Dodoma. During the famine of 1974/75, many Tanzanians were forced to eat porridge made from yellow maize provided as aid by the United States.
This porridge came to be famously known as "Ugali wa Yanga," a name that has become deeply embedded in Tanzania's cultural history.
The term "Ugali wa Yanga" emerged due to the yellow hue of the maize flour, which resembled the colours describing the Young Africans Sports Club (Yanga SC), affectionately known as Wananchi.
The yellow maize was milled into flour and used to prepare ugali, a staple Tanzanian dish.
Yanga SC, one of the oldest and most successful football clubs in Tanzania, has long symbolised unity and pride for its supporters, contributing to the popularity of the term.
Established in 1935, Yanga's iconic yellow and green colours became a social and cultural identity for fans across the country, cementing the connection between the maize flour and the club in the public consciousness.
The famine that coined "Ugali wa Yanga"
The 1974/75 famine was triggered by severe drought and poor agricultural output, marking one of Tanzania's most difficult periods.
The preceding year's agricultural performance had been poor due to the Operation Vijiji initiative, which aimed to consolidate rural communities into Ujamaa (communal) villages.
While designed to improve access to services like education, healthcare, and water, the policy disrupted food production by displacing farmers from their ancestral land, leaving the country with inadequate food reserves.
In response, President Julius Nyerere sought international food aid, including yellow maize from the United States.
Processed into maize flour, this aid became a crucial lifeline during the famine.
However, the flour, later nicknamed "Unga wa Yanga" or "Ugali wa Yanga," was met with mixed reactions.
Many found its bitter taste, unappealing, and some experienced health issues, including diarrhoea.
Among the fans
Despite the hardship, "Ugali wa Yanga" became a topic of national conversation, often discussed with humour and good-natured banter.
For Yanga supporters, the term became a way of celebrating their beloved team, underscoring the club's deep integration into Tanzanian society.
For Simba SC fans, Yanga's traditional rivals, the term was used in jest, adding a playful twist to the intense rivalry between the two clubs.
Ugali wa Yanga" became more than just a food—it symbolised resilience, unity, and hope during a challenging time. Yanga SC’s growing reputation was intertwined with the term, further elevating the club's standing in the national consciousness
The porridge of solidarity
Though "Ugali wa Yanga" arose from a period of hardship, it became a testament to the solidarity, humour, and perseverance of Tanzanians.
Yanga SC's storied history and success further reinforced the significance of the term, embedding it deeply in the cultural fabric of the nation.
For Yanga fans and Tanzanians alike, "Ugali wa Yanga" remains a powerful symbol of how sport and history can intertwine to create unique national narratives.
To this day, Yanga SC continues to hold a central place in Tanzanian life, with its popularity on full display during the iconic Kariakoo Derby against their traditional rivals, Simba SC.
