TANZANIA

Eid al-Fitr

Culture

One of the most important religious festivals in Tanzania, Eid al-Fitr is the Muslim holiday that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Following a month-long fast, Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr by giving charity to the poor and feasting with family and friends. The Eid festival usually occurs sometime in June each year.

Diwali

Culture

Diwali, also called Deepavali, is the Hindu Festival of Lights. Celebrated by Tanzania’s Indian community, Diwali falls between the months of September and November each year, depending on the Hindu calendar. The five-day festival sees many locals decorate their homes with lights, exchange gifts and sweets with loved ones.

Unification Day

Culture

April 26 is an important day of the Tanzanian calendar. On this day in 1964, the Zanzibar islands joined Tanganyika in 1963 to become the Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, which later became known as the Republic of Tanzania. Cities all around the country celebrate with street parades, flag waving and eating lots of Tanzanian foods.

Zanzibar International Film Festival

Film

Mzalendo Halisi Music Festival

Music

If you love African music, make sure you get yourself to Tanzania in May. Held over two days, the Mzalendo Halisi is a music festival that showcases traditional Tanzanian music. Happening every year in Kigitonyama in northwest Dar es Salaam, this festival features local performers, as well as Tanzanian art and cultural exhibitions.

Ugali

When it comes to local cuisine, nothing is more quintessentially Tanzanian than ugali. Made using maize flour that is boiled until it forms a dough-like consistency, ugali is eaten with almost every meal in Tanzania. From being mixed with fruit to accompanying spicy curries, you can try ugali in a variety of ways at the Universal Classic Restaurant in Arusha.

_{Best eaten at
Universal Classic Restaurant, Between Azimio Street & Swahili Street, Arusha}

Nyama Choma

A staple of East African cuisine, nyama choma is a favourite of all Tanzanians. Literally translating to “roast meat,” nyama choma is typically made using goat, which is marinated, skewered and barbequed until tender. Often served with tomato salsa called kachumbari, you can pick up a plate of nyama choma at Khan’s Barbeque in Arusha.

_{Best eaten at
Khan's Barbeque, Mosque Street, Arusha}

Pilaf

With its Indian origins, pilaf has quickly made a place of its own in Tanzanian cuisine. Rice is the main star of this dish, which is flavoured with stock, vegetables, meat and spices. Usually served with saffron and kachumbari during celebrations, you can taste this mouth-watering dish at House of Spices in Zanzibar.

_{Best eaten at
House of Spices, Kiponda street, Stone Town, Zanzibar}

Biryani

Similar to pilaf, biryani is another iconic Tanzanian rice dish with Indian roots. The major difference between biryani and pilaf? While all the ingredients for pilaf are cooked together in the same pot, the biryani rice is cooked separately to the meat and the sauce, which are then combined at the time of serving. Pick up a plate of this tasty dish at Chef’s Pride in Dar es Salaam.

_{Best eaten at
Chef’s Pride, Mchafukoge, Dar es Salaam}

Ndizi kaanga

What are otherwise known as green bananas, plantains grow in abundance all over Tanzania. One of the country’s favourite ways to cook this delicious fruit is by frying them to create Ndizi kaanga. Soaked in lemon juice, fried in butter and oil and sprinkled with sugar, this street food will quickly become your favourite Tanzanian snack.

_{Best eaten at
Street vendors in Zanzibar}