The Gogo

Front Cover
M.E. Sharpe, 1995 M02 27
This work, available for the first time in English, is the noted Tanzanian author and poet Mathais Mnyampala's reconstruction of the history and customs of his people. First published, in Swahili, by the East Africa Literature Bureau in 1954, it was one of a number of histories informally sponsored by the British colonial government that were designed to promote tribal cohesion in the face of growing African nationalism. In the long run, it helped inspire the nationalist movement locally. It became part of a discourse among nationalist modernizers, traditional intellectuals, and colonizers that shaped the end of colonial hegemony and the coming of independence to Tanzania.

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Contents

The Ironies of Historia Mila na Desturi za Wagogo
The Country
1
The Text
5
The Context
18
Conclusion
23
Notes to the Introduction
24
A Note on the Translation
29
History Customs and Traditions
31
The Increase in Revenue to Our Treasury
73
About the Author of This Book92
74
History of Manyoni
79
The Native Authority of Unyangwira
80
The Native Authority of Mgunduko
82
The Native Authority of Isseke
83
The Native Authority of Mdaburo
84
The Native Authority of Itigi
85

Introduction
33
History of Dodoma
35
The Coming of Foreign Tribes into the Countries of Ugogo
37
European Rule Begins
40
Building the Fort at Dodoma
42
The Regions of Ugogo
44
The Council of Native Authorities in the Districts of Ugogo
45
The Native Authority of Mvumi
47
The Native Authority of Mwitikira
49
The Native Authority of Cinyambwa
51
The Native Authority of Hombolo Zanka
53
The Native Authority of Dodoma
54
The Native Authority of Luatu
56
The Native Authority of Bahi
58
The Native Authority of Msanga Chilonwa
60
The Native Authority of Kikombo Buigiri
61
The Native Authority of Matumbulu
63
The Native Authority of Nondwa
64
The Native Authority of Makutupora
66
The Native Authority of Makangwa
68
The Native Authority of Itiso
69
The Four Federations in the Four Parts of Dodoma District
70
The Measure of Development in Ugogo Dodoma
72
The Native Authority of Kirurumo
86
The Native Authority of Itumba
87
After the Appointment of the Native Authorities
88
Gratitude to Government Servants
89
Customs and Traditions
91
The Leaders of the Rituals and the Guardians of the Customs of the AgeGrades
92
The Origins of the Rituals and a List of Famines
95
Traditions concerning Pregnancy Birth and Raising a Child
97
Boys and Girls Their Circumcision
98
Concerning the Marriage of Boys and Girls
100
Consummation after Marriage
103
The Death of a Prominent Citizen
105
The WitchFinding Tradition and Types of Punishment
107
Types of Cigogo Rituals
109
Differences in the Customs and Traditions of the Wagogo Toda
111
Comparison of the Past and the Present
115
In Praise of Dodoma
117
Notes to Mnyampalas Text
121
Glossary
133
Bibliography
135
Index
139
About the Authors
145
Copyright

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Page 3 - It is a ferment of trouble and distraction, and a vermin of petty annoyances beset the travellers from day to day while in it. No natives know so well how to aggrieve and be unpleasant to travellers. One would think there was a school somewhere in Ugogo to teach low cunning and vicious malice to the chiefs, who are masters in foxy-craft. Nineteen years ago I looked at this land and people with desiring eyes. I saw in it a field worth some effort to reclaim. In six months I felt sure Ugogo could be...
Page 3 - There is no country in Africa that has excited greater interest in me than this. It is a ferment of trouble and distraction, and a vermin of petty annoyances beset the travellers from day to day while in it. No natives know so well how to aggrieve and be unpleasant to travellers. One would think there was a school somewhere in Ugogo to teach low cunning and vicious malice to the chiefs, who are masters in foxy-craft. Nineteen years ago I looked at this land and people with desiring eyes. I saw in...
Page 104 - ... following manner : have a large curved needle, armed with a strong double ligature ; pass the needle, carrying the ligature after it, through the base of one of the piles, and then cut off the needle. The double ligature is now divided into two single ligatures, which are tied round the base of the pile, one on one side and the other on the other side, with a single knot. Treat all the piles in this manner ; and as the ligatures are applied, let your assistant draw the several threads out of...
Page 27 - Robert H. Jackson and Gregory Maddox, "The Creation of Identity: Colonial Society in Bolivia and Tanzania," Comparative Studies in Society and History, 35, 2 (Apr.
Page 22 - They thought it made them attractive to the girls during the dancing season. The problem was they would smear themselves with the mixture, very thick, and then not wash it off for two months. The smell would be unbearable. The colonial officials liked it. They encouraged it. They thought it was a good cultural characteristic.
Page 1 - It occupies the southern portion of the central plateau of Tanzania from the Rift Valley in the west to the Ruhebo Mountains in the east and from the northern border of Dodoma District south to the Ruha River...
Page 49 - The country of the Wanyamzura was one greatly feared in Ugogo, as it is said that the Wanyamzura had the power to stop the rains or to give permission for the rains to start again, as they decided.
Page 38 - Anyone who moves to Ugogo, pierces the ear, marks the forehead, and follows the customs and habits of Cigogo is then not called of another tribe but is an Mgogo.
Page 47 - Their origin is from the Wahehe, and they came from the country of Wotta (now located in the south of Mpwapwa District). Among the Wahehe their clan is called Wasemwali.

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