The Chagga are one of Tanzania’s largest ethnic groups. They live on the southern and eastern slopes of Kilimanjaro, where volcanic soil and rain from the mountain support some of the most productive farming in East Africa. Many Kilimanjaro guides and porters are Chagga.
Farming
Chagga families traditionally farm a kihamba, a home garden that layers crops: tall shade trees, bananas, coffee, then vegetables and fodder below. Water comes from irrigation canals dug along the slopes over centuries. Bananas are a staple food, cooked in many ways.
Coffee
Missionaries introduced coffee in the late 19th century, and the Chagga became successful growers. In 1925 they formed one of Africa’s first cooperative coffee unions. Read about Tanzanian coffee.
History
The Chagga were once organised into many small chiefdoms, such as Machame, Marangu and Kibosho, which often competed and fought. Some communities dug tunnels and caves under their homes to hide from raiders. A few can be visited today.
Culture
- Mbege: a traditional beer brewed from bananas and millet, shared at celebrations.
- Kibo: the Chagga name for Kilimanjaro’s main peak.
- Yohani Kinyala Lauwo, a Chagga guide, led the first recorded ascent of Kilimanjaro in 1889. Read Kilimanjaro facts.
Visiting Chagga villages
Materuni, Marangu and Machame offer walks to waterfalls, coffee tours and visits to old caves. A day in Materuni is included in our Machame Route climb, and our Marangu Route starts in Chagga country.
Frequently asked questions
On the southern and eastern slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, around Moshi, Machame and Marangu.
A traditional Chagga beer made from bananas and millet.
Yes. Yohani Kinyala Lauwo guided Hans Meyer and Ludwig Purtscheller to the summit in 1889.
