The Sukuma

Sukuma background

The Sukuma (People in the North) tribe is the largest of Tanzania’s more than 120 different ethnic groups. Close to 15% of the population in Tanzania are from the Sukuma tribe. They live around Mwanza and the southern Lake Victoria region.

For much of their history the Sukuma´s were loosely organised into numerous Bantu^*)-speaking subgroups; it is only recently that they have come to view themselves as a single entity

Their ancestors are believed to have migrated into Tanzania from present-day Uganda, beginning about 17^th century. The Sukuma are closely related to the Nyamwezi, Tanzania’s second largest ethnic group, centred in the Tabora region.

Most Sukuma´s are farmers and their lands comprise one of Tanzania’s most important agricultural arrears. Cattle are also an important source of livelihood.

The Sukuma´s traditionally had a highly developed and structured form of village organisation in which each settlement is subdivided into chiefdoms ruled by a chief in collaboration with a group of elders.

Village committees consisting of similarly aged members from each family in the village decide divisions of land and labour.
These age-based groups, each with its own leader, perform numerous roles ranging from assisting with the building of new houses to farming and other community oriented work.

This system gives most families at least a representational role in many village activities. As a result, houses and land are often viewed as communal property among the Sukuma´s.

If you’re interested in learning more about Sukuma culture, visit the Bujora Cultural Centre just 16 km east of Mwanza off the Musoma road.

Bujora Cultural Centre, P.O. Box 76, Mwanza
Phone 0754 772439 or 0748 592172 , +255 754 772439 or +255 748 592172

General or further details: info@mwanza-guide.com About the site: webmaster@mwanza-guide.com Mwanza Guide is owned by: Mwanza Guide Online, P.O. Box 10738, Mwanza Tanzania.

	The *Sukuma* (People in the North) tribe is the largest of Tanzania’s more than 120 different ethnic groups. Close to 15% of the population in Tanzania are from the Sukuma tribe. They live around Mwanza and the southern Lake Victoria region.
	For much of their history the Sukuma´s were loosely organised into numerous Bantu^*)-speaking subgroups; it is only recently that they have come to view themselves as a single entity
	Their ancestors are believed to have migrated into Tanzania from present-day Uganda, beginning about 17^th century. The Sukuma are closely related to the Nyamwezi, Tanzania’s second largest ethnic group, centred in the Tabora region.
	Most Sukuma´s are farmers and their lands comprise one of Tanzania’s most important agricultural arrears. Cattle are also an important source of livelihood.
	The Sukuma´s traditionally had a highly developed and structured form of village organisation in which each settlement is subdivided into chiefdoms ruled by a chief in collaboration with a group of elders. Village committees consisting of similarly aged members from each family in the village decide divisions of land and labour. These age-based groups, each with its own leader, perform numerous roles ranging from assisting with the building of new houses to farming and other community oriented work.
	This system gives most families at least a representational role in many village activities. As a result, houses and land are often viewed as communal property among the Sukuma´s.
	If you’re interested in learning more about Sukuma culture, visit the Bujora Cultural Centre just 16 km east of Mwanza off the Musoma road.
	Bujora Cultural Centre, P.O. Box 76, Mwanza Phone 0754 772439 or 0748 592172 , +255 754 772439 or +255 748 592172

	General or further details: info@mwanza-guide.com About the site: webmaster@mwanza-guide.com Mwanza Guide is owned by: Mwanza Guide Online, P.O. Box 10738, Mwanza Tanzania.