World of Tanzania

Several people have asked me questions about life and culture here, so I will do my best to explain from what I have seen and heard.

There are about 120 different tribes here in Tanzania. The main ones in this Crater area are the Maasai, Iraq, and Chaga. A Tanzanian has told me that this is such a peaceful country because there is no one tribe that is particularly bigger than others. However, one of the most well known is the Maasai, maybe because they have managed to cling all the more tightly to their life as many other tribes have been converted by missionaries and traders over time.

In this area there are Lutherans, Episcopalians, and Catholics. Catholic monks run one neighboring coffee plantation, and incidentally supplies Starbucks…heard of the Rift Valley blend? Yep, comes from here. Nope, can’t get it here! (Unless you want to pay twice as much as you would in the States.) The coast is primarily Muslim, influenced by the Middle East, which is just across the water. I will be traveling there in a couple weeks, and am interested to see this “different world”.

Tradition is still thick, particularly in the Maasai world. The men like their many wives and still pay for their brides--unless they have a deformity of any sort, such as cleft palate, then they are free. The Maasai believe that all cattle in the world belong to them, which as I would imagine, has caused some turf wars over the years. As one Maasai jokingly told me, “time is cows”. Very important possessions, you can see. Ironically, time does not seem to touch them. The active volcano near Lake Natron is believed to the birthplace of the Maasai gods, but no one seems to know if they actually pray to them. The witch doctors have great influence in beliefs, and being here, I have come to appreciate the psychosomatic facet of medicine. Rubbing antibiotic cream has mended more “sprained” ankles during soccer games faster than you can sing “Happy Birthday.

Approximately 50% of the population is under 20 years of age. Approximately 20% of the country is infected with HIV. You do the math, and can appreciate the effects this has on the economy. And you can understand the need for orphanages…and for many more orphanages. Secondary school, our equivalent of high school, costs $1500 USD a year, which is about 3-4x what the average Tanzanian makes each year. So the need to survive supercedes education, hence more shidas (problems).

Recently I was wondering how I could remain touched by what I have seen here, how I would remember how lucky I am. It coincided with the end of our Computer/English class. As a female, I feel a particular responsibility to help the girls, and thought of the girls in my class. A handful of other volunteers have offered to help out, so between all of us, we are going to sponsor the top two girls through secondary school and hopefully give them a chance at a better life. The little pain I may feel of having to give something up to pay for them, is nothing compared to what these people live without every day.

There are numerous NGOs (Non Government Organizations) such as Dr. Frank’s FAME and India Howell’s orphanage here. There are HIV safe houses, orphanages, research groups, etc. Yes, there is aid sent by other countries, but as with many developing countries, the money and resources sometimes have trouble making their way to the people who actually need it.

The good news is that there ARE such organizations and people like Dr. Frank, Susan, India, and Paula who have dedicated their lives and endless energy to helping this beautiful country. And not to forget, the incredible people of Tanzania who inspire us to do what we can.