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Ethnic Diversity in East Africa: The Tanzanian Case and the Role of Kiswahili Language as a Unifying Factor
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Ethnic Diversity in East Africa: The Tanzanian Case and the Role of Kiswahili Language as a Unifying Factor Huruma Luhuvilo Sigalla Introduction Ethnic distinction can be based on language, geography or kinship. It is a form of identity. This chapter attempts to discuss some social factors useful in the process of building national identity, peace and political stability. It explores the development of Kiswahili from a historical and anthropological point of view including how the language has been developed in Tanzania. The chapter will focus on some factors such as trade, political decisions and policies as well as cultural factors especially joking relationships, religious beliefs and practices, the educational system and the national services which among others have contributed to the development of Kiswahili as a national language and one of the unifying factors in Tanzania. Although there are other factors which facilitated the process of nation building, peace and stability in Tanzania, the focus of this chapter will be on the contribution of Kiswahili to this process. In addition, it will discuss the development of Kiswahili in East Africa, and its possibilities as a lingua franca in Eastern Africa. Towards the end, the chapter addresses some challenges Tanzania is facing with Kiswahili as a national language. Internal and historical factors Tanzania is a diversified country with over one hundred ethnic groups and different religions. Whereas some ethnic groups are big in size others are small. There is also differentiation in political, military and social organization; for instance between the Nyamwezi, Sukuma, Hehe and Chaga. Although, the Nyamwezi under Mirambo were strong politically and militarily, they did not seek to conquer others and control them. Some scholars for instance, Svendsen and Teisen1 , have pointed out that Tanzania’s ethnic groups “were loosely organized with many leaders; thus, tribalism failed to become a significant political factor”. Therefore, from sociological and anthropological points of view this organizational structure can be described as a decentralized type of political and governance system. The pre-colonial tribal relationships and interactions were built in peace rather than conflict. The pre-colonial kiswahili language as a unifying factor 105 106 ETHNIC DIVERSITY IN EASTERN AFRICA communities, despite their ethnic diversity, lived in harmonious relationships due to various socio-cultural factors. But, the word “harmonious” does not mean there were no conflicts or/and eruptions of wars. Although, there is a limited body of literature on the factors which held different ethnic groups together before colonialism in Tanzania, some socio-economic and cultural factors such as social organization, the size and number of ethnic groups, their spiritual life and practices (matambiko) and trade may have contributed in building cohesive relationships. Another factor is the joking relationships (Utani/Mtani), a type of ideology which existed in Tanzania between various ethnic groups and built friendships between them. Utani created a strong sense of solidarity, neighborhood and later on shared identity between groups. There were several factors which created this type of relationship. The most common factor was neighborhood, especially, among tribes which shared boundaries2 . The second factor was conflict. For instance, the Ngoni created joking friendships with other tribes in southern parts after being in conflict (wars) with them. Some tribes formed alliances as watani such as Matumbi and Ndengereko in order to protect themselves against enemies. Others developed utani between them based on the belief that they are related by blood in the sense that they share ancestors. Ethnic groups around Lake Victoria such as Haya, Kuria, Zanaki, Luo among others became watani through trade and fishing. It was necessary for them to have good relationships in order to successfully and peacefully carry out their activities. Conflict between them would have excluded some of them from using and extracting resources from the lake, and consequently undermine their social development. Therefore, hostile and conflictual relationships could have caused more harm, destruction and causalities in their undertakings than peace and harmonious relationships. Fishing was smooth mainly because of the utani between them. This social relationship and ideology of utani laid a foundation for peace, and gradually facilitated a process which undermined the tribal feelings and identity and created the thrust for good neighborhood, and national identity and solidarity. Nyamwezi for instance, established joking relationships with a number of tribes from Tabora to the Coast, in the process of trade. They created and maintained utani relationship with some tribes along the trade routes. Gradually, such relations together with other factors laid a foundation for future national unity. It is also important to...