Culture of Tanzania
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Languages
Over 100 languages are spoken in Tanzania, most of them from the Bantu family. After independence, the government recognized that this represented a problem for national unity, and as a result introduced the Swahili language into all primary schools to spread its use. Swahili is the de facto official language; what the de jure official language or languages of the country are is not clear. However, English is so commonly used that it often serves the purpose.
Given the conditions of the period, it was not possible to introduce Swahili in the entire educational system, because the scale of the task of writing or translating textbooks for primary schools was already considerable. As a result, English, the colonial language since the end of World War I, is still the language of high schools and universities. Many students leave school after finishing primary education.
Although the many tribal languages are not actively suppressed, they do not enjoy the same linguistic rights as Swahili, and little by little they are disappearing, see language extinction. To date none of them has entirely vanished, but it is clear that unless the linguistic policy is changed, many will soon cease to exist.
Swahili literature
Some writers include:
- Shaaban Robert
- Penina Muhando Mlama
- Amandina Lihamba
- Edwin Semzaba
- Euphrase Kezilahabi
- Shafi Adam Shafi
- Chachage Seith Chachag
- Mustafa robert alleno
Music
National anthem
The Tanzanian national anthem is Mungu Ibariki Afrika (God Bless Africa), composed by South African composer Enock Sontonga. The song is also the national anthem of South Africa (with another tune),Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Art music
The music industry in Tanzania has seen many changes in the past ten years.With the mix of outside culture and the original feel of rich Tanzanian culture, Tanzanian musicians have become one of the best artists in East Africa.From the legendary artists such as Dionys Mbilinyi,Sabinus Komba and many others,to new vibrat artists in R&B, Pop, Zouk, Taarab and Dance Music. Art musicians include: . Mr.Elliot Andy
- Dionys Mbilinyi - Composer, pianist, church organist and choral conductor
- John Mgandu - Composer, pianist, church organist and choral conductor
- Sabinus Komba - Ethnomusicologist, composer and conductor
- Imani Sanga - Composer, ethnomusicologist, church organist and choral conductor
- Mutdamnyoba - Composer and choral conductor
- Amri Hingi - Composer and choral conductor
- Isaac Nyato - Composer and choral conductor
- Ng'asi- Pianist
- Dani Simile - Composer and choral conductor
Art
Painting
Tanzanian painters include Edward Said Tinga Tinga, Mohammed Raza, Elias Jengo, and Stephen Ndibalema. Tingatinga are the popular African paintings painted with enamel paints on canvas. Usually the motives are animals and flowers in colourful and repetitive design. The style was started by Mr. Edward Saidi Tingatinga born in South Tanzania. Later he moved to Dar Es Salaam. Since his death in 1972 the Tingatinga style expanded both in Tanzania and worldwide. One of the most famous African artists was born in Tanzania - [George Lilanga]. Other recognized Tanzanian abstract artists are David Mzuguno, Haji Chilonga, Salum Kambi, Max Kamundi, [Thobias Minzi], Robino Ntila, John Kilaka and many others.
- Tinga Tinga painting - Brightly colored and whimiscal nature art indigenous to Tanzania
- www.tingatinga.info - Information about Tingatinga
- Website of John Kilaka
- Tanzania art on Internet
- Information about George Lilanga
See also
Sculpture
- Makonde sculpture
- George Lilanga, who died in 2005, was one of Tanzania's most famous sculptors.
tanzania has a good song called "o the meat here is great"
Food
Tanzanian cuisine is both unique and widely varied. Tanzania is made of the mainland (Tanganyika) and the Islands (Zanzibar & Pemba). Along the coastal regions (Dar-es-salaam, Tanga, Bagamoyo, Zanzibar & Pemba),spicey foods are common, and there is also much use of coconut milk. Regions in Tanzania's mainland also have their own unique foods. Some typical mainland Tanzanian foods include, Rice (Wali), Ugali, Chapati(a kind of bread), Nyama Choma, Mshikaki, Fish, Pilau & Biryani, Ndizi-Nyama, Plantains, vegetables as part of diet (Bamia/Okra, Mchicha/spinach, Njegere/green peas, Maharage/Beans, Kisamvu/Cassava leaves) etc.
Famous Snacks: Bread rolls- Maandazi, Visheti, Kashata, Kabab, Samosa (Sambusa), Mkate wa kumimina, Vileja, Vitumbua ,Bagia & many others
Beverages Many people drink tea (Chai) in Tanzania. Usually tea is drunk in the morning, during breakfast with Chapati (pancakes), Maandazi (bread rolls of various types), and at times at night during supper. Coffee is second, and usually is taken in the evening, when the sun is cool, and people are on the front porch, playing cards or Bao. Many drink coffee with Kashata (a very sweet snack made from coconut meat or groundnuts).
There are also local beverages depending on the different tribes and regions .E.g. Local Brews: For coastal regions, such as Tanga and Dar-es-salaam, Mnazi/Tembo is widely consumed. Other brews include Wanzuki and Mbege among the Chagga, and Lubisi and Nkonyagi as well as Mbandule among the Haya found on the shore of Lake Victoria.