Tanzania is a very interesting region, not only because it has, over the years, become a major world-renowned tourist center because of its many National Parks and lush beaches where many activities can be carried out, but also because it is a place teeming with different customs, lifestyles, languages and cultures, partly because of its colonial history that made it possible for a concentration of different cultures and peoples to settle there.
The authenticity of this place lies precisely in this set of fundamental aspects, which are definitely worth delving into to understand how different it is from other tourist destinations of some attention. And it is important to point out that all the aspects we have so far delved into concern not only the main language of the place (Swahili, which is an example of the many additions and borrowings of other languages due to the various colonizations over the centuries) but also the culture and, with it, the religion.
The glaring example of Tanzania’s varied culture is given precisely by the religion that is practiced here: in fact, as we shall see, it is not unique, but is subdivided into various creeds also because of the right that is guaranteed by the constitution, in which it is possible to practice the religion one believes best. It is also good to point out that there are, however, no precise and official data regarding this aspect of the daily life of the Tanzanian population to date, because after 1967 the government excluded this issue from censuses for both economic and political reasons.
See also the guide to languages in Tanzania.
What are the main religions in Tanzania
However, the certain fact is that the right to practice the religion one prefers is guaranteed by the constitution, and in religious freedom there is also contemplated the possibility of conversion or changing religion if, in the course of one’s life, events occur for which one has this need.
It is also good to remember that although there is some religious freedom, the policy keeps many aspects of its expression in check, since religious organizations must be regularly registered with the Ministry of Home Affairs and Muslim ones, for example, must send a copy of their approval letter to the Tanzanian Council.
From the estimates we now possess, however, (some coming from the Pew Research Center referring to 2010, others from the Association of Religion Data Archives (ARDA) reported in 2015) Christianity is the largest religion in Tanzania and the percentage of Christians present is about 61 percent of the population. Following, there is Islam with a percentage of 35 percent; in a clear minority with 2 percent is the religion followed by African people, a very traditionalist religion; and finally, there is a very small percentage following other religions or none at all.
There is also another interesting fact, which is certainly worth noting: in some areas and localities in Tanzania there are some people who, while being Christian and practicing their religion, choose to embrace some beliefs and customs of traditional African religions. There is, in this case, a kind of coexistence between the creeds in which it is, however, difficult to establish clear boundaries.
Another aspect deserves to be emphasized, and that is the fact that in schools the teaching of religion is not compulsory anyway, but it is allowed and must be decided and activated in cooperation between teachers and parent representatives, who very often volunteer their support in teaching. It is, however, necessary for students to declare their religion, and for Muslim girls to wear the kijab (but the niqab may not be worn).
As for the inmates, they too must register their religious affiliation, but this obligation is not so much a duty due to the control over them as it is due to the opportunity that is offered to the inmates to attend times of worship dedicated to them.
Breakdown of religions in Tanzania
The island of Zanzibar has a Muslim majority: this allows the population to refer to the Islamic courts with regard to aspects and issues involving family law or civil matters that can be brought under the control and exercise of the Islamic religion. Here religious freedom is guaranteed in that, as is the case in other parts of Tanzania, one can follow the creed one prefers with freedom of expression but at times it has been possible to witness incidents of tension between the Islamic and Christian communities and between secular and fundamentalist Muslims.
In addition to being followed by the majority of Zanzibar’s population (we are still talking about a very high percentage, close to 99 percent), Islam is widespread on the Indian Ocean coast and in some cases even in inland urban centers. The breakdown of Tanzania’s Muslims is as follows: Sunnis, with 14 percent of the population; Shiites, with 7 percent of the population; Ahmadiyya (about 6 percent of the population); and small groups of Ibadi, Ismailites, and Sufis.
Christianity is distributed as follows: the majority is Catholic (about 31 percent of the population); followed by Protestants, with 29 percent of the population, and Christians of other denominations (who, however, are a distinct minority, with 1 percent of the population. The Catholic Church is present with 7 metropolitan sees and 28 suffragan dioceses.
As for Protestants, the groups are mostly Lutherans, Baptists, Anglicans, Pentecostals, Methodists, and Adventists.
Orthodox and Jehovah’s Witnesses are also present, albeit with a very low percentage (like the Mormons).
As for other local religions, there are small groups that reflect the ancient traditions of the local people, who believe in a supreme Sio and in spirits. The latter in particular enjoy great respect from these populations, who, in many cases, try to maintain their relationship with the dead and spirits by also naming their children after an ancestor, as well as a Christian or Muslim name. These peoples believe strongly in disease and misfortune, which is why they turn to healers and spirits for protection and support.
Buddhists, Jews, Hindus, Bahai, are other small minority communities.
