The Datoga tribe in Tanzania
The Datoga tribe in Tanzania are a semi nomadic and pastoralist tribe of Tanzania who live in the northern part of Tanzania around the Manyara region.
Datoga are also a Nilotic group of people and they live around Lake Eyasi as well as in the semi-arid areas of Tanzania. They also live around Mount Hanang which is the 4th highest mountain of Tanzania at 3,420 meters and is located in the northern part of the country.
In Tanzania, different tribes such as the Maasai who are known for their unique culture have claimed that they are the oldest tribe of Tanzania and in the same way the Datoga refer to themselves as the oldest tribe of Tanzania.
Datoga are also warriors and to prove themselves, the young men kill the enemy of the people as a way of proving themselves. The “enemy of the people” includes people who are not Datoga and wild animals according to the Datoga.
Other people in Tanzania consider the Datoga as backward and a small percentage of the Datoga is illiterate. Apart from education, the Datoga have also resisted development and have low standards of hygiene.
The Datoga are also known as Barabaig and also Mangati which is a Maasai word that means enemy. The Barabaig are pastoralists and they live in the northern highlands around Mount Hanang.
History of the Datoga
The Datoga are believed to be highland southern nilotes who originated from southern Sudan or from the western Ethiopian highlands over 3000 years ago. They migrated to Kenya and Tanzania and they split into two groups and one group settled in Kenya and the Kalenjin people belong to this group.
The second group which migrated settled in Tanzania where the ancestors of the Datoga settled. Today, the Kalenjin and Datoga have some similarities since they are both southern nilotes.
In the 18th century, the Datoga were displaced by the Maasai and they moved to areas around Lake Manyara and Lake Eyasi. They also settled around Mount Oldeani after Tanzania got its independence.
Many other tribes later settled around the area of Magola after it was declared “Ujamaa” which forced the Datoga to move to the shores of Lake Eyasi where they currently live.
Culture and traditions of the Datoga
Markings on faces of the Datoga which are around the eyes are among the unique identifications of the Datoga.
The Datoga also have earlobes which are stretched and they also have markings which can be circular in shape. These markings are deep in the skin and they are a form of identifying someone from a family.
During the colonial rule, the markings on the faces of the Datoga people helped to avoid attention from the Germans who did not like people with scarred bodies. The markings can also be on the shoulders and on the face they are like masks.
Datoga women also have markings on their faces and shoulders which are sometimes carved deep into the skin to make the markings more visible.
Way of dressing of the Datoga
The Datoga dress in a way which is similar to the neighboring tribes such as the Maasai people. The way of dressing of the Datoga is inform of colors which are similar to the land in which they live.
The women among the Datoga wear jewelry and also traditional hides and the married women wear a garment which has thin leather strips. The jewelry is made from copper, beads or iron which is used to make necklaces, bracelets and earrings among others.
Economic structure
The Datoga keep livestock such as cattle, goats, sheep and donkeys and they feed on meat, milk, blood and apart from their livestock, they also feed on crops such as maize, beans and millet.
Among the plants which the Datoga grow include onions since they are farmers and they live a semi nomadic way of life. Another practice among the Datoga men is drinking honey beer on ritual occasions such as funerals.
Social structure
The Datoga practice polygamy and marry outside their clans and their society decisions are made by a council of elders who can impose fines and curses. They also have some similarities to the Maasai people. The more wealthy men among the Datoga marry more wives and have multiple households.
The 7 Datoga tribes include Bajuta, Gisamjanga, Barabayiiga, Tsimajeega, Rootigaanga, Buraadiiga and Bianjiida.
Among the Datoga, illegitimate children or children born outside marriage are considered clan less and there is also a high mortality rate among the Datoga. Children born outside marriage are considered the property of the mother’s father and are also considered vulnerable and disadvantaged.
Visiting the villages of the Datoga people is a unique experience during a safari around Tanzania which involves interacting with the locals and getting to know the way of life and culture of the Datoga people.
