List of ethnic groups in Tanzania
Encyclopedia
This is a list of ethnic groups in Tanzania. Groups names are listed without any prefix, although many groups refer to themselves with a prefix from their own language and are referred to by many Tanzanians with the Swahili "Wa" prefix.
Some group names given in this list may be problematic, for a variety of reasons. This list was derived from the Ethnologue list of Tanzanian languages, and a related web page. Some of the names given as ethnic groups may in fact be names of languages or dialects, and some may be misspellings or alternate spellings. Moreover, no clear guidelines exist to define what constitutes an ethnic group. Some groups on this list contain just a few thousand members, whereas others contain several million; in such cases, the group designation is referring to vastly different social entities. The groups on this page are generally listed as distinct ethnic groups based on the evidence of language differentiation from Ethnologue
.
This list refers to indigenous
ethnic groups in the territory that is now called Tanzania
, including groups whose historical territory is now divided by borders with neighboring countries. The list does not include ethnic groups that reside in Tanzania as refugees from conflicts in nearby countries. Nor does the list include ethnic groups indigenous to other countries that have large immigrant populations in Tanzania, such as immigrants or their descendents from the Arabian peninsula
and the Indian subcontinent
.
The Sukuma is the largest ethnic group in Tanzania, with an estimated 5.5 million members representing about 16 percent of the country's total population.
Some group names given in this list may be problematic, for a variety of reasons. This list was derived from the Ethnologue list of Tanzanian languages, and a related web page. Some of the names given as ethnic groups may in fact be names of languages or dialects, and some may be misspellings or alternate spellings. Moreover, no clear guidelines exist to define what constitutes an ethnic group. Some groups on this list contain just a few thousand members, whereas others contain several million; in such cases, the group designation is referring to vastly different social entities. The groups on this page are generally listed as distinct ethnic groups based on the evidence of language differentiation from Ethnologue
Ethnologue
Ethnologue: Languages of the World is a web and print publication of SIL International , a Christian linguistic service organization, which studies lesser-known languages, to provide the speakers with Bibles in their native language and support their efforts in language development.The Ethnologue...
.
This list refers to indigenous
Indigenous peoples of Africa
The indigenous people of Africa are those people of Africa whose way of life, attachment or claims to particular lands, and social and political standing in relation to other more dominant groups have resulted in their substantial marginalisation within modern African states The indigenous people...
ethnic groups in the territory that is now called Tanzania
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
, including groups whose historical territory is now divided by borders with neighboring countries. The list does not include ethnic groups that reside in Tanzania as refugees from conflicts in nearby countries. Nor does the list include ethnic groups indigenous to other countries that have large immigrant populations in Tanzania, such as immigrants or their descendents from the Arabian peninsula
Arabian Peninsula
The Arabian Peninsula is a land mass situated north-east of Africa. Also known as Arabia or the Arabian subcontinent, it is the world's largest peninsula and covers 3,237,500 km2...
and the Indian subcontinent
Indian subcontinent
The Indian subcontinent, also Indian Subcontinent, Indo-Pak Subcontinent or South Asian Subcontinent is a region of the Asian continent on the Indian tectonic plate from the Hindu Kush or Hindu Koh, Himalayas and including the Kuen Lun and Karakoram ranges, forming a land mass which extends...
.
The Sukuma is the largest ethnic group in Tanzania, with an estimated 5.5 million members representing about 16 percent of the country's total population.
- Alagwa
- Akiek
- ArushaArusha (ethnic group)The Arusha are an ethnic and linguistic group based in Arusha Region in northern Tanzania. The Arusha are distinct from, but related to, the Maasai....
- AssaAssa (ethnic group)The Assa are an ethnic and linguistic group based on the Maasai Steppe of northern Tanzania. In 1999 the Assa population was estimated to number 300, after the eastern Assa became absorbed into the Maasai. The Assa language is a Afro-Asiatic one called Aasáx...
- BarabaigBarabaigThe Barabaig are a tribe of the Datooga people based in the northern volcanic highlands near Mount Hanang in Tanzania.Many Barabaig were forcibly evicted from the Basotu Plains in the 1990s to make room for a large-scale wheat-growing project of the Canadian and Tanzanian governments....
- Bembe
- Bena
- BendeBendeThe Bende are an ethnolinguistic group based in the Mpanda District of Rukwa Region in western Tanzania. In 1999 the Bende population was estimated to number 27,000.-Further reading:...
- BondeiBondeiThe Bondei are an ethnic group based in the Usambara Mountains of Tanga Region in northeastern Tanzania. Bondei speak a Bantu language and are related to the Shambaa ethnic group. Population is roughly 100,000.-References:...
- BunguBunguThe Bungu are an ethnic and linguistic group based in the Chunya District of Mbeya Region in south-western Tanzania. In 1987 the Bungu population was estimated to number 36,000....
- Burunge
- Chaga
- Datooga
- DhaisoDhaisoThe Dhaiso, or Daiso, are an ethnic and linguistic group based at the foot of the Usambara Mountains in the Muheza District of Tanga Region in northeastern Tanzania. In 1999 the Dhaiso population was estimated to number 5,000, and the Dhaiso language is not being transmitted by adults to children....
- Digo
- Doe
- Fipa
- GogoGogo (ethnic group)The Gogo are a Bantu ethnic and linguistic group based in the Dodoma Region of central Tanzania. In 1992 the Gogo population was estimated to number 1,300,000...
- Gorowa
- GwenoGwenoThe Gweno are a Chaga ethnic and linguistic group based in the northernmost part of the Pare Mountains in the Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania. In 2000 the ethnic Gweno population was estimated to number somewhere over 2,000, with their nearly extinct language spoken mostly by older adults, while...
- Ha
- Hadza
- HangazaHangazaThe Hangaza are an ethnic and linguistic group based in Kagera Region in northwestern Tanzania. In 1987 the Hangaza population was estimated to number 150,000....
- HayaHaya (ethnic group)The Haya are an ethnic and linguistic group based in the Bukoba, Muleba and Karagwe Districts of Kagera Region in northwestern Tanzania. In 1991 the Haya population was estimated to number 1,200,000. They speak the Haya language.-Haya History:...
- Hehe
- IkizuIkizuThe Ikizu are an ethnic and linguistic group based in Mara Region in northern Tanzania. In 1987 the Ikizu population was estimated to number 28,000The Ikizu are an ethnic and linguistic group based in Mara Region in northern Tanzania...
- IkomaIkoma (ethnic group)The Ikoma are an ethnic and linguistic group based in Mara Region in northern Tanzania. In 1987 the Ikoma population was estimated to number 15,000. The Ikoma find and collect honey. With help from a small bird unable to reach the abandoned honey combs the Ikoma eat and sell the honey...
- Iraqw
- IsanzuIsanzuThe Isanzu are an ethnic and linguistic group based in the Iramba District of Singida Region in central Tanzania. In 1987 the Isanzu population was estimated to number 32,400 . They speak a Bantu language , have matrilineal descent groups and are agriculturalists who subsist on sorghum, millet...
- JijiJijiJiji refers to an ethnic and linguistic group based in Ujiji in western Tanzania. In 1987 the Jiji population was estimated to number 12,000. However, Ethnologue has subsequently determined that no solid evidence can be found for the existence of a distinct Jiji language, and proposes that Jiji...
- JitaJitaThe Jita are an ethnic and linguistic group based in Mara Region in northern Tanzania, on the southeastern shore of Lake Victoria. In 1987 the Jita population was estimated to number 217,000 .-References:...
- KabwaKabwaThe Kabwa are an ethnic and linguistic group based in Mara Region in north-central Tanzania ....
- Kagura
- KaguruKaguruThe Kaguru, or Kagulu, are an ethnic and linguistic group based in central Tanzania. In 1987 the Kaguru population was estimated to number 217,000.- Geography :...
- KaheKaheThe Kahe are an ethnic and linguistic group based southeast of Moshi in northern Tanzania. The Kahe language, or Kikahe, is in the Chagga cluster of Bantu languages. Three dialects are recognized: Kimwangaria, Msengoni and Kichangareni. Kikahe is spoken by 9130 people, and is one of the smaller...
- KamiKami (ethnic group)The Kami are an ethnic and linguistic group based near Morogoro, Tanzania. In 2000 the Kami population was estimated to be 16,411 .The Kami language is a Bantu language, sharing substantial lexical similarities with Kutu, Kwere, Zaramo, Doe, and Luguru....
- KaraKara (ethnic group)The Kara are an ethnic and linguistic group mainly based in the Ukerewe District, in the Tanzanian section of Lake Victoria . In 1987 the Kara population was estimated to number 86,000 ....
(also called Regi) - KereweKereweThe Kerewe are an ethnic and linguistic group based on Ukerewe Island in the Tanzanian section of Lake Victoria.-Arts:The Kerewe of Ukerewe Island in Lake Victoria carved large wooden figures, about 3 feet high, which appear to have been effigies of deceased chiefs...
- KimbuKimbuThe Kimbu are an ethnic and linguistic group based in west-central Tanzania. In 1987 the Kimbu population was estimated to number 78,000 ....
- KingaKingaThe Kinga are an ethnic and linguistic group based in southwestern Tanzania, in the Kipengere Range northeast of Lake Malawi...
- KisankasaKisankasaThe Kisankasa are an ethnic and linguistic group based in northern Tanzania. In 1987 the Kisankasa population was estimated to number 4,670 . The Kisankasa are distinct from other groups often called Dorobo....
- Kisi
- KonongoKonongoThe Konongo are an ethnic and linguistic group based in the Mpanda District of Rukwa Region in western Tanzania. In 1987 the Konongo population was estimated to number 51,000 ....
- KuriaKuria (ethnic group)thumb|Kenyan Kuria men singing and dancing.The Kuria are an ethnic and linguistic group resident in the Tarime and Serengeti districts of the Mara region in Northern Tanzania, and the west and east districts of Nyanza Province in southwest Kenya...
- KutuKutuThe Kutu are a matrilineal ethnic and linguistic group based in the Morogoro Region of central Tanzania. In 1987 the Kutu population was estimated to number 45,000 ....
- Kw'adza
- Kwavi
- KwayaKwayaThe Kwaya are an ethnic and lingo group based in the Mara Region of northern Tanzania, on the southeastern shore of Lake Victoria. In 1987 the Kwaya population was estimated to number 102000....
- KwereKwereThe Kwere are a matrilineal ethnic and linguistic group based in the Bagamoyo District of coastal Tanzania. The primary language spoken is Ngwele. In 1987 the Kwere population was estimated to number 98,000 ....
- KwifaKwifaThe Kwifa are an ethnic and linguistic group based in Tanzania ....
- LambyaLambyaThe Lambya, also known as the Nkoya, are an ethnic and linguistic group based along the border of northwestern Malawi and southwestern Tanzania. A minority also exists in Zambia...
- Luguru
- LuoLuo (Kenya and Tanzania)The Luo are an ethnic group in Kenya, eastern Uganda, and northern Tanzania. They are part of a larger group of ethnolinguistically related Luo peoples who inhabit an area including southern Sudan, northern and eastern Uganda, western Kenya, and northern Tanzania.The Luo are the third largest...
- Maasai
- MachingaMachingaThe Machinga are an ethnic and linguistic group based in Lindi Region on the southern Indian Ocean coast of Tanzania. In 1987 the Machinga population was estimated to number 36,000 ....
- MagomaMagomaThe Magoma are an ethnic and linguistic group based in the Makete District of Iringa Region in southern Tanzania. In 2003 the Magoma population was estimated to number 9,000 ....
- Makonde
- Makua
- MakweMakweThe Makwe are an ethnic and linguistic group based on the Indian Ocean coast in northern Mozambique and southern Tanzania. In 2003 the Makwe population was estimated to number 32,000, of which 22,000 live in Mozambique and 10,000 live in Tanzania . In Tanzania the Makwe language is also known as...
- MalilaMalilaThe Malila are an ethnic and linguistic group based in Mbeya Region in south-western Tanzania. In 2003 the Malila population was estimated to number 65,000 ....
- Mambwe
- MandaManda (ethnic group)The Manda are an ethnic and linguistic group based in Ludewa District in the Iringa Region of southern Tanzania, along the eastern shore of Lake Malawi. In 2002 the Manda population was estimated to number 22,000 ....
- MatengoMatengoThe Matengo are an ethnic and linguistic group based in Mbinga District, Ruvuma Region in southern Tanzania.In 1957, the population estimate was 57,000, while in 2010, the Matengo population was estimated to number 284,000. Their religious affiliation is to Christianity. Their Affinity Bloc is...
- Matumbi
- MavihaMavihaThe Maviha are an ethnic and linguistic group based along the border between Tanzania and Mozambique. . They speak Mahiva language, a Niger-Congo language, and second languages like English in Tanzania, Portuguese and Makua in Mozambique, and Swahili in both countries....
- Mbugwe
- MbungaMbungaThe Mbunga are an ethnic and linguistic group based in south-central Tanzania. In 1987 the Mbunga population was estimated to number 29,000 ....
- Meru (Wameru of the slopes of Mt. Meru in Arumeru District)
- Mosiro
- MpotoMpotoThe Mpoto are an ethnic and linguistic group based in the Mbinga District of Ruvuma Region in southern Tanzania, along the northeast shore of Lake Malawi...
- MwangaMwanga (ethnic group)Winamwanga are found in northern Zambia and southwestern Tanzania. They speak Nyamwanga or Chinamwanga. In 1993 the Mwanga population was estimated to number 256,000, with 169,000 living in Zambia and 87,000 in Tanzania ....
- Mwera
- NdaliNdali (ethnic group)The Ndali are an ethnic and linguistic group based in southern Tanzania and northern Malawi. In 1987 the Ndali population of Tanzania was estimated to number 150,000, and in 2003 the population in Malawi was estimated at 70,000, for a total for the group of about 220,000 ....
- NdambaNdambaThe Ndamba is an ethnic and linguistic group based in south-central Tanzania whose population was 79,000 in 1987. It is found in South Central, the Iringa Region, northeast of Bena, southeast of Hehe, west of Pogolo and southwest of Mbunga.-Language:...
- NdendeuleNdendeuleThe Ndendeule are an ethnic and linguistic group based in southern Tanzania. In 2000 the Ndendeule population was estimated to number 100,000 ....
- NdengerekoNdengerekoThe Ndengereko are an ethnic and linguistic group based on the central coast of Tanzania, south of the Zaramo River and north of the Rufiji River. In 2000 the Ndengereko population was estimated to number 110,000 ....
- NdondeNdondeThe Ndonde, or Ndonde Hamba, are an ethnic and linguistic group based in Nachingwea District, in the Lindi Region of southern Tanzania. In 2002 the Ndonde population was estimated to number between 10,000 and 20,000 ....
- NgasaNgasaThe Ngasa are an ethnic and linguistic group based on the eastern slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro in northern Tanzania. In 2000 the ethnic Ngasa population was estimated to number 4,285, with only 200 to 300 members continuing to speak the Ngasa language ....
- NgindoNgindoThe Ngindo are an ethnic and linguistic group based in east-central Tanzania, south of the Rufiji River. In 1987 the Ngindo population was estimated to number 220,000 ....
- NgoniNgoni peopleThe Ngoni people are an ethnic group living in Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia, in east-central Africa. The Ngoni trace their origins to the Zulu people of kwaZulu-Natal in South Africa...
- Ngulu
- NgurimiNgurimiThe Ngurimi are an ethnic and linguistic group based in northern Tanzania near the border with Kenya. In 1987 the Ngurimi population was estimated to number 32,000 ....
- Ngwele
- Nilamba
- NindiNindiThe Nindi are an ethnic and linguistic group based in southern Tanzania, in the Songea District of Ruvuma Region close to the border with Mozambique. Ethnologue estimates that the Nindi population is now only 100 people . The group is virtually unknown outside of Songea....
- Nyakyusa
- NyamboNyamboThe Nyambo, or Ragwe, are a Bantu ethnic and linguistic group based in the Karagwe District of Kagera Region in far northwestern Tanzania. In 2003 the Nyambo population was estimated to number 400,000 .- References :...
- NyamwangaNyamwangaMwanga, or Namwanga, is a Bantu language spoken by the Namwanga in the Northern Province of Zambia and in southwestern Tanzania...
- NyamweziNyamweziThe Nyamwezi, or Wanyamwezi, are the second-largest of over 120 ethnic groups in Tanzania. They live in the northwest central area of the country, between Lake Victoria and Lake Rukwa...
- NyanyembeNyanyembeThe Nyanyembe are a tribe of the Nyamwezi people of northern Tanzania....
- Nyaturu
- NyihaNyihaThe Nyiha are an ethnic and linguistic group based in southwestern Tanzania and northeastern Zambia. In 1993 the Nyiha population was estimated to number 626,000, of which 306,000 were in Tanzania and 320,000 were in Zambia....
- Nyiramba
- PangwaPangwaThe Pangwa are an ethnic and linguistic group based in the Livingstone Mountains on the eastern shore of Lake Malawi, in the Ludewa District of Iringa Region in southern Tanzania. In 2002 the Pangwa population was estimated to number 95,000 . The Pangwa language is a member of the Niger–Congo...
- Pare
- PimbwePimbweThe Pimbwe are an ethnic and linguistic group based in the Rukwa Region of western Tanzania. In 1987 the Pimbwe population was estimated to number 29,000 ....
- PogoloPogoloThe Pogoro are an ethnic and linguistic group based in south-central Tanzania.- References :* Green, M. . Priests, Witches and Power: Popular Christianity after Mission in Southern Tanzania. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press....
- RangiRangi (ethnic group)The Rangi are an ethnic and linguistic group based in the Dodoma Region of central Tanzania. In 1999 the Rangi population was estimated to number 350,000 .The Rangi call their language Kilaangi, though it is more commonly known as Rangi or Kirangi....
- RufijiRufiji (ethnic group)The Rufiji are an ethnic and linguistic group based in the central coast of Tanzania, near the Rufiji River. In 1987 the Rufiji population was estimated to number 200,000 ....
- RungiRungiThe Rungi are an ethnic and linguistic group based in western Tanzania, on the southeast shore of Lake Tanganyika. In 1987 the Rungi population was estimated to number 166,000 ....
- RunguRungu (African ethnic group)The Lungu Rungu are an ethnic and linguistic group based in southwestern Tanzania and northeastern Zambia. In 1987 the Rungu population in Tanzania was estimated to number 34,000...
- RungwaRungwaThe Rungwa are an ethnic and linguistic group based in the Mpanda District of Rukwa Region in western Tanzania. In 1987 the Rungwa population was estimated to number 18,000 ....
- RwaRwaThe Rwa are an ethnic and linguistic group based around Mount Meru in the Arusha Region of Tanzania. In 1987 the Rwa population was estimated to number 90,000 ....
- SafwaSafwaThe Safwa are an ethnic and linguistic group based in the mountains of the Mbeya Region, Tanzania. The Safwa language is a member of the large Niger–Congo language family group. Alternate names for Safwa are Ishisafwa, Cisafwa, and Kisafwa. Its dialects are Guruka, Mbwila, Poroto, and Songwe...
- Sagara
- Sandawe
- Sangu
- SegejuSegejuThe Segeju are an ethnic and linguistic group based on the northeast coast of Tanzania, between Tanga and the Kenyan border. The people are historically related to the Dhaiso. In 2003 the Segeju population was estimated to number fewer than 15,000, with fewer than 7,000 speaking the Segeju...
- ShambaaShambaaThe Shambaa are an ethnic and linguistic group based in the Usambara Mountains of northeastern Tanzania...
- ShiraziShirazi (ethnic group)The Shirazi are a sub-group of the Swahili people living on the Swahili Coast of East Africa, especially on the islands of Zanzibar, Pemba and Comoros. Local traditions about their origin claim they are descended from merchant princes from Shiraz in Persia who settled along the Swahili Coast....
- Shubi
- SizakiSizakiThe Sizaki are an ethnic and linguistic group based in north-western Tanzania, near Lake Victoria. In 1987 the Sizaki population was estimated to number 82,000 ....
- SubaSuba (Tanzania)The Suba of Tanzania are a community of people in Tarime District, Mara Region, Tanzania speaking mutually intelligible varieties of the Suba language. They are mainly located in Nyancha, Luo-Imbo and Suba Divisions of Tarime District. The groups commonly listed as being part of the Suba community...
- SukumaSukumaThe Sukuma is the largest ethnic group in Tanzania, with an estimated 5.5 million members representing about 16 percent of the country's total population. Sukuma means "north" and refers to "people of the north"...
- SumbwaSumbwaThe Sumbwa are an ethnic and linguistic group based in the Bukombe District, Shinyanga Region in central Tanzania. In 1987 the Sumbwa population was estimated to number 191,000 .-References:...
- SwahiliSwahili peopleThe Swahili people are a Bantu ethnic group and culture found in East Africa, mainly in the coastal regions and the islands of Kenya, Tanzania and north Mozambique. According to JoshuaProject, the Swahili number in at around 1,328,000. The name Swahili is derived from the Arabic word Sawahil,...
- Temi
- TongweTongweThe Tongwe are an ethnic and linguistic group based in Kigoma District, on the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika in western Tanzania. In 2000 the Tongwe population was estimated to number 31,551 ....
- Tumbuka
- VidundaVidundaThe Vidunda are a matrilineal ethnic and linguistic group based in east-central Tanzania. In 1987 the Vidunda population was estimated to number 32,000 ....
- VinzaVinzaThe Vinza are an ethnic and linguistic group based in north-western Tanzania. In 1987 the Vinza population was estimated to number 10,000 ....
- WandaWanda (ethnic group)The Wanda are an ethnic and linguistic group based in southwestern Tanzania. The Wanda population was estimated to be 24,000 in 1987, having increased from 5,745 in 1931, 7,677 in 1948, and 9,477 in 1957.-Language:...
- WanjiWanjiThe Wanji are an ethnic and linguistic group based in Makete District, in the Kipengere Mountains of Iringa Region in southern Tanzania. In 2003 the Wanji population was estimated to number 28,000 ....
- WareWare (ethnic group)The Ware were a Bantu ethnic/ linguistic group in Tanzania. They are believed to have become extinct. Around 1900, they were still living on an island in the Eastern part of Lake Victoria. According to Maho & Sands , their language has died out as mentioned by Sommer...
- YaoYao (ethnic group in Africa)The Yao people, Wayao, are a major ethnic and linguistic group based at the southern end of Lake Malawi, which played an important part in the history of East Africa during the 19th century. The Yao are a predominantly Muslim people group of about 2 million spread over three countries, Malawi,...
- Zanaki
- ZaramoZaramoThe Zaramo are a Bantu people who are based in eastern Tanzania, particularly in the area around Dar es Salaam, the Pugu Hills, and Bagamoyo. In 2000 the Zaramo population was estimated to number 656,730.-References:*...
- ZigulaZigulaThe Zigua are an ethnic and linguistic group based near the Indian Ocean coast between Dar es Salaam and Tanga in Tanzania. In 1993 the Zigua population was estimated to number 355,000....
- ZinzaZinzaThe Zinza are an ethnic and linguistic group based on the southwest shore of Lake Victoria and neighboring islands in Tanzania. In 1987 the Zinza population was estimated to number 138,000 .-References:...
- ZyobaZyobaThe Zyoba are an ethnic and linguistic group based near Lake Tanganyika in Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo who speak the Joba language....