TANZANIA CULTURAL TOURS.
At Issy Adventures, we believe the cultural diversity of Tanzania is one of its greatest strengths. By meeting and
understanding people whose views and values are very different from your own, you acquire new insights and perspectives
that change your attitudes towards them, towards yourself and towards the entire world. This new depth of perception and
wisdom opens new horizons, opportunities and flexibility in your future life choices. You may travel to Africa to learn
more about her wildlife, but through her people, you will learn more about yourself. This may well be a most valuable
and lasting aspect of your safari of the tribal people of Tanzania. There are more than 120 different ethnic groups in
Tanzania that have migrated over many centuries: pastoralist Nilotic from the Sudan, nomadic, cattle-herding Cushites
from Ethiopia, hunter-gatherer Khoisan from the Kalahari, agriculturalist metal-working Bantu from West Africa, and
Arabian, Indian and Anglo immigrants. All these groups displaced, conquered or assimilated each other over thousands of
years to form the present Tanzanian population. Each of these groups had differentiated traditional religions, social
practices, rituals, customs, art, music and dance.
The tribal communities of Tanzania wish to preserve and protect its individual identity and to pass on to its children
the values that have preserved it throughout generations. Many levels of experience are available on a cultural tour of
Africa, in many different communities, from visiting carefully restored historical sites and settlements to staying in
venues designed to represent tribal and colonial fantasies, or spending time on real-time projects where ethnic skills
and crafts are recycled in the context of our shared, everyday world. Spiritual and life-affirming encounters benefit
visitors on an awakening tour in Eastern Africa, and local communities in a mutually uplifting shared time. Williamson
Adventures can help you plan the best possible outcome of the meeting of different worlds at the level of culturally
aware interaction and authenticity you desire, in collaboration with diverse local tribes for a sensitive, mutually
respectful, and rewarding Tanzanian ethnic vacation experience. Visit Tanzania with Williamson Adventures to enlighten
yourself with the greater world beyond your comfort zone.
Maasai Tribe
According to oral history, the Maasai people are a fusion of North Africans and Nilotic tribe originating from the
northern part of Turkana lake in Kenya, which they left in the 15th century, then moving south and into present day
Tanzania over 200 years ago, when they displaced other tribes in order to claim rich pastureland for their cattle. A
race in which warriors were the highest class and their religion claimed all cattle as theirs by gift of God, they
righteously annexed all the cows they encountered. A proud, charming, friendly and intelligent community, there are now
a million Maasai living in the homelands of Tanzania and Kenya. Much of their tribal land has been absorbed into the
National Parks in return for promises of cultural security and community wellbeing in surrounding reserves which have
not always been kept.
In accommodating the inevitable, some have embraced the Tanzanian tourist industry, becoming the guides, guards, staff
and management of many of the new eco-tourist centers and cooperating in the conservation of the wildlife that attract
their clientele. Some own the land, camps, and lodges whilst others initiate self-help projects to supply foodstuffs,
furniture, curios and craft items in return for assistance with education, health and community development. They also
present their cultural heritage as a valuable commodity. This can be done in a superficial way, as ethnic entertainment,
