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Salama Village, Magu, Mwanzawelcome to salama cultural heritage and handcrafts!
about us
Salama Cultural Heritage and Handcrafts is a Tanzanian-registered corporation dedicated to preserving the Sukuma people of Tanzania’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage, particularly those that are endangered. The program’s main objectives are to preserve, interpret, and promote Sukuma culture. It is situated in Salama village, Magu district, Mwanza, Tanzania, around 29 kilometres from Magu town and 101 kilometres from Ndabaka at the Serengeti National Park entrance.
what we do?
Our primary objectives are to practically preserve, interpret, and promote the material and intangible heritage assets of Sukuma culture. Salama Cultural Heritage and Handcrafts is a cutting-edge tool designed to preserve Sukuma’s tangible cultural heritage in digital form, protecting the invaluable historical, artistic, and architectural legacy of the Sukuma culture. Hence, we will explore all aspects of Sukuma culture as a cultural heritage.
If you were to visit the Sukuma community, what would you hope to see and hear?
Oral language and Literature
Sukuma is the native language spoken by most the Sukuma people. Traditional knowledge is reflected in oral literature, including sayings, poems, songs, riddles, proverbs, and stories. Folktales and traditional stories serve as a means of educating the community about values and history.
Customs and Traditions
The Sukuma people respect their elders and ancestors as a source of wisdom and guidance for their life. Marriage customs involve processes such as betrothal, dowry, and traditional ceremonies. The clan systems play a significant role in social life, with the clan dominating social and family roles. Funerals and memorial services are an important part of the culture including rituals.
Arts and Music
Traditional dances such as “Bugobogobo”, “Bunungule”, and “bhulabuka” are performed during ceremonies, traditional dance competition, and special occasions. The use of music instruments such as drum, flute, and traditional violin-Zeze are an important part of Sukuma art. Moreover, poems and songs are sung for work, love, ceremonies, and war.
Traditional medicine and beliefs
The Sukuma people have traditional healers known as “bafumu” who use herbs and rituals for healing.
There is a belief in the spirits and powers of ancestors where people ask for blessings or spiritual help. The use of traditional medicine has been an important part of community life.
Agriculture and Livestock
The Sukuma people are prominent farmers and pastoralists, cultivating cereal crops such as sorghum, maize, and rice, as well as cotton, cassava, beans, groundnuts, and some vegetables and fruits. Cattle raising is a symbol of wealth and respect in the community. Livestock is also used in rituals and ceremonies as a dowry.
Livestock farming will be one of the key interventions. As said, Cattle are symbol of wealth for the Sukuma people. Apart from different usage, Livestock is the source of income. It can be used a plow; plows pulled by oxen are common during cultivation.
Traditional Clothing
The Sukuma women wear “vitenge” or “khanga” and adorn themselves with traditional ornaments such as beads. Men used to wear animal skins in the past but now they wear modern clothing while retaining some traditional clothing for special occasions.
Traditional leadership
Traditional Cuisine
Traditional Carving and Crafts
The sukuma people carve figurines, weave baskets, and make pottery for domestic and decorative use. There is also the manufacture of agricultural tools such as hoes and spears using iron.
Sport and Recreation
There are traditional games such as “Nhega” [a game of throwing stones] and bullock carting. Healers and medicine men use snakes and porcupines for entrainment.
Events
Community engagement
Do you wish to learn more about the history and culture of Sukuma, or are you more interested in the local cultural heritage? An excellent starting point is the Salama Culture Heritage and Handcrafts center in Salama village.
You will be given a chance to live and stay with the locals while taking part in community events that follow the Sukuma people’s annual cycle. Some would like to take part in traditional marriage “Bukombe”, farming, cattle grazing, harvesting, learning traditional dances, and food sharing/cooking.
Food tour
You will get to taste the traditional food that the local people do prepare. The traditional food is organized among the community members, restaurant facilities, and gift shops.
Tour on Serengeti National Park
While in Salama village, you can spend an hour travelling to the entrance gate of Serengeti National Park-Ndabaka.We would like to encourage and provide such opportunities for those interested. Tour guides are available for visitors.
AGRICULTURAL & LIVESTOCK
Agriculture and livestock keeping is t It was established in 2024 and is tasked with conserving cultural assets that are both movable and immovable, such as traditional dances and medicine.
With a mission to acquire, protect, conserve, and document Sukuma’s cultural heritage, Salama is committed to fostering research, education, and public engagement through traditional dance festivals, competition, and entertainment.