Tanzania Culture & Tradition: What to Know Before You Go

By Andrew Lewis on 15 Sep 2023


Situated in East Africa, Tanzania is a vibrant melting pot of Indigenous, Middle Eastern, Indian, and European cultural influences. With hundreds of cultural groups and religions coexisting here, travelers should learn about local etiquette and customs to avoid causing offense—unintentional as it may be—to their Tanzanian hosts.

As travelers, respecting local customs and traditions is key to avoid upsetting, offending, or disrespecting locals. This guide covers all the essentials—the cultural and traditional nuances and differences—you’ll need to know as a traveler visiting Tanzania.


 

Tanzania Languages and Greetings

With hundreds of different ethnic groups calling Tanzania home, 125 different languages are spoken around Tanzania, though Swahili is the main national language.

As a major destination for African safaris and game-viewing in national parks and game reserves, like Serengeti National Park, English is widely spoken throughout the tourism industry—at hotels and tourist attractions, on guided tours, and in major cities.

Outside of big cities and tourism hubs, however, in rural areas and remote villages, English isn’t widely spoken. It’s a good idea to learn some basic Swahili words and phrases to ease communication, as well as be polite and respectful to locals. Here are some beginner phrases and words in Swahili to use during your travels around Tanzania:

  • Hello – Habari or Jambo
  • Please – Tafadhali
  • Thank you – Asante
  • Yes – Ndio
  • No – Hapana
  • How are you? – U hali gani?
  • My name is… – Jina langu ni (insert name here)
  • How much is this? – Ni ngapi?
  • Where is the bathroom? – Bafu iko wapi?

Greetings

The most common way to greet people in Tanzania is by saying “Jambo” and shaking their right hand with your right hand. (In Tanzania culture, the left hand is used when going to the bathroom, while the right hand is used for eating and is therefore cleaner.) Long handshakes signify friendship or a strong bond, so don’t be surprised if the handshake goes on longer than expected. It’s important to greet everyone in a group, not just the host, to avoid being rude.

Elders are greatly respected and admired here, so when greeting older people, say “shikamoo.” This phrase, which translates to “I hold your feet”, is a sign of respect and reverence. In turn, the older person will reply “marhaba,” which means “I acknowledge or accept your respect.” When greeting and shaking hands with elders, you should also hold your right elbow with your left hand while bowing slightly for an extra show of respect.

Above all, Tanzanian greetings aren’t to be rushed. Small talk and asking about each other’s health, family, and how their day is going is polite and expected.

Addressing Others

The greeting process in Tanzania is more important than honorifics, so it’s important to follow these social protocols. One exception is when addressing elders, where an older woman is called “mama” and an older man is referred to as “mzee“, “baba“, or “bwana.”

Indigenous Cultures in Tanzania

Tanzania is home to more than 120 ethnic groups, and most ethnic groups have their own distinct culture, traditions, and customs. The three biggest tribes are the Maasai, Wanyakyusa, and Chagga. For safari-goers in northern Tanzania, the main Indigenous group you’re likely to meet and encounter is the Maasai, as northern Tanzania is their traditional homeland.

A major cultural presence in the region who remain stewards of the land, the Maasai work in cooperation with local safari camps and hotels to share their lifestyle with visitors. Many hotels and camps offer Maasai-themed experiences, like bush walks, where a Maasai guide will explain the significance of different plants and landscapes. Music and dance are also very important in Maasai culture.

Many places around Tanzania hold cultural or religious significance to native tribes, particularly the Maasai. As a nomadic tribe, the Maasai’s most sacred or important sites are natural landmarks, like mountains and kopjes (rocky hills). One of their most important sacred places is Ol Doinyo Lengai or “the Mountain of God,” a massive volcano in northern Tanzania, where tribal members go to pray and make sacrifices of sheep to the mountain’s god. As such, it’s a pilgrimage destination for members of the Maasai tribe.

Religion in Tanzania

Apart from its many Indigenous groups, Christianity and Islam are major religions in Tanzania. You can find cathedrals and mosques in major cities like Dar es Salaam, as well as on the main island of Zanzibar in the Indian Ocean. Many mosques are off-limits to tourists or the non-Muslim population, however, so they’re not a major tourist attraction. But some, like the Great Mosque of Kilwa Kisiwani, are located in historic ruins that are open to visitors or outside viewing.

Tanzania Festivals and Holidays

Visiting Tanzania during important festivals and holidays is one of the best ways to meet locals, learn about cultural traditions and customs, and have a good time. As a multicultural country with many different Indigenous belief systems and religions coexisting, there are a fair amount of religious holidays here, including Christmas and Eid al-Adha.

Here are some of the biggest and best-known cultural and religious festivals and holidays that take place in Tanzania.

Union Day

Marked by parades, parties, and decorations, Union Day on April 26 is a countrywide celebration commemorating the formation of the United Republic of Tanzania.

Independence Day

Taking place on December 9 every year, Independence Day celebrates Tanzania’s independence from British rule in 1961. Throughout the country, parades and festivities are a big source of national pride, marking the struggle for sovereignty led by the Tanganyika African National Union.

Bargaining and Haggling in Tanzania

Bargaining and haggling are common practices in markets and street stalls around Tanzania. Street vendors or touts inflate prices when it comes to foreigners, so the rate you may be initially offered is likely higher than the standard. It’s fine to haggle and bring the price down a bit, but don’t go too low or argue too much. Tourist dollars are much needed here, so overpaying by a few Tanzanian shillings shouldn’t be too big a deal.

Here are some protocols to keep in mind to be polite and respectful while bartering in Tanzania:

  • Stroll around the market first to get a sense of the price range for different items and see where some sellers may be overcharging.
  • Visit multiple booths or stalls to compare prices; don’t just go with the first place you see.
  • Learn some words and phrases in Swahili to impress the seller.
  • Be friendly and polite.
  • Most prices you’ll be offered are already inflated, so even if you haggle down the price, it’ll likely still be close to the standard going rate.
  • Based on the seller’s initial offer, you can counter with 50% to 75% less to start negotiations.
  • If a tout or seller is being too aggressive or won’t accept no, simply say “hapana asante”—which means “no, thank you” in Swahili—and leave.
  • Don’t worry if you can’t get the price as low as you’d like. With the conversion rate, it’s likely only a small amount.

You should also barter for taxi rides, as cab drivers will sometimes double-charge unsuspecting tourists.

Tanzanian Etiquette for Travelers

From how to dress to the proper way to eat, these etiquette rules and guidelines will help you better respect Tanzanian culture and traditions.

Religious Sites Etiquette in Tanzania

Most visitors come to Tanzania to go on safari and spend time out in nature, so religious tourism and visiting mosques or cathedrals is not a big market. However, if you do want to visit a religious site, follow any posted signage and be respectful of those using the space. In some cases, mosques may even be off-limits to visitors or non-Muslims.

Dining Etiquette in Tanzania

The kind of food you’ll eat in Tanzania depends on whether you’re on mainland Tanzania or in the Zanzibar archipelago.

Along the east coast of Tanzania and in Zanzibar, seafood plays a key role in the local cuisine, and typically also uses some of the many spice varieties grown on Zanzibar. On the mainland, dishes tend to revolve more around meat and rice, with staple dishes like mchemsho (a stew-like meal of meat and vegetables) or chipsi mayai, a popular street food made of fries and eggs.

From its seat on the East African coast, Tanzanian cuisine has also been influenced by trade with nearby countries and regions, like the Middle East and India, so it’s not uncommon to encounter Middle Eastern fare or Indian curries on the menu.

Here’s some dining etiquette to know before diving into Tanzanian cuisine:

  • In Tanzania, sniffing food is considered rude and should be avoided.
  • When offered food and drink in someone’s home, it’s considered disrespectful to refuse it.
  • Instead of using utensils, you’ll likely use ugali, a dough-like cornmeal dish, to scoop up other dishes.
  • Always eat with your right hand, never your left. In Tanzania, the left hand is associated with bathroom activities, so you should avoid using it for things like eating or shaking hands.
  • Tipping in restaurants is not required or expected, but it is welcome and appreciated. A small amount (around 10% of the bill) is usually sufficient.

How to Dress in Tanzania

Tanzania is a conservative country, so you should opt to dress conservatively as well. Both men and women should wear full-coverage clothing, covering shoulders, chests, and legs. Women can wear long pants as long as they’re not too form-fitting.

There’s a bit more flexibility for dress code in Zanzibar as it’s a major beach-resort destination. While you can wear swimsuits, shorts, and other revealing attire to the beaches, you should bring cover-ups when exploring elsewhere on the islands, like going into towns or cities.

Sports in Tanzania

Soccer (football) is Tanzania’s most popular sport, with baseball and basketball developing bigger fan bases and boxing and cricket also popular. Tanzania is world-renowned for the caliber of its runners as well, and the country hosts major annual marathons, like the Kilimanjaro Marathon and the Serengeti Marathon.

There’s also been a cultural resurgence of supporting Indigenous games, such as bao (a board game) and traditional wrestling.

Other Essential Tips

Here are some other important things to keep in mind during your Tanzania travels.

  • Personal space: Don’t be surprised at long handshakes or frequent touches on the arm or shoulder, as physical contact is a part of Tanzanian culture.
  • Public displays of affection: As this is a conservative country, it’s best to avoid kissing, hugging, or other overt public displays of affection with your partner. Even though it’s a popular honeymoon destination, this also applies in Zanzibar.
  • Taking photos: Always ask permission before taking photographs, especially of tribal members.
  • Punctuality: Tanzanians are not very strict about punctuality, so don’t stress if you’re running slightly late for something

Prepare for Your Tanzania Trip

Obtaining a visa is an essential part of planning your trip. At Entriva, we can easily and efficiently help you with every aspect of getting a Tanzanian visa. Start your visa application process.

For more information on other aspects of travel to Tanzania, including banking and money, local laws, and airport transportation, visit our Tanzania content hub.