Art in Tanzania internship program
RELIGION IN TANZANIA
The cohabitation of religions in Tanzania is a fascinating aspect of Tanzania’s culture. The country has a diverse range of religions and over 50 different ethnic tribes.
Although Christianity is the predominant religion in Tanzania, followed by Islam, the country also has followers of many other faiths, including Buddhism, Hinduism, and African traditional religions.
In the 14th century, Tanzania’s location on the East African coast was strategically important for Arab traders and slave traders. During the 15th century, German Christian missionaries were sent to Tanzania to expand Germany. Upon arrival, the Christians were chased away by local Muslims; Christianity came back in the 19th century, and the relationship between the two was hostile. Arabic arrived in Tanzania mainly for business in the slavery industry, to which Christians opposed themselves. Later, the slave trade was abolished. From this, the relationship between the two religious groups improved and has not been hostile. (1)
This relationship on Tanzania’s mainland is peaceful and civil. However, nowadays, Zanzibar Island comprises 99% of Muslim people (1). When Christian locals are travelling to Zanzibar and are not dressed according to Muslim beliefs, with skin on show, Muslim people speak negatively towards them, not aggressively or violently, but in a way that can make mainland locals feel uncomfortable.
“The government of Tanzania and the semiautonomous government of Zanzibar both recognize religious freedom as a principle and make efforts to protect it.” (3)
The presence of its different religions has shaped Tanzanian society. Arab Muslims have introduced Islam and the Swahili language. The Indigenous Spirituality people helped preserve Tanzanian traditions. Christian missionaries provided education and health care to the population, which helped develop the nation. Every religion is celebrated equally: “religious holidays such as Christmas, Easter, Eid-el-Fitr, and Prophet Mohammed’s birthday are all given equal emphasis.” (1)
Religion is not a big deal for people living on Tanzania’s mainland. People believe in the God they want, and everyone accepts it. Mosques can be pretty loud, but so can gospel churches. People are respectful of others’ beliefs: They see each other as human beings and don’t emphasise their different religious affiliations.
I talked with Ruth Mgalula and Hadija Mohammed, Christians and Muslims. These are some of the stories they shared with me to help me understand the coexistence of religions in Tanzania.
Ruth’s quote:
| When people are about to fight about religious issues, one of the two clans always stop it; people know it is going to end badly otherwise, and it’s not worth it |
| “People respect other people’s religion, but when it comes to marriage, sometimes, it’s more difficult. “I remember my friend was Christian, and she wanted to marry a Muslim guy. They didn’t tell their parents because they knew they would react badly. They got married to a government marriage. Soon after the parents found out, both sides were shocked and mad. A lot of fighting appeared, and they had to divorce.” It’s not like this in all families. When you introduce your partner to your family, the first fundamental question to ask is: What is your name? Where are you from? What religion are you from? |
A common practice when the two individuals are from different religions is to convert to the other’s faith. The thing is, when you change religion, you change a lot in your beliefs. People will notice that you change, and they may talk to you about it, but no more. People are letting others be.
Hadija’s quote
“All my family is Muslim; we believe in God, and my mom prays five times a day, as well as my sister.” Her other sister changed when she met this Christian man. Everyone was okay with it, except Hadija’s granddad. He was really against it. He felt like he was losing one of his grandkids. When you change religion, it is viewed as if you want to reach a higher level of religious perfection, which discredits your initial religion in your choice to change. Afterwards, it went fine. He was against it in words, never in a violent way.
| “When someone dies, Muslims can go to the church and attend a funeral; same with Christians. Everyone can befriend everyone, no distinction of religion.” |
Tanzania differs from other countries, particularly those on the East African coast. “The first president we had told us: there will be no war in this country.” Julius Nyerere served as Tanzania’s president for 30 years. He never installed a dictatorial regime. There is over 50 different tribes and many different religions. Everybody can believe in what they want and practice whatever religion they want, as long as it doesn’t break the government’s rules. “When we were seeking independence, Julius Nyerere went to one of the mosques in Bagamoyo, even if he is Christian, and prayed with Muslims all night for the country’s independence. It just shows that we have the same God. He said to us: we will not fight for independence; there will be no blood in our hands. We are going to achieve independence peacefully. Let’s pray to God together.”
Our first president created this strong belief: we are all related. Believe in whatever you want, but don’t break the constitution’s rules because they are the same as what the Quran and the Bible say: don’t kill because you will be punished.
____________________________________________
“Every neighbourhood is full of different religions, but everyone is there for others when something happens. Our differences have nothing to do with our religion or in whom we believe. We have weaknesses, and this is our biggest difference, whether we like it or not.”
– Hadija
Florence Dupuis
REFERENCES
(1) https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/religious-beliefs-in-tanzania.html
(2) https://www.sahistory.org.za/dated-event/tanzania-gains-independence
(3) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Tanzania
