NDUMBA Tribe

The Ndamba is an ethnic and linguistic group based in south-central Tanzania whose population was 79000 in 1987. Oral tradition were originally on off shoot of the Pogoro people. Their first chief was Mbuyi  Undole I , who led a small group westward away from the Pogoro. The Ndamba flourished and spread through the southern part of the Morogoro region, the tribe is now found in Mlimba , Masagati , Chisano , Chita , Merera ,Malinyi , Igawa ,Biro ,Ngombo , Mchombe ,Mgenta ,  Iwipa ,Mbingu , Mofu  and other parts of Kilombero District and Ulanga District and areas. The major transition stages in the Ndamba tribe are birth , initiation, marriage and  death.

              

Pregnancy or Birth , is a sign of fertility since it assures everyone that the woman is able to bear children and it is a security for women’s  marriage.

In Ndamba tribe have ritual and rites to ensure the safety of the pregnant mother and her child. So regulations and taboos are observed example; the women stops sleeping with her husband for a certain period, not doing some work cutting fire wood ,using sharp instruments razor blades , collection fire wood . She is also forbidden to eat certain food –eggs , excessive fat . The expectant mother wears some protective charms and sometimes is sent back to her parents’ home for extra attention as she awaits the delivery.

When the time for delivery arrives , a traditional midwife is called. In Ndamba society a special house is put aside for this cause. In Ndamba tribe men are not permitted to participate in the delivery exercise. The gender  of the baby is announced immediately through shouting , yelling or screaming by the attendants to the delivering mother also keep the mother and baby in seclusion for some days in order to give her time to rest and recover  and to protect them from harm.

The child is named , which is an official introduction to the community . The name given depend on various incidences such as; Names  reflecting the feelings of the parents –long awaited child , religious feelings of  the parents example Liwuyilila , Names of ancestors –names of the departed ancestors as a reflection of immortality example Ngarondwa  , Names reflecting the time or occasion of birth example Njara , Names which describe the child and it background example Mtile and clan names –some societies give clan names.

      

Initiation , initiation rites are usually very elaborate , lasting from a few days to more than two years. They are performed often is seclusion with the aim of introducing the youth into adulthood . It is seen as a gateway to marriage for it is during this time that the initiates are taught  sex Education and how to conduct themselves in marriage it brings members of the society together .

        

 Death, is seen as a transformation from this world to the spirit world . Though many myths have tried to explain the origin of death . In Ndamba , death is believed to be caused .

The departed are remembering depending on the role played during one’s life time and ways of remembering them offered some food and drink , children are named after them .

               

In general Ndamba tribe follow their tradition but now days have not due to interactive of other tribes  and effects of Globalization.