Chagga

Chagga, also spelled Chaga, refers to a Bantu-speaking ethnic group native to northern Tanzania. The Chagga live mainly on the southern and eastern slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro in the Kilimanjaro Region, with settlements extending into adjacent districts. They constitute one of the region’s largest and most urbanized communities, with population estimates ranging from hundreds of thousands to over a million people.

The people speak Kichagga, a set of related Bantu languages and dialects. Kiswahili and English are widely used in education, administration, and commerce. The Chagga practice a mix of traditional beliefs, Christianity (Catholic and Protestant), and Islam, with syncretic practices observed in some communities.

Historically, the Chagga were organized into several independent chieftaincies or clans, including Machame, Moshi, Kibosho, and Rombo. Agriculture has long been central to Chagga life; the slopes support intensive banana farming, staple crops, and terraced fields. With German colonial rule in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, coffee emerged as a major cash crop, a role that persisted into the post-independence period and helped shape the local economy. Tourism around Mount Kilimanjaro also contributes to livelihoods.

Today, many Chagga are involved in farming, commerce, and urban occupations in towns such as Moshi and Arusha hinterlands, while maintaining cultural practices, crafts, and festivals tied to the agricultural calendar. The Chagga are a key part of Tanzania’s cultural and economic landscape in the Kilimanjaro region.