The original name of the Mangati is “Datoga,” which in Maasai language means “fierce enemy.” Like the Maasai, the Datoga practice polygamy, a common feature in their culture.
The Datoga live in houses they build themselves, using local materials such as sand, cow dung, and tree branches. These dwellings are simple and functional, adapted to the environment and their needs.
The tribe is known for its metal forging skills. They use fire to craft necklaces and bracelets, which are an important part of their clothing and personal adornments.
Due to their hunting skills, their main economic activity is livestock farming. They also practice agriculture, cultivating products such as corn and beans. Their diet is mainly based on meat, milk, and maize paste, with the addition of alcohol traditionally made from honey.
Although the national language of Tanzania is Swahili, only a small percentage of the Datoga population (around 5%) speaks this language. Within their community, they mainly communicate in their own dialects and indigenous languages.
Visitors have the opportunity to join in bow and arrow hunting, learning the traditional methods used by the Hadzabe to hunt and ensure their survival in a natural environment.
The Hadzabe live near Lake Eyasi, in a region of brackish land on the edge of the vast Serengeti plains and the Great Rift Valley. Their homes are temporary and simply built, adapted to the nomadic lifestyle of the tribe.
The Hadzabe are one of the last groups of hunter-gatherers in Africa, with an approximate population of 1,000 individuals. Of this population, less than half still maintain ancestral customs that date back to times before the development of agriculture.
The Hadzabe’s diet is primarily based on foraged foods, such as fruits, tubers, and roots, complemented by meat obtained from hunting. This subsistence system allows them to live independently in their natural environment.
The Datoga make metal tips for the arrows used by the Hadzabe to hunt small antelopes and other animals that serve as food, while the Hadzabe offer them part of the meat obtained. This collaboration is a clear example of the interaction between humans and wildlife, living in balance in the 21st century.
Visiting these tribes will give us the opportunity to learn about two tribes that have established a mutual exchange relationship.
During the visit, you will learn how to start a fire traditionally and have the chance to join them on one of their hunts.
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