Population: 40,000 Location and Background: The Alagwa live in in a geographically remote area at 4,000-6,000’ elevation in the hills and mountains of central Tanzania. They live in 15 villages, and although the Bubu river runs through the lower lands, the higher regions suffer from lack of water and they often must walk miles to find water to meet the… Read more »
Population: 140,000 Location and Background: The Antakarana, who are originally of mixed Austronesian, African and Arab ancestry, settled in the far north of Madagascar in the 12th c. with the town of Ambatoharanana considered their capital. They are called “People of the White Coral Rocks” as they live in a geographically isolated, rocky place. In the late 18th c they… Read more »
Population: 750,000 Location and Background: The Malagasy people, who are a mixed Malayo-Indonesia and African-Arab ancestry, are believed to have migrated to the island between 1500-2100 years ago. The Bara live in the grasslands of south-central Madagascar, and although there are some roads, it is not very accessible by vehicles. History: While traditionally a cattle people, changes are taking place… Read more »
Population: 200,000 Location and Background: Datooga is the name of the large group to which the Barabaig and Taturu belong— there are possibly 16 groups or clans. They were formerly nomadic but now most farm as well as keep animals. Although scattered across Tanzania, their homeland seems to be near the sacred mountain Mt Hanang, which is an important theme… Read more »
Population: 64,000 Location and Background: The Didinga live in the Didinga hills—in the valleys, on the plateaus and slopes, and on the adjacent plains of the region. Their neighbors include the Boya, Toposa, Dodoth, Dongotono and Lotuka/Lopit. There were tensions in the past but now they are generally on friendly terms and intermarry and speak a similar language to the… Read more »
Population: 89,000 Location and Background: The Cushitic Gabbra live in the Chalbi desert along the border of Kenya and Ethiopia, keeping livestock such as camels, sheep and goats. The camel is central to their way of life and economy, and they follow weather patterns to move their herds in search of water and pasture. Their mobile houses are made of… Read more »
Population: 6300 Location and Background: The Ik (called “Teuso” by their neighbors) are a small farming and hunting community squeezed between the large, powerful Karamojong and Turkana pastoralist tribes. The Ik have struggled to survive in harsh ecological conditions—droughts and floods. They continue to fight against isolation and marginalization to overcome their difficult circumstances and enter Ugandan national life as… Read more »
Population: 30,000 Location and Background: The Kacipo (Suri) live on the Boma plateau with their tribal headquarters at Koma. They live in two villages, Meyun and Rumiit. They are a predominantly sedentary agrarian community, with rich fertile soil which allows them to grow a quantity of crops. History: They believe they originally lived on the banks of the Nile River,… Read more »
Population: 20-30,000 Location and Background: Also known as the Boya or Narim, the Laarim are a Nilotic people living in the Boya Hills. It’s a rugged and hilly terrain with rich savanna, high grasslands and scrub bushes. They live in small settlements, with the main town being Kimatong. History: The Laarim are close relatives of the Didinga, Murle and Tenet…. Read more »
Population: 30-40,000 Location and Background: A sub-tribe of the Lango, the Lokwa are agriculturalists and pastoralists living near the border with Uganda on the slopes of the Imatong massif. The area is mountainous with gentle slops and valleys, good rainfall and fertile soil. Their relationships with the Lotuka is not good due to cattle raiding and occasional feuds. History: The… Read more »
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