Kilimanjaro festival seeks place on world culture map
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Loading... - Sarah Kimaro
- 01 Feb 2022
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In East Africa, cultural festivals have not caught on and are far in between when they happen, compared with the annual international music festivals. Uganda has the Nyege Nyege festival and Tanzania has Sauti za Busara.
This past weekend, the first Kilimanjaro Cultural Festival, a two day-feast of food, dance, history and culture was held in Moshi town, northern region of Tanzania.
Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu graced the festival, giving a boost to its profile. She said holding cultural festivals will boost tourism, cultural and historical heritage safaris for the region.
Held under the shadow of the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, the festival’s attractions included traditional food like matooke (bananas) cooked in various ways, and the famous alcoholic beverage mbege — made from the juice of boiled ripe bananas mixed with cooked finger millet porridge and fermented for three days.
Roast bananas are also eaten with roast goat meat in a feast of the forgotten traditional cuisine of the mountain people.
The Kilimanjaro region has a lot to offer for history buffs, which is part of the festival, said Frank Marealle, chairman of the Tanzanian traditional chiefs.
The history heritage circuit involves a visit to the 40-kilometre trench dug by local freedom fighters during the war with German colonisers between 1892 and 1900.
Full package
Kilimanjaro is sold as a full package for the visitors who enjoy nature through forest walks on the trails to see waterfalls, crater lakes or even a short hike up the mountain.
The Mkuu Cultural Tourism Enterprise in Rombo, run by youth and women, keeps the cultural heritage alive.
Festival co-ordinator Linus Lasway said they organise short trips and homestays in the surrounding villages. There are visits to coffee and banana farms, to banana brew makers and local food dives. Read More…
