Back to the roots: When 2000 young scholars rekindle cultural diversity for a united front

More than 2000 young people from all over Tanzania recently converged in the Northern City of Arusha to celebrate the country’s cultural diversity.

Many of them happen to be students of the Tumaini University of Makumira, which hosted the youth cultural gathering through a spectacular maiden festival dubbed ‘Unity in Diversity!’

And sure enough, in a country comprising 120 ethnic groups with more than 100 dialects, unity should be a strange term, but surprisingly in Tanzania, people are united against such divisions as attested by the Makumira scholars during the special program.

The students at Makumira University all hail from these different and diverse cultural backgrounds.

Speaking during the official opening of the event, Prof Fikeni Senkoro, a lecturer at the Tumaini University Makumira (TUMA) reminded the young scholars the importance of maintaining and upholding their cultural heritage.

Citing Okot P’Bitek’s dual poetry, ‘The Song of Ocol: The Song of Lawino,’ Prof Senkoro pointed out that the African culture has more than one dimension and when observed from different perspective it can either be interpreted as good or bad depending on how brainwashed one is.

The ‘Unity in Diversity’ cultural festival organized at the Tumaini University Makumira is the brainchild of Madam Irene Mollel who teaches English and Communication skills.

“The aim of these cultural events is first to remind young people of their roots, especially in these modern times when technology has taken over their lives reducing the world into one tiny village sharing a single digital culture,” Madam Mollel stated.

But the event also involves showcasing local cuisine and traditional foods.

“This is more than just a display of cultural menu,” said Ms Mollel.

“Exotic foods have been discovered to be sources of modern-day ailments and diseases, traditional meals can actually save lives because they consist of healthy organic ingredients, responsible preparations, free of additives and essentially tastier and satisfying,” she pointed out.

But the pantomime wasn’t just for university scholars, one of the participants, Victoria Yese is a Form Six Students at Saint Mary Goreti Secondary School in Kilimanjaro Region who fashions traditional ornaments and decorations.

So far, Tumaini University Makumira is one of the few institutions of higher learning in Tanzania that embrace and promote cultural heritage.

The institution, located in Arumeru District runs the dedicated Cultural Arts Centre (CAC) which serves as the hub for cultural restoration, learning preservation and performance.

This special department is located adjacent to the main campus and features a professional performance auditorium with a seating capacity for 435 people a dance studio, conference facilities, a music library, and an exhibit of traditional Tanzanian instruments

The event was organized by scholars undertaking Bachelor of art in education programs as well those taking Diploma in Education studies.

The President of the Students’ Government at the University, Gisto Haymale said the event helps scholars to learn about different cultures which is also an important part of their learning.

Another participant, Jovian Jassan Katundu was more impressed with cultural cuisine; “For the first time ever I have managed to taste traditional foods from different tribes,” he stated.,