AFRICAN TOURISM-TANZANIA CULTURE

 

 THE AFRICAN CULTURE  is full of diversity and  in Tanzania can be found in places of worship, architecture and the scenery, to mention just a few. But despite the cultural differences between the 120 plus tribes, there is no such uniformity as celebrating cultural diversity. Naturally, you only find something truly 'local and authentic' by falling over it.When I visited the sprawling villages of Marangu recently, I found the people warm and ever smiling. On the way, I was delighted to swap the flat, almost barren landscape of the junction at Himo for the lush, green and mountainous scenery of Marangu. Himo town is hot and has the most unpredictable weather, as it gets chilly and windy at night.

Everywhere you look is intensely green. Even in the dry season when the locals claim 'it is so dry' the countryside remains green. Neatly cultivated plots stretch up and down on both sides of the road. It is worth pointing out that the surrounding countryside holds a unique beauty, which rewards the visitor and explorer.

Entirely different

Life in Marangu is entirely different from other parts of Tanzania. To some, life seems more civilized as there is a 'noticeable' sign of wealth. Walking through the villages is always fascinating - you would think that the more you see the easier it would be to learn. Actually, the opposite is true!To be fair, Marangu has redeeming features. There is the historic Chagga museum, found in the area and containing traditional huts to show how people in the area lived in the 18th and 19th century; and there are also collections of tools and equipment used during the past colonial wars. These include tools used for farming, feeding and milking cows, cooking utensils and drinking the famous banana beer best known as 'Mbege'.

Famous for some of the sprawling collection of waterfalls along the main river, Marangu Mtoni, the place offers Kilasiya, Ndoro and Kinukamori waterfalls, among others, which offer home to plenty of water life as well as high-rise cliffs.Nature enthusiasts are in their element when touring the Ngangu hill that provides great opportunities to witness the northern side of the rooftop of Africa, Mt Kilimanjaro.

 Whiling away the hours in Marangu is easy as the must-go place is, naturally, Marangu Mtoni where there is a laid-back attitude to life, which is catchy. It does not take long for one to fall in with local ways and enjoy a drink while gazing at the Mt Kilimanjaro on a cloudless horizon, a daily ritual observed by many. And once the sun has set and all the possible colours have been squeezed from its ball, it is time to eat bananas!The strategic Marangu Mtoni is just perfect as it offers on eclectic day and night scene with global trekkers meeting and getting to know one another. The food is just downright grand and interesting.

maasai in the market

With the pale blue-sky horizon with few clouds over Marangu, someone once said it's what Kilimanjaro must look like. But I think it is what Marangu must look like. Certainly, it is this comment from the casual visitor - safe from tsetse flies, wild animals with plenty of bananas. And winter clothes during the chilly June to July.The memorable highlight of my short but eventful visit was meeting the locals during the market days.