Mennonites in Tanzania, 1980s Mennonite Encyclopedia, v. 5, p. 872.

Formerly known as Tanganyika, Tanzania is located in East Africa along the Indian Ocean and is bounded to the north by Kenya and Uganda, to the west by Rwanda, Burundi, and Zaire, and to the south by Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique. Its topography includes Africa's highest peak (Kilimanjaro), Africa's largest lake (Victoria [Nyanza]), and Africa's deepest and longest lake (Tanganyika). The Great Rift Valley bisects the nation from north to south. The climate is low-latitude wet and dry, with heavy rains from March to May, a dry season from June to October, short rains from November to December, and a short dry season in January and February. The natural vegetation is savanna grassland with scattered thorn forest. Several national parks with wild animals have been established.

The people, comprising more than 120 tribes, are mostly Bantu. There are also Nilo-Hamites (e.g., the Masai and Luo), a few groups related to Khoisan of southern Africa, and some Asian and European peoples. In 1978 the population was 17 million. In 2005, its population was estimated at about 37 million.

From the 12th to the 15th centuries the Arabs had a flourishing trade on the east coast. The Portuguese in the 16th century ravaged the main port city Kilwa and other coastal cities, but the Arabs continued the slave trade from Bagamoyo. In the 19th century two German missionary explorers, Krapf and Rebmann, gave Germany a basis for its claim to Tanganyika. Great Britain recognized this claim in return for Zanzibar and Heligoland. After World I the territory was mandated to Great Britain under the League of Nations. After World War II it became a trust territory under United Nations.

Julius Nyerere launched the movement for independence in 1954; in 1961 he became the nation's first prime minister. In 1963 he was chosen as president of the republic. In 1964 Tanganyika united with the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba to form the new nation Tanzania. It is a one-party state with a parliamentary form of government. Nyerere, a Christian from the mainland, was head of government, 1961-1987. He was succeeded by Mwinyi, a Muslim from Zanzibar.

The capital was transferred from Dar es Salaam inland to Dodoma. The socialist economy was being relaxed in the 1980s to allow for more private enterprise. In the 1980s Tanzania was one of the poorest nations in the world, but was determined to fend for itself. Its war with Uganda to drive Idi Amin from power (1978-1979) increased the poverty; shortages of fuel and basic supplies were commonplace. The government changed its socialist policies beginning in 1986 and devalued its currency. It has depended on sisal, coffee, cotton, tea, gold, diamonds, and tourism for income. In spite of poverty Tanzania had the highest literacy rate in Black Africa. Universal primary education was undertaken in 1977 and adult literacy programs helped increase literacy to over 50 percent.

Mennonite mission efforts date from 1934, and resulted in the Kanisa la Mennonite Tanzania (Tanzania Mennonite Church) whose autonomy was recognized in 1960. After the church received government recognition, the mission was dissolved. Lancaster Mennonite Conference (MC) and its mission board (Eastern Mennonite Board of Missions and Charities) now related directly to the Tanzania church assisting with limited personnel and finance. In 1961 Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) established its Teachers Abroad Program in Tanganyika, providing teachers in schools managed by government and other denominations. The MCC program has been enlarged to include medical and community development personnel.

See also Kanisa la Mennonite Tanzania; Kenya Mennonite Church. 

Bibliography

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Scottdale, Pennsylvania, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 5, pp. 871-873. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

©1996-2008 by the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. All rights reserved.

To cite this page: