The Hadza, or Hadzabe (Wahadzabe, in Swahili), are a protected hunter-gatherer Tanzanian Indigenous ethnic group primarily based in Baray, an administrative ward within Karatu District in southwest Arusha Region. They live around the Lake Eyasi basin in the central Rift Valley and the neighbouring Serengeti Plateau, and we met them.
We were staying at Kisima Ngeda on the banks of Lake Eyasi. Our guide for the day was Frank, a 23-year-old who lived with the Hadzebe tribe for three years from the age of 11.
He also knew how to speak the unique Hadzebe language which is not based on any other known language. It consists of clicking sounds.
We joined a group from the tribe as they prepared bows and arrows, along with their pack of dogs.
These people are foragers and hunters.
We joined them as they hunted, then spent time with them as they taught us how to make fire from a wooden stick, challenged us to shoot arrows from their rudimentary bows, and then danced with them.
We then visited the Datooga Tribe, a Nilotic ethnic people group from Tanzania, located in the Karatu District of the Arusha Region and historically in areas of the southwest Manyara Region and northern Singida Region.
The Datooga people are described as blacksmiths. As we saw being demonstrated, they make arrows that they sell to the Hadzebe.
This part of our trip was so interesting. The people, the language and their simple way of life were humbling.
As I looked at the bracelets they had made and displayed, one of the tribeswomen carefully placed many bracelets on my wrist while gently holding my hand. She didn’t speak; her eyes were gentle and accepting of her way of life.
