Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post provides information about the Chagga people of Tanzania, East Africa.
This post also showcases a YouTube video of a Chagga song that is performed by Sheela Sheena Langeberg, a multi-talented Tanzanian/Australian artist. Information about Sheela Sheena Langeberg is also included in this post.
****
The content of this post is presented for educational, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to Sheela Sheena Langeberg for her cultural accomplishments.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE CHAGGA PEOPLE OF TANZANIA, EAST AFRICA
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaga_people
"The Chaga (also called Wachaga, Chagga, Jagga, Dschagga, Waschagga, or Wachagga) are Bantu-speaking indigenous Africans and the third largest ethnic group in Tanzania.[1] They traditionally live on the southern and eastern slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru[2] and near Moshi…. They were one of the first tribes in the area to convert to Christianity. This may have given them an economic advantage over other ethnic groups, as they had better access to education and health care as Christians.
The Chaga descended from various Bantu groups who migrated from elsewhere in Africa to the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, a migration that began around the start of the eleventh century.
[...]
Although the Chaga are principally located on Mount Kilimanjaro in northern Tanzania, numerous families have migrated elsewhere over the course of the twentieth century.
[...]
Early religion
Before the arrival of Christianity, the Chaga practiced a diverse range of faith with a thoroughgoing syncretism.[3] The importance of ancestors is strongly maintained by them to this day. The name of the chief Chaga deity is Ruwa who resides on the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, which is sacred to them. Parts of the high forest contain old shrines with masale plantings, the sacred Chaga plant.[4]
[…]
Chaga suprime council during Colonial Era
Chaga chieftainship appears to have been very specific with no influence from early ancestors, according to western observations done in the nineteenth century. Interestingly, in the nearby north Pare Mountains area of Ugweno, the chieftainship system appears similar. However, in the south Pare Mountains, the old clan chieftainship of the Mashariki continued to be the ritual center of life among the early Asu and remained so, in fact, down through the nineteenth century. But among the ancestral Chaga of north Pare and among their descendants who settled around Mount Kilimanjaro, a new kind of chiefship, Mangi, probably originally meaning "the arranger, planner" came into being not much before 1000 AD.
Economics, politics and Mangi rule
The current Chaga population is estimated at about 2 million. The Chagas are arguably one of the most economically successful people in East Africa. Unlike many societies in Africa, the Chaga women take the forefront positions of the Chaga society; from economical issues, to education. Chaga women stimulate a large part of the economical progressions in northern Tanzania.[5][6] The Mangi were great chiefs that governed largely clan-based states and controlled Chaga affairs even during colonial times. Although Mangis are not as prevalent at the present, the term 'Mangi' still rules and stands as the most respectable identity to most young and adult Chaga men.
Cultural heritage
Traditional Chaga instruments include wooden flutes, bells, and drums. Dancing and singing are part of almost every celebration. Classical Chagan music is still heard in festivities; however, Chagan youth have also embraced Kiswahili songs produced by various Tanzanian bands and west and central African music and dance forms. Reggae, pop, and rap are popular with the youth. Many musicians of Chaga origin are known around Africa.[citation needed]
The first Chaga historian was Nathaniel Mtui, who was born in 1892 and wrote nine books about the history of the Chaga from 1913-1916.[4]
Folklore
Chaga legends center on Ruwa and his power and assistance. Ruwa is the Chaga name for their god, as well as the Chaga word for "sun." Ruwa is not looked upon as the creator of humankind, but rather as a liberator and provider of sustenance. He is known for his mercy and tolerance when sought by his people. Some Chaga myths concerning Ruwa resemble biblical stories of the Old Testament”…
-snip-
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaga_languagesM
"Chaga, also Kichaga or Kichagga, is a Bantu dialect continuum spoken by the Chaga people of northern Tanzania, south of Mount Kilimanjaro."...
****
INFORMATION ABOUT SHEELA SHEENA LANGEBERG
From http://www.celebrateafricanaustralians.org/ Celebration of African Australians Award Event 2012
"[...]
Sheela Langeberg
Sheela is an internationally renowned and multi-award winning artist. Sheela Langeberg is one of the most influential and written about Africans in Australia today, as well as one of its most prized artistic and cultural treasures.".
****
From https://www.facebook.com/SheelaLangeberg/
[Sheela Sheena Langeberg is a] "Short Film Producer, Director, Playwright, Author, Songwriter"
-snip-
A 2016 article* about a women's drumming workshop conducted by Sheela Sheena Langeberg contained this information:
Sheela Sheena Langeberg is a Tanzanian-born Australian who has called Adelaide, Australia her home for the past 25 years.
*http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/tanzanianborn-australian-sheela-sheena-langeberg-to-host-a-womenonly-drumming-workshop-in-adelaide/news-story/b5ed46f2b4696b11cd639b3ed2355379
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO: Blue Rain - Shy Kiss
Sheela Sheena Langeberg, Published on Nov 29, 2011
A Teasing Song in the Beautiful Chagga Language, in the disappearing "Uru Ascent") spoken in West Kilimanjaro Region-Tanzania
Song & Video by APAI and Sheela Sheena Langeberg
"Shy Kiss" from the album Blue Rain, 2011 [by Sheela Sheena Langeberg]
-snip-
SHY KISS
(Sheela Sheena Langeberg)
[English subtitles* that appear in this song's YouTube video]
I give you tenderness
I give you my smile
I give you my song
Which is part of me
I’ll platt my hair
dye my lips with henna
paint my eyes with coal
And put on my short skirt
I give you my tenderness
I give you my smile
I give you my dance
I give you....
“Shy Kiss”
I give you tenderness
I give you my smile
I give you my song
Which is part of me
I’ll platt my hair
dye my lips with henna
paint my eyes with coal
And put on my short skirt
I give you my tenderness
I give you my smile
I give you my dance
I give you....
“Shy Kiss”
-snip-
These lyrics are written as they are found in those subtitles, including ellipses.
-snip-
The photo in the video for the words “Shy Kiss” shows a liquor bottle. Google search of “shy kiss Liquor” yielded this result:
https://www.kissofire.com.au/
Kissofire is an Australian family owned and operated company established in idyllic Hunter Valley. All of KissOfire’s liqueurs are handmade, unique and delicious.”
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
No comments:
Post a Comment