The People
There are more than 120 distinct ethnic groups and tribes in Tanzania, each with its own language and cultural traditions. The Barabaig people are the ward’s largest tribal group. The Barabaig are a Nilotic people, meaning that their origins are in the Nile Valley. They speak a dialect of the Datooga language. The Barabaig are semi-nomadic pastoralists who have lived in the high plateau surrounding Mount Hanang for about 150 years. Prior to that they are thought to have been chased out of the Serengeti Plains by the Maasai, their traditional enemies. The name Barabaig refers to the knobbed stick which the men still carry.
In the 1980’s, in order to feed the country’s rapidly growing population, the Tanzanian government entered into a bi-lateral aid agreement with the Canadian government to establish large wheat farms on Barabaig land. As a result, the Barabaig were evicted from much of their traditional range. The loss of their land and grazing rights was accompanied by the destruction of sacred burial sites, beatings, rapes, fines, convictions and imprisonment for trespassing on land they view as belonging to them. Although their range is greatly restricted, the Barabaig still cling to a semi-nomadic lifestyle.
In the 1980’s, in order to feed the country’s rapidly growing population, the Tanzanian government entered into a bi-lateral aid agreement with the Canadian government to establish large wheat farms on Barabaig land. As a result, the Barabaig were evicted from much of their traditional range. The loss of their land and grazing rights was accompanied by the destruction of sacred burial sites, beatings, rapes, fines, convictions and imprisonment for trespassing on land they view as belonging to them. Although their range is greatly restricted, the Barabaig still cling to a semi-nomadic lifestyle.
Cattle are central to Barabaig life. They provide milk, meat and blood for sustenance, skins for clothing, horns as drinking vessels, dung for building and urine as a cleanser. Cattle are traded through sale or barter to obtain everything else the Barabaig need. Traditionally, the Barabaig did not grow crops, but they now cultivate maize, sorghum and beans. They also grow vegetables in gardens near their homesteads. Whatever is produced is consumed by the household that grows it. The Barabaig also herd sheep and goats, use donkeys and oxen as beasts of burden, and keep chickens, although they do not eat eggs.
As in most traditional societies, child labor is integral to the economic life of the community. Children tend flocks, are responsible for household chores, care for younger siblings, carry water, and work in the fields. Sending children to school presents an economic hardship to struggling families. This reality is a major contributor to high absenteeism rates. Even when children are enrolled, they may only go to school on days when they are not needed at home. Compulsory primary school education puts families in direct conflict with teachers and government officials who are mandated to enforce truancy laws.
As in most traditional societies, child labor is integral to the economic life of the community. Children tend flocks, are responsible for household chores, care for younger siblings, carry water, and work in the fields. Sending children to school presents an economic hardship to struggling families. This reality is a major contributor to high absenteeism rates. Even when children are enrolled, they may only go to school on days when they are not needed at home. Compulsory primary school education puts families in direct conflict with teachers and government officials who are mandated to enforce truancy laws.