The Hadzabe People

The Hadzabe are an indigenous ethnic group of Tanzania, of about 2,000 people, who live around Lake Eyasi in the Great Rift Valley. They are one of the last remaining groups of hunter-gatherers in Africa and have lived in the region for thousands of years. The Hadzabe have their own language, which is similar to that of the Kalahari Bushmen, culture, and their traditional lifestyle, which is different from the neighboring tribes. The Hadzabe people are known for their traditional hunting and gathering practices, which still use tools such as bows, arrows, and diggingsticks to this day. They collect honey, berries and other wild fruits and nuts. They live in small, semi-nomadic communities. Their social organization is based on small, extended families. The Hadzabe have a deep spiritual connection to their habitat. They have a living tradition of storytelling and music. Their traditional dances and ceremonies often involve the use of natural materials such as animal skins and feathers.

A visit to a traditional Hadzabe village begins before sunrise. Watch the local hunters demonstrate their hunting techniques and practices to attract and kill their prey. After having breakfast, you can visit the local markets and get to know typical Hadzabe handicrafts, and then take the opportunity to marvel at the variety of birds on a trip to Lake Eyasi.