Tanzania, the Chagga

THE CHAGGA TOUR xx xI had a brochure for a program that benefited local schools through tourism. xI wanted to be certain I participated in that.x I didn't get much for my money except satisfaction for helping a good cause. x

The main ethnic group in the area was the Chagga people. xI had no interest in hiking to waterfalls, and certainly no desire for a five-day trek up Mt. Kilimanjaro (at over $100.00 a day), but I was interested in the Chagga cultural tour. xThe Chagga wore no traditional clothing and very few lived in traditional homes. xThe wood carver wasn't carving and had no finished work. xNo traditional blacksmiths were at the shop - but the guide located one man who demonstrated how Maasai spears were made. x(Apparently, Maasai people weren't blacksmiths. xThey traded for "Maasai spears" made by the Chagga people.) x

Nearby the hotel was a traditional Chagga hut. Apparently, not many were left. xThis particular home was 18 years old. xIt was beehive shaped.x Although small, the interior was divided into several compartments. xA second floor attic was for storing bananas. xThe ground floor had several partitions around the central cooking area. xThere was a divider that separated the goats, an area for children to sleep, the parents' sleeping area, and another storage place. xPretty good use of space!

`Copyright 2001 by Phillip Martin All rights reserved.`	World	Tanzania	E-mail

The Chagga house Maasai spears		THE CHAGGA TOUR xx xI had a brochure for a program that benefited local schools through tourism. xI wanted to be certain I participated in that.x I didn't get much for my money except satisfaction for helping a good cause. x The main ethnic group in the area was the Chagga people. xI had no interest in hiking to waterfalls, and certainly no desire for a five-day trek up Mt. Kilimanjaro (at over $100.00 a day), but I was interested in the Chagga cultural tour. xThe Chagga wore no traditional clothing and very few lived in traditional homes. xThe wood carver wasn't carving and had no finished work. xNo traditional blacksmiths were at the shop - but the guide located one man who demonstrated how Maasai spears were made. x(Apparently, Maasai people weren't blacksmiths. xThey traded for "Maasai spears" made by the Chagga people.) x Nearby the hotel was a traditional Chagga hut. Apparently, not many were left. xThis particular home was 18 years old. xIt was beehive shaped.x Although small, the interior was divided into several compartments. xA second floor attic was for storing bananas. xThe ground floor had several partitions around the central cooking area. xThere was a divider that separated the goats, an area for children to sleep, the parents' sleeping area, and another storage place. xPretty good use of space!