Tanzania Culture
Social Conventions
Saying “jambo” (hello) and shaking hands are the most common forms of greeting in Tanzania and shaking hands is considered very important to social etiquette. It is important to remember that the right hand is used for eating because the left hand is used when going to the bathroom. Therefore, when passing items or accepting items, it should also be done with the right hand.
Tanzanian people put great value in food and more importantly, in the cooks who make it. It is considered very rude to smell the food as this suggests that the food is bad and also suggests that the cook is bad too. Guests should always take a small portion of food even if they aren’t hungry.
Respect for elders is very important in Tanzanian culture as it is believed that the older one is, the more knowledgable they are.
Language
Kiswahili (also known as Swahili) and English are the official languages of Tanzania. Arabic is also spoken.
Note: Swahili usually refers to the people while Kiswahili refers to the language.
Religion
Between 40-45% of the population are Christian in Tanzania. Another 35-40% are Muslim and most of the Muslim population live on the coast and on the islands. Sikhism and Hinduism have minority followings while some members of the population still follow traditional beliefs.
Tanzania Travel Information
At Goway we believe that a well-informed traveller is a safer traveller. With this in mind, we have compiled an easy-to-navigate travel information section dedicated to Tanzania.
Learn about the history and culture of Tanzania, the must-try food and drink, and what to pack in your suitcase. Read about Tanzania's nature and wildlife, weather and geography, along with 'Country Quickfacts' compiled by our travel experts. Our globetrotting tips, as well as our visa and health information, will help ensure you're properly prepared for a safe and enjoyable trip. The only way you could possibly learn more is by embarking on your journey and discovering Tanzania for yourself. Start exploring… book one of our Tanzania safaris today!
Extend Your Trip
After your African Safari, why not consider one of Goway's Europe tours or Egypt tours en route from Tanzania or perhaps a stopover in Dubai on one of our United Arab Emirates tours
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