A List Of The Most Frequently Asked Questions About Tanzania Safari Tours In General, And About Tanzania Safari Packages, Get The Real Tanzania Safari Guide From Jerry Tanzania Tours.

Tanzania is origin to numerous of the best and biggest parks in Tanzania and some of the most mixed and unique scenes that you'll ever meet. Home to the Great Wildebeest Migration every year, Tanzania sees lots of animals make their way across the land in search of water and fresh pasture.

They have the community which is really polite to the travellers come for Tanzania Safari Holidays, The unique culture, myth and rituals are really something to know about.

Basically Tanzania food are giving the flavours of spices, they usually use coconut milk, And many dishes followed by bananas as banana is the most cultivate fruit over there. Apart from it some typical continental Tanzanian foods contain wali (rice), ugali (maize porridge), nyama choma (grilled meat), mshikaki (marinated beef), samaki (fish), pilau (rice mixed with a variety of spices), biriyani, and ndizi-nyama (plantains with meat) you can have in Serengeti Safari Experience.

Tea is the most prevalent drink in Tanzania with the locals favouring chai tea. Coffee is another beloved and is frequently sold by street vendors. Local beers consist of Kibo Gold, Serengeti Lager and Tusker, while mbege is a beer made from bananas. This can be try out through Tanzania Holidays.

From the Swahili words tanga (sail) and nyika (bright arid plain). Thus what was known previously as German East Africa became Tanganyika Territory?

In 1964, Tanganyika was combined with Zanzibar, an offshore archipelago of islands, to form the current United Republic of Tanzania. Because of a unique mixture of historic and cultural factors, Tanzanians share strong feelings of national pride and cohesion. It a country situated nearer to equator. And having very polite behavioural community for tourist of Tanzania Safari Tours.

For the events, Tanzanian men wear a kanzu, the traditional cap, and a European-style suit jacket or the traditional cloak called “bisht”. Tanzanian kanzu is often worn with a headdress called “kofia” (“hat” in Swahili). It is a cylindrical cap with a flat crown.

There's no authorised statistic, but approximations claim 80% of the Tanzanian residents are Muslim or Christian and 15% are animist - though this is just a uneven figure. The Islam deified in Tanzania is primarily of the Sunni faith. Christianity is the religion that most Tanzania people follow. It can be widely note by the travellers of Tanzania Safari Holidays.