Home > Chagga

They are known as the Jews of Tanzania as many are wealthy have good businesses and are in Government. Many have become well educated and now live away from Kilimanjaro but have built their "retirement" home on the mountain. Many would say that the biggest income for Tanzania is the money sent in from abroad by Chaggas who have gained good jobs and honour the family tradition by looking after the "clan". They are wonderful business people. They are also very friendly and welcoming. Their villages around Kilimanjaro are very large because each family have a plot of land called their Shamba. There are no streets of houses as in Europe. Walking around Njaro is like walking though a farm of banana trees and coffee along dirt tracks. The Chagga are wonderful farmers. They can grow five crops together on their shambas. Coffee, bananas, yams, beans and tomatoes. The Chagga are also famous for their "traditional brew" called Mbege. It is made from a special variety of bananas and millet. You will see people drink mbege in all the bars by sharing a calabash. You will be able to visit an Mbege bar in Njaro and watch it being made.