Vanishing Heritage: Tanzania's Hadzabe and Tatoga face climate change threats

The Hadzabe, among the last remaining hunter-gatherer societies globally, live primarily in the Yaeda Valley near Lake Eyasi.

Numbering only about 1,300 to 1,500, they have thrived for centuries in harmony with their environment. However, their resilience is now being tested.

Climate-induced disasters, such as the flash floods and mudslides that struck Babati and Mbulu districts in 2023, devastated their habitats.

Reports indicate that nearly 60 percent of Hadzabe dwellings were affected, forcing many to seek refuge elsewhere.

“The Hadzabe are entirely dependent on their environment. When the land suffers, they suffer too. Climate change is no longer a distant threat but a lived reality for them,” explains a governance and economic policy expert, Ms Eva Kihupi.

The Tatoga, also known as the Datooga, faces similar threats.

This pastoralist community, concentrated in Manyara, Singida, and Dodoma regions, depends on livestock for survival.

Recurrent droughts, however, have reduced grazing lands, forcing them into resource competition with other groups.

A steady population decline further highlights their precarious existence.

Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, biodiversity loss, and water scarcity have compounded the challenges for these indigenous groups.

For the Hadzabe, who rely on wild plants and game, dwindling resources directly threaten their survival.

Today, reports note that only 150 to 200 Hadzabe still practice traditional hunting and gathering, as displacement and land loss push them away from their ancestral ways.

Meanwhile, the Tatoga also known Wadatooga, Wataturu or Wamang'ati contend with shrinking grazing lands due to encroachment by commercial agriculture and urbanisation.

Many have been forced to migrate or adopt unsustainable practices, leading to economic and social marginalisation in urban areas.

Why protect these communities?

Indigenous groups like the Hadzabe and Tatoga are vital custodians of biodiversity.

A United Nations study reveals that while indigenous peoples constitute less than 5 percent of the global population, they safeguard over 80 percent of the world’s biodiversity.

“Their traditional knowledge and sustainable practices are invaluable in conserving ecosystems and combating climate change,” says Ms Kihupi.

“When indigenous rights are recognised, deforestation rates drop, and carbon stocks increase,” she adds.

The Hadzabe’s deep understanding of flora and fauna has been a cornerstone of conservation efforts in the Yaeda Valley.

Similarly, the Tatoga’s pastoral practices, when supported with sustainable resources, help maintain ecological balance in their regions.

Yet, these contributions often go unrecognised.

Both communities receive minimal tailored support from the government or international organisations.

Tanzania’s policies generally overlook the unique vulnerabilities of these groups, a gap that experts argue undermines inclusive climate governance.

“The government must develop policies that specifically address the needs of indigenous groups,” urges an environmental policy researcher at Sokoine University of Agriculture, Mr Juma Chuma.

“This includes securing their land rights, providing access to education and healthcare, and integrating their knowledge into national conservation strategies.”

Global evidence shows that securing indigenous rights helps reduce deforestation and improve ecosystem health.

Local collaboration among authorities, NGOs, and international bodies could foster reforestation, water conservation and climate-resilient agriculture to protect these communities.

“If we don’t act now, these communities could vanish within decades,” warns Mr Chuma. “It’s not just their loss; it’s a loss for Tanzania and the global community.”

Recognising this, Tanzania has made efforts to safeguard its cultural and natural heritage.

The Hadzabe and Tatoga have been officially recognised as indigenous groups with rights to their ancestral lands, including the Yaeda Valley.

These designations aim to protect their cultural practices and traditional knowledge.

Cultural tourism programmes in areas like the Lake Eyasi region have also emerged, promoting indigenous traditions while providing economic incentives for conservation.

Moreover, Tanzania has been collaborating with UNESCO to preserve its diverse cultural and natural heritage, including indigenous languages and traditions.

Despite these steps, experts stress that more needs to be done.

"The plight of the Hadzabe and Tatoga underscores the urgent need for inclusive climate policies and sustained efforts to preserve their heritage," stressed Mr Chuma.

Their survival is not just about cultural preservation, he said; "It is a beacon of Tanzania’s commitment to biodiversity and climate justice."

Protecting the ‘endangered’ communities is essential for a sustainable future, a responsibility Tanzania cannot afford to overlook.