Hadzabe hunters. Photo | FILE
Dar es Salaam. Nestled deep within the wilderness of northern Tanzania lies a unique community—the Hadzabe.
Renowned as one of the last hunter-gatherer tribes in Africa, the Hadzabe have preserved a way of life that harks back thousands of years.
Free from the trappings of modernity, their existence remains intimately tied to nature.
“When a man wakes up, he picks up his bow and arrows and heads into the wilderness to hunt for meat or gather wild honey,” explained one of the Hadzabe leaders and elders during an interview on Leo Tena, a popular radio programme on Clouds FM.
He continued: “Women, on the other hand, go out to collect fruits and edible roots. However, for certain fruits like baobab, which are harder to harvest, men help by climbing trees and passing them down to the women.”
Their diet primarily consists of meat, honey, fruits, and roots sourced directly from their natural surroundings.
“Our food is often roasted over open flames, but there are some fruits and roots we eat raw,” the elder added.
Interestingly, they consume certain roots with high water content to quench their thirst when far from water sources.
“We dig into the ground to find roots with stored water, which serves as a substitute for regular drinking water, especially during dry spells.”
The Hadzabe live in harmony with wildlife, a relationship forged through years of coexistence.
“We are not afraid when we encounter wild animals,” the elder noted.
Still, some animals, like lions and elephants, pose threats.
He said hunting elephants requires skill and patience due to their resilience.
“When hit with poisoned arrows, elephants can detoxify themselves by consuming specific plants. It may take months for the poison to affect them, unlike smaller animals that succumb within an hour,” he explained.
Another aspect of Hadzabe life that fascinates outsiders is their approach to hygiene.
“We don’t bathe unless it rains because water sources are far from our homes,” the elder admitted.
Yet, this is not due to scarcity but tradition. Similarly, brushing teeth is rare.
“Most people don’t bother with tree sticks for brushing. Instead, they simply start their day with a piece of meat,” he remarked with a chuckle.
Marriage customs reflect their simplicity and harmony with nature.
“When a man falls in love, he hunts a large animal and delivers it to the girl’s family,” the elder explained.
This signifies his interest and leads to a courtship ritual involving a baboon hunt.
The couple then elopes briefly, enjoying a meal in the forest.
“Once the woman’s family feasts on the meat, the marriage is official,” he said.
Strict rules govern their relationships.
“We marry only one wife,” the elder confirmed. Even divorce does not disrupt social harmony.
“If a couple separates, they remain friendly, even if they meet in the forest,” he added.
Though traditionally self-reliant, trade with neighbouring communities has become common.
“Now, we exchange meat with the Mang’ati for maize flour. This allows us to enjoy meals like ugali,” the elder shared.
For health, the Hadzabe rely on natural remedies.
“For colds, we mix python fat, honey from young bees, and zebra fat to make a drink that restores strength,” he revealed.
Women give birth in the forest, assisted by midwives.
Their spiritual beliefs centre around nature. “We believe in two gods: the sun, which is male, and the moon, which is female.
The stars are their children, and each time a woman gives birth, a new star appears in the sky to protect the newborn,” he shared.
As modernisation encroaches upon their territory, the Hadzabe face challenges.
Yet, their resilience and profound connection to the forest remain unwavering.
“Our connection to the forest is our identity. It is who we are, and it is what we want to remain,” the elder said.
