Category Archives: tanzania

Fashion Trendy ~ An Increasingly Popular East African Fabric [Kanga]

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How can you resist the eclectic wear of a Kanga? A square, cloth made from cotton, adorned in splashes of color and design, common to East African countries. Always bold, slightly adventurous but at all times appealing, the kanga is a fabric with a magician act. It can be tied in knots, folded, pleated, and wrapped practically any way you want it.Kangas have for as long as is known been a traditional type of dress amongst women in central/east Africa. Kangas are part of everyday life for the women of east Africa, particularly Kenya and Tanzania. Traditionally, women wear them as sarongs or as headscarves. Nowadays Women dont just drape Khanga around their waist while indoors or in public as sarongs, or use them as towels after shower or carrying their young children on their backs. Khanga inspired fabrics and prints are so in right now (its a new black) and a lot of celebs have been spotted rocking the trend~ Beyonce, Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Fergie, Estelle, Gwen Stefani even Michelle Obama was spotted rocking the Kanga Top

Below are the pictures of me wearing Kanga, designed by one of Tanzanian designer~ Asya Idarous Khamsin.


Looking for a Kanga inspired fabric?Here is a list of few known Kanga designers SUNO, CHICHIA LONDON,BOXING KITTEN, TANZANIA MITINDO HOUSE,VIDA MAHIMBO and MUSTAFA HASSANALI

Official Launch Of The Flaviana Matata Foundation-In Honor of Her Beloved Mother

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“May 21st is always a special and very difficult day for me, my family and the families of thousands who lost their loved ones on that fateful day in 1996, when MV Bukoba sank in Lake Victoria. On that day I lost my mother, but never lost hope. I knew a day would come and will be able to cherish her memory and do something special to honor her life and the life she gave me. I am happy to announce that on May 31st, 2011 I will officially launch the FLAVIANA MATATA FOUNDATION in honor of my beloved mother. As a former Miss Universe Tanzania, and currently, a model based in New York and Europe, I would like to use my fame to help the most vulnerable in our society… young women and kids. FLAVIANA MATATA FOUNDATION, a Tanzanian registered nonprofit organization, will give leaders in health, business, government and communities globally the opportunity to be a part of a movement that relies on participation, collaboration and action to reverse child pregnancy rates, and empowering of young women and kids etc. I consider this to be my greatest achievement, and gives me joy to see that my mother’s memory has a chance to live forever. This initiative will bring happiness and joy to many that will be touched directly and indirectly by FLAVIANA MATATA FOUNDATION. Please reserve this date (May 31st, 2011) to come and join me in the launch of this very important initiative. Venue, time, and special guests will be announced at a later stage” Regards Flaviana Matata(Lavvy)

Photo Credits~ Arise Magazine

MV Bukoba Tragedy~ Tanzania remembers,15 years later

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“MV Bukoba was a passenger steamer that sank in Lake Victoria, 30 kilometers from Mwanza, Tanzania on May 21, 1996, killing nearly 1000 people. The boat transported passengers and cargo between Bukoba and Mwanza ports. The steamer’s capacity was 430, but around 800 people drowned as the boat sank to the bottom of Lake Victoria. The manifest showed 443 passengers in the first and second class cabins, but the cheaper third class compartment had no manifest. The lack of equipment and divers were partially to blame for the death toll. Rescue teams from South Africa were flown in to salvage the ship and retrieve bodies that sank 25 meters under water. President Benjamin Mkapa of Tanzania declared three days of national mourning after the tragedy.” Our thoughts and prayers goes to the families,friends and all who have lost there beloved ones on that fateful day . May God Rest their Souls in Peace. Amen.

Tanzania Union Day 2011 Celebration ~Seattle

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Tanzanians who reside in Seattle are going to be celebrating Tanzania Union Day  this Saturday. Please come join us as we celebrate the forty-seventh anniversary of the union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar originally (April 26). This is an opportunity to celebrate the culture and accomplishments of our peaceful, tolerant and democratic country, and to reaffirm the bonds of friendship between us. The event is going to take place in Seattle, on April 30,2011 at Eritrean Association Hall. There will be  Tanzanian food,traditional music and fashion show .Tanzanian local designer Ms. Asia Idarous Khamsin will also be there to showcase her collection. Don’t miss. See event flier below for more information. See you there…

Ras Kutani ~ Tanzania’s Hidden Secret

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For those looking for the vacation-of-a-lifetime, The Selous Safari Company offers an unparalleled safari and beach experience in Tanzania. Ras Kutani is a lovely location on the Tanzanian coast, about an hours’ drive from Dar es Salaam.The spot  captures the essence of Tanzania natural beauty, while on your way to Ras Kutani you will be able to see Tanzania’s coastal vegetation which is lush and dotted. Amongst it are several small farming villages, where clusters of thatched huts stand under palm and papaya trees. Continue reading →

New Reality Show~ Growing Up African

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The show centers around a Tanzanian family of five siblings and a single mother living in the United States;showcases trials, struggles and successes of living in a foreign country. Growing up African has signed a long time deal with East African Televesion (EATV). It’s first episode  goes on air  on Friday, March 25th, 2011 at 9:30pm in East Africa on  Channel 5. Continue reading →

Loliondo In Crisis

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The influx of patients into Samunge village in Loliondo has plunged the little village into a crisis as the area has been overwhelmed by large crowds of people and cannot cope with the estimated  more than six thousand people that flock the village on a daily basis from all over Tanzania and the neighbouring  countries. To forestall possible outbreak of communicable diseases due to the lack of sanitary facilities in the village, the government of Tanzania has been compelled to suspend the treatment and cure of chronic diseases by the retired pastor of the evangelical Lutheran church, who claims to have divine powers to heal. Stop by Alpha Mantai’s blog for a full story.

Thousands influx to Loliondo,Tanzania To Get the Miracle Cure from a Local Herbalist

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The Loliondo area in Tanzania is found near the world renowned wildlife sanctuaries of Ngorongoro conservation area and Serengeti National Park, both Ngorongoro and Serengeti are famous for tourism activities such as game viewing on the crater floor and Serengeti plains, walking adventures in Olmoti and Empakai craters. The area is in Maasai land and is located at the southern border of Ololosokwan at Serengeti.

But this time the area is making headlines for a complete different reason. Pastor Ambilikile Masapila, the local herbalist resident in the area, has added the attractiveness of the area, all roads lead to the area at the moment. The herbalist who is a retired pastor of the Lutheran church is making news by claiming that he is capable
Continue reading →

Anisa Mpungwe;Tanzanian Designer Of Loin Cloth and Ashes~Showcased At New York Fashion Week

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First off, Congratulation to Anisa Mpungwe for being  the first Tanzanian designer to showcase at New York Fashion week. Tanzanian born Mpungwe launched her label Loin Cloth and Ashes in August 2008. Anisa trained at the Midrand Graduate Institute before completing a course in Creative Pattern Construction at the London College of Fashion.

This year is big for Anisa Mpungwe, but then, she’s had a big year every year for the past three years.In 2008, she won the Elle New Talent competition which attracts young design talent from around the country. Mpungwe’s fresh, unique and meticulously presented garments won her the coveted prize of “Young Designer of the Year”.Anisa has also shown at South Africa Fashion Week, Mozambique Fashion Week and Sweden Fashion Week.

Anisa Mpungwe is one of the three African designers who showcased last Saturday night at Bryant park Arise Magazine African Fashion Collective show.Her designs for the New York show are mathematically draped and she says that much of her inspiration was taken from the Japanese art of origami.

Arise is the only showcase for African talent during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and is one of the week’s hottest events.The only three talented African designers featured were Black Coffee of South Africa,Deola Sagoe of Nigeria and Loin Cloth & Ashes of Tanzania.

Loin Cloth& Ashes Fall/Winter Collection ~ Photo via Anisa’s Facebook Page


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Flaviana Matata Finally Hits The Runways Of NYC

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Finally , the former Miss Tanzania hit the runways of NYC.I can see her hitting the runways around the world!She is a great role model and  I wish her all the best. Below is some of the photos from a shoot she did and wanted to share with all of you.


Source ~Flaviana Matata@Global Grind

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Congratulation Flaviana Matata ~ Tanzanian Model~

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Congratulation to my girl former Miss Universe Tanzania 2007, Miss Universe 2007 5th runner up, and now a model in South Africa, Flaviana Matata for her hard work,determination,faith and patient, she will soon be moving to New York to pursue her carrier as a model. She got signed to a major agency  with the help of Mogul Russell Simmon.

As she writes on her blog Flaviana thanked Russell Simmons for being ever so helpful giving her the opportunity to audition in New York with outstanding agencies and he has been working on helping her find a modeling home. She said  “Have met many people but honestly he is the man of his own kind, sacrificing his time beside his busy schedule he has, very few people can do this as have had so many promises after doing well in Miss Universe but up to now haven’t heard from any of the people who promised to help me pursuing my career.  I am so  excited about the possibilities and opportunities that await me in the future, in the United States, and I can only hope and pray that all things work out.  May God bless Russell Simmons in whatever he is doing”

Flaviana, won the very first edition of the Miss Universe Tanzania pageant in 2007, and went on to represent her country in the Miss Universe pageant the same year, where she placed among the Top 15 semifinalists and ended up in 5th place after the evening gown competition. She was the first contestant from Tanzania to compete at Miss Universe 2007, and compete with a shaved head. She has recently model print ads for Sherri Hill. I cant wait to see her representing.Congratulation again!

 
Here, wearing Sherri Hill ~Enchanting hand painted silk chiffon gown,perfectly flattering in turquoise with soft accents. Fitted bodice and flowing skirt are belted with rhinestone accented chiffon.
 
NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 03: Flaviana Matata and Russell Simmons attend the Hublot and African Wildlife Foundation Auction Dinner at American Museum of Natural History – African Mammals Room on February 3, 2010 in New York City.

Flaviana Matata with Russell Simmons, attending Russell Simmons and Kimora Lee Simmons ~ Life Project For Africa gala to benefit   Njia Health Center in Tanzania- New York City (2009)

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I Love and I’m Proud Of My Accent – A Facebook Group

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I just started a new Facebook group called “I Love and I’m Proud of My African Accent“. If you are like me, with deep roots in Africa, you probably have heard Americans say you have an accent.You might feel that having an accent is not a good thing. Many new immigrants in America are embarrassed about their foreign accents and struggle to learn to speak like Americans. I think all this is rather unfortunate.With apologies to no one, I speak English with my distinctive Tanzanian accent~ but I usually get this “I love your accent, it’s so beautiful”, that makes me feel proud of my individuality~

“An accent is an intrinsic aspect of spoken language. Nobody can say a word, let alone speak a language, without an accent. Basically, an accent is one’s distinctive way of speaking” For example, Texans, have their own accent, so do New Yorkers and Americans from other regions.We all should be proud of our accents, because that differentiate you from another person, it make you “Unique”

So if you have an accent and are proud of it, go ahead, join this group and invite all of your friends to join this group as well.A place where you can connect and share stories and feel like you are at home.Anyone can join this group~ After all we all do have accents. LOL! 

By the way, there is no such thing as “Do you speak African” and ooh..Africa is not a country, it’s a Continent; Africa is a land of diversity and contrasts,comprised of several thousand different ethnic groups.Each ethnic group has its own distinct language, traditions, arts and crafts, history, way of life and religion.
 Image from Photobucket
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Ally Rehmtulla’s 2025 Collection -An East African Designer On The Rise

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I just wanted to share these photos with you. I love his style. What do you think.Visit his website if interested on viewing his other collections. 
http://www.allyzdesigns.com/collections_1.html

Photos Credit to U-MODO           
                                                            Ally Rehmtulla Himself!!

 
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Be Culturally Informed;KANGA -A Beautiful African Garment

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        Today I wanted to talk about this beautiful African  garment called KANGA. Kanga means “guinea hen” in Swahili for its brilliant colors. Kanga is a colourful garment worn by women and occasionally by men throughout Eastern Africa. It is a piece of printed cotton fabric, about 1.5m by 1m, (as long as the span of your outstreched arms and wide enough to cover you from neck to knee,or from breast to toe)often with a border along all four sides (called pindo in Swahili), and a central part (mji) which differs in design from the borders. Khangas are usually very colorful ,printed in bold designs and bright colours and  most of them do have Swahili sayings printed on them .Kangas are usually bought and worn as a pair – called a “doti”.

Apart from its protective and decorative role, kanga is all about sending the message. It is the equivalent of the get well, greetings, or congratulations cards in the western culture but in this case the message goes a little bit beyond the normal meaning. For example, a fruit, a flower, a boat, or a bird could mean good upbringing or just the appreciation of beauty. On the other hand, a lion, a shark, or any such kind of dangerous animals could signal the sense of danger or a clear warning.
           Kangas are the perfect gift. Husbands give kangas to wives. children to their mothers, a woman may split a pair to give half to her best friend. Men can sleep in kangas, and often wear them around the house; women wear them everywhere; babies are virtually born into them, and are usually carried in a soft sling of kanga cloth. Kangas are extremely popular throughout East Africa not only for clothing but for their multiple uses; no-one can ever have too many!

Says Welcome Pres. Bush To Tanzania

It says Congratulation Barack Obama

Kanga has also been used to mobilize people in political rallies,public health campaigns as well as creating awareness to particular development projects. When words are difficult to articulate with a mouth, inscribe them on kanga and wait for the results. Although cheap in price, the power of kanga in the Swahili culture is unimaginable.

These are some of the Swahili sayings found in Kanga
  • Wema hauozi — Kindness is never wasted
  • Kawia ufike — Better late than never
  • Riziki Ya Mtu Hupangwa Na Mungu — One’s fortunes are planned by God
  • Mimi Na Wangu Wewe Na Wako Chuki Ya Nini — I have mine and you have yours — why the fuss?
  • Sisi Sote Abiria Dereva Ni Mungu — In this world we are all passengers, God is the driver.
  • Fimbo La Mnyonge Halina Nguvu — Might is right.
  • Liya Na Tabia Yako Usilaumu Wenzako — Do not blame others for problems you have created yourself.
  • Naogopa Simba Na Meno Yake, Siogopi Mtu Kwa Maneno Yake — I fear the lion for its jaws, I do not fear man for his word….

Tanzanite- Tanzania’s Rarest Gem.The Germstone Of The 20th Century!!

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Tanzanite is an exceptionally rare gem stone- estimated at a thousand times rarer than diamond.This extraordinary gemstone occurs in only one place worldwide. Its blue, surrounded by a fine hint of purple, is a wonderful colour.It is named after the East African state of Tanzania, the only place in the world where it has been found.

 

Africa? Does anyone think of gemstones when they hear that name? Well they should, because Africa is a continent which provides the world with a multitude of truly magnificent gemstones, like tanzanite for example. On its discovery in 1967, it was enthusiastically celebrated by the specialists as the ‘gemstone of the 20th century’. They held their breath in excitement as they caught sight of the first deep-blue crystals which had been found in the Merelani Hills near Arusha in the north of Tanzania.


Millions of years ago, metamorphic schists, gneisses and quartzites formed impressive, flat-topped inselbergs on a vast plain in the shadow of Kilimanjaro. The precious crystals grew in deposits on the inside of these unusual elevations. For a long, long time they were hidden from the eye of Man, until one day some passing Masai shepherds noticed some sparkling crystals lying in the sun and took them along with them.

In Merelani today, the search is carried on for the coveted crystals in several, smallish mines, in some cases using modern methods. As a rule, only small grains are found, but now and again the mineworkers succeed in fetching out a larger crystal – to the joy of the mine owners and that of the large number of tanzanite fans.

The tanzanite trade is in the hands of many licensed merchants, mostly on a small scale, who have, over the decades, built up stable, trusting business relationships with gemstone companies in India, Germany, Israel and the USA. An estimated 90 per cent of all tanzanite merchants are official members of the International Colored Gemstone Association ICA, and are thus bound by the high ethical standards of that organisation. In this way, this exclusive gemstone is not subject to trade via dubious channels, but instead, in spite of its rarity, passed on along reputable trade routes to established cutting-centres and subsequently to major jewellers all round the world.

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TANZANIA" The Cradle Of Mankind"–Celebrated Its 48th Independence!!

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9 December 1961 – Tanzania Achieves Independence.The mainland of Tanzania became a German colony called Tanganyika in 1884 whilst the Sultanate of Zanzibar became a British Protectorate in 1890. Tanganyika became a British mandated territory in 1918 and achieved independence in 1961. In 1963 Zanzibar achieved independence, and a year later formed a union with Tanganyika under the new name of Tanzania.

 

Tanzania is home to some of the oldest human settlements unearthed by archaelogists , including fossils of early humans  found in and around Olduvai Gorge in northern Tanzania, an area often referred to as “The Cradle of Mankind”. These fossils include Paranthropus bones thought to be over 2 million years old, and the oldest known footprints of the immediate ancestors of humans, the Laetoli footprints, estimated to be about 3.6 million years old.
              Beautiful Mount Kilimanjaro
                Ngorongoro Crater

Facts About Tanzania
Late Julius K. Nyerere- The Founding President
Kilimanjaro-The highest mountain in Africa is in Tanzania. 
Lake Tanganyika-African Great Lake is located in Tanzania. 
Tanzanite-a rare and only precious germ is found only in Tanzania.
Tanzania in history is The birth of humakind. It has the best  Safari in Africa and is the only country in the world which has allocated at least 25 per cent of its total area to wildlife national parks and protected areas.( Tanzania safaris including Serengeti, Lake Manyara,Ngorongoro Crater,Tarangire National Park,Selous Ruaha,Mount Kilimanjaro Climb,Zanzibar,Amboni Caves and many more.
Go Visit Tanzania,the land of contrasts and majesty………..

Read More About Tanzania >>>>>>

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Windows 7 to be translated into 10 African languages

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The Windows 7 operating system, released by Microsoft, will be translated into 10 African languages. Translation teams from South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria and Ethiopia have already started translating Windows 7 and the upcoming Office 2010 productivity suite into languages like Sesotho sa Leboa, Setswana, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Afrikaans, Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, kiSwahili and Amharic.
Read More >>>.

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