UTAMADUNI Sura ya 7 (Culture Unit 7

Unit 7: The Educational System

School is a major part of the Swahili community development. Thus, a lot of emphasis is placed on elementary education that is considered a right for all the children. This, different institutions are engaged in the business of education. There are schools (for example Muslim schools and Christian schools) that are run by religious organizations. These have religious classes as central to the curriculum. Both Government and Muslim schools are usually free of tuition or have a nominal fee that can be used for field trips and extra curricular activities at school. Generally, Christian or other private schools charge a fee that support both academic and non-academic programs that are deemed necessary by the school.

For the most part, many of the teachers at the elementary schools are women. In some cases, the principal or the mathematics/science teachers are male. The explanation we were given for preferring female teachers at the Muslim pre-school that is featured in the video, was that at this stage of their lives, children need a mother figure to facilitate the transition from being at home and being at school, an unfamiliar environment with strangers. However, the choice of a male principal or math science teacher at the elementary school level is not so easy to justify and may be seen as a gender bias issue.

In Tanzania, elementary school covers K-7. There are national exams for fourth graders and seven graders. Only those who pass these exams are promoted to the next level (5^th and 9^th grade respectively, there is no 8^th grade). Fourth graders who do not pass the exam are allowed to repeat the same grade. However, those who do not pass the 7^th grade exam have to seek alternative ways to advance themselves that may include vocational schools or apprenticeships to develop technical skills. Those who are fortunate to pass the seventh grade exam are required to take another exam when they reach the 10^th grade and then the 12^th grade. While passing the 10^th grade guarantees a student completion of his/her secondary school (junior high), those who pass the 12^th grade continue on to two more years of high school and opens up a chance to go the university if they pass another terminal exam.

There are both public and private post-secondary institutions (universities, colleges, and vocational training centers). The numbers seem to be growing as the need and demand for higher education intensifies. A number of institutions that teach technology skills have grown over the last couple of years and these have opened up opportunities to young people who would otherwise be unable to continue with post-secondary education. Thus, education is no longer a privilege of a few but a necessary tool for a rapidly changing world.

Another point of cultural interest is the importance of wearing uniforms. All primary and secondary schools, whether of government, religious, or private nature, require that the students wear uniforms at school. In most cases, vocational schools also require uniforms. Uniforms bring uniformity among the students and thereby creating an environment that promotes a sense of equality and eliminates possible competition among students due to the class or economic status of their families. The end result is that students are less conscious of their appearance and devote their time to the development of their academic skills without the influence of their social class or status.

Unit 8: Geographical location

Geography provides a natural distinction between cultures. The culture of a Swahili speaker can be influenced by their geographical location. The culture of the Swahili speakers of the coast is greatly influenced by Islamic culture. As such, weddings, burial services, and naming practices may have cultural aspects associated with the Islamic religion. On the mainland, the culture of the Swahili speakers may be influenced by the culture of associated ethnic groups. For example, a wedding include Taarab music, traditional dances of a particular ethnic group, an assortment of foods from both coastal and mainland cultures. It is not, for example, uncommon to find a traditional wedding cake that is a whole roasted goat at a wedding in addition to a three or four tiered flour cake. It is also possible to find both locally brewed beer in addition to commercially brewed beer and other hard liquors.

The mixing of cultures is also clearly demonstrated in places where people eat. For example one can find foods like ugali (a maize flour dish), pilau (rice pilaf), mtori, (green banana soup), matoke (boiled green bananas/plantains), wali (boiled rice), biriani, kuku/ngombe masala (chicken/beef masala), samusa (samosa), chapati, vitumbua (rice cakes), mihogo (cassava/yucca), and maandazi (donuts) in any restaurant on the mainland or on the island. The only difference may be in finesse with the mainland showing a special expertise in those dishes that are common in the homes of the mainlanders. Likewise, restaurants on the coast bear out food preparation expertise that is particular to the costal people.

Unit 9: The transportation system

The mode of transportation in the three East African countries: In Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda reflects a strong influence from Britain, their former colonial power. It is unlikely that these three countries will change from driving on the right to driving on the left, a practice that some of the former British colonies like Nigeria, have already abandoned. Colonial legacy is also reflected in the status quo shown in the choice of mode of transportation, both within the urban areas and from the rural areas to the urban areas. In each of these countries, mass transit is largely by road and where necessary, by water. People travel from the rural areas to the urban areas, and vice versa, by bus and occasionally in small private cars.

In the cities, people go to work by bus or by personal cars, motorcycles, or bicycles. If they live close to work, they can walk. In Zanzibar, for example, many people walk to visit relatives and friends, to go to weddings and other festivals or to recreational parks. Kids who live in the Zanzibar city, walk to and from school. The same is true for many rural kids on the mainland. Some of the kids in the cities of mainland Tanzania can walk to school, but for the most part they take public transportation or take designated school buses. One can also see extensive use of bicycles on the island of Zanzibar but restricted to men. On the mainland, especially in the rural areas, particularly in the central part of Tanzania that have limited or no public transportation like buses or trucks make extensive use of bicycles. In these areas, both men and women ride bicycles but in general one would see more men than women riding bicycles and more walking to and from the farm, market, medical centers, or other social gatherings.

Although there are trains, the infra-structure is in the process of rehabilitation to promote efficiency and safety. Where trains are used on a regular basis, the status of the traveler is often defined by the choice and assignments on the train. For example, government officials as well as business men and women would travel in either first or second class.

Unit 10: Recreational activities

Recreational activities define a peoples culture. As the texts show, there are three main recreational activities: sports, dance, and food. These three aspects occupy a very important part of the speakers culture by showing how they differ from other nations of the world.

There are four main sports that identify the Swahili speakers: soccer (for men), netball (for women), basketball, and volleyball (for both men and women). Soccer is a sport that is watched by all people, young and old, men and women, and from all walks of life. Not only is the sport of national importance, but also one that shows great importance in both rural and urban areas. It is a sport that is taken seriously by schools and each year there are local, regional, and national competitions among schools. Locally, however, it is referred to as football, which means something different in America. Of equal importance is netball that is played exclusively by women. Local, regional, and national competitions are also held every year and among teams drawn from the three East African countries. It is not very well known internationally and it is unlikely that it will ever gain the prestige that soccer enjoys around the world.

Traditional dances are also a mark of the culture. There are local and national groups that perform at different occasions especially during local, regional, and national festivals. Some national groups travel internationally on invitation, but mostly to European and Asian countries.

Because the Swahili people are very social, the culture of food as part of recreation is evident anywhere one goes. Food and drinks are used to get people together whether there is a celebration or not. Any gathering can be turned to a party when food and drinks are introduced. It is not uncommon to find impromptu party-like gathering at someones home, at a park, or a restaurant. Needless to say, the Swahili people do not have the habit of eating in restaurants. Many prefer home settings although most men do go out in groups to bars and restaurants to drink. Women rarely go out as much as the men do. They may do so in special occasions. In most cases, affluent families go out together on weekends, particularly on Sundays.

Unit 11: Activities for Sustenance

There are various activities that can provide sustenance. In many of the Swahili speaking areas, 95% of the people are engaged in farming activities. The type of crops depends on the seasons. For the most part, farmers are fully engaged all year round working on both cash and food crops. In the rural areas, it is not rare to find mixed farming. Those whose main occupation is farming would also spend about 5-10% of their time on herding small numbers of cattle such as cows, goats, and pigs (pigs for non Muslim areas only). Those who engage in herding may or may not engage in farming. However, it is not uncommon to find small vegetable gardens near the home for home consumption only.

Other activities include arts and crafts. Because of the availability of wood, wood products dominate the carving activities. The products can be sold locally or can be sent to the city for higher prices when sold to tourists. Mostly men engage in carving activities while women concentrate on weaving or sewing. They can weave baskets and mats from palm leaves or other types of plant fibers. Sewing includes decorative crafts for home use or outfits that are worn in special occasions like weddings, and national festivals.

Other activities include working in an office, construction, teaching, medical services, and other social services that are also typical in other parts of the world. These have specific work hours, usually 7:30 a.m. through 3:00 p.m. Many government offices are closed on Saturday and Sundays and allow Muslims to take time off on Fridays for religious services.

Unit 12: Modern and traditional medicine

It is important to note that modern medicine and traditional medicine work hand-in-hand and that both are embodied in the culture of healing. Although there is a strong belief on herbal medicine and the use of traditional healing practices, the tendency is to try modern medicine first until the patient and his/her doctor are convinced that traditional medicine should be given a chance. Thus, there is great respect for traditional herbalists and medicine.

One should not confuse traditional medicine with witchcraft that does not heal but rather harm. Oftentimes, foreigners see herbalists as witchcraft. This is, unfortunately, a consequence of colonialism that is also largely responsible for the loss of indigenous knowledge about herbal medicine. For centuries, herbal medicine was used to both cure and prevent many indigenous diseases. Nowadays, many modern medical centers and hospitals are looking at ways to revive that knowledge. Many referral hospitals in Tanzania, for example, have a unit at the hospital that focuses on the research on herbal medicine. Some herbalists work very closely with modern doctors at these hospitals and the hospitals allow herbal medicine to be used in conjunction or in place of modern medicine.