Tanzania

Tanzania was born in 1964 as the union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar. Indeed, the name of the country is derived from a combination of the “Tan” and the “Zan” from the two regions. The country is largely agricultural and, while it has numerous ethnic groups, has not experienced ethnic rivalry or civil war as many countries in Africa have. 

The country is a bit larger than the size of Texas and New Mexico combined. The population of the country is about 72 million, making it a bit more populous than Texas and California combined. 

Before independence the regions that became Tanzania were under English colonial rule, and before that were part of German East Africa. German East Africa was abolished after the Germans lost World War I. 

Today Tanzania is home to a multitude of ethnic groups, but there is not large religious majority. Figures are far from precise, but current estimates are 60% Christian, 35% Muslim, and the rest would be atheistic, non-religious, or belong to the traditional religions. Many of the Muslims live on the island of Zanzibar. The capital city is Dodoma. It is centrally located, but Dar es Salaam on the Indian Ocean coast is far more populous. 

This country has over a hundred ethnic groups by some estimates. The largest ethnic groups are the Sukuma (13–16%), the Nyamwezi (5–7%), the Chagga (4–6%), the Haya, and so on. The national language is Kiswahili though for business and education English is often used. 

Tanzania is surrounded by the “great lakes” of Africa: Lakes Victoria, Tanganyika, and Nyasa. A unique export of the country is Tanzanite, a beautiful blue gem that only exists in that part of the world. 

If you have any friends from there or want to pray for the country here are some things to consider:

  1. Muslims and Christians have lived peacefully together for decades. But recent reform movements in Islam are more violent and are increasing in the country. 
  2. The government (like almost all African governments) is very corrupt. Pray for justice and reform and the truth of Christ to transform people’s hearts.
  3. The youth and child population is huge and growing. Unlike the west where people just don’t have children, Tanzanians are having children! They need education, healthcare, and healthy Christian churches to attend and grow in. 

If you have a Tanzanian friend, ask them how you can pray for their country, and mention you are already praying for the points above—this will touch their hearts and show that you respect them. Ask them how Tanzania has been able to have large Muslim and Christian populations in the same country for decades with little violence—this is not common.