The Datooga People

The Datooga are among the smallest of the 120 ethnic groups in Tanzania and they consist of a variety of widely dispersed ethnic groups with a common background and culture. The twelve existing Datooga sub-tribes share a common language, which is related to languages found in the south of Sudan. The best known and most numerous sub-tribe are the Barbaig. They reside chiefly in the part of the northern volcanic highlands, which is dominated by Mount Hanang, whose sacred nature makes it an important theme in Datooga myth and song. They occupy the area covered by the ELCT Mbulu and Central Dioceses. The Datooga people are linguistically related to the Masaai, and like them they are nomadic pasturalists. They used to travel from one area to another with their animals. Although cattle are by far their most important domestic animals, they also keep goats, sheep, and a few chickens. Donkeys are used as a means of transport. Meat, fat, blood, and milk are used as food, and hides are used for clothing. The horns, tendons and dung of every animal have either practical or ritual uses. Their nomadic way of life is now changing, with many starting to farm a plot of maize and sometimes beans and millet.

The Datooga themselves blend in with their environment, their dress being the colour of the reddish brown soil. Only on closer inspection will they appear colourful, with their reddish, patched leather dresses, bead work, and brass bracelets and necklaces.

Datooga are proud people, with a reputation as fierce warriors. The Masaaï called them Man'gati, which means "respected enemy" in masaaï language. Traditionally, young men had to prove their courage and skills by killing an "enemy of the people", such as elephants, lion or buffalo, or a person from another ethnic group. The Datooga are resistant to cultural change, maintaining a strong adherence to traditional animist beliefs and practices.

As a result of the nomadic origin of the Datooga and the relative small size of its population, a written version of the Datooga language was never developed. Moreover, since only a few received formal education, most Datooga only speak there own language and hardly any speak Swahili.