Monduli District – History, People, Economy, Wildlife and More
The Monduli District is among the seven districts that make up Tanzania’s Arusha Region. It is situated in the country’s northeastern region. The neighboring districts are Longido to the north, Arusha Rural to the east, Manyara Region to the south, and Ngorongoro and Karatu Districts to the west. The district’s administrative center is Monduli town. As per the Tanzanian National Census of 2002, Monduli District has a population of 185,237 people. In 2012, the district’s population was 158,929. As the Longido District was broken off, the population dropped.
History of Monduli Tanzania
Monduli district was named after the Monduli Juu ward. During the German colonial era, there was a rich Maasai ancestor named Monduli who resided in the region. The area (later Burundi, Tanganyika, and Rwanda) was colonized by Germans in the 1880s. They introduced land alienation and forced labor as well as Christianity and European education, which included math, engineering, science, German, and even math. Tanganyika became independent on 9 December 1961, under Prime Minister Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere‘s leadership. Zanzibar, previously a British protectorate, and Tanganyika merged in April 1964 to establish Tanzania, which was led by President Julius Nyerere.
Monduli Subdivisions
Constituencies
The Arusha Region is split into constituencies. Monduli District had just one constituency by the time the 2010 elections were held, Monduli Constituency.
Wards
Monduli District is split into 20 administrative wards by 2012:
Engaruka
Esilalei
Engutoto
Makuyuni
Mswakini
Mtoto wa Mbu
Majengo
Lolkisale
Lepurko
Monduli Mjini
Monduli juu
Moita
Migungani
Leshaine
Sepeko
Selela
Naalarami
Geography of Monduli
The Monduli District is located near Arusha and the Meru mountain. The area is traversed by the Monduli Mountains. Plain terrain, mountains, and rainforest may all be found in the area. Among the Monduli Mountains is the iconic Ol Doinyo Lengai, a volcano given a Maasai name meaning Mountain God. This volcano is a spectacular geographical symbol and is highly revered, Maasai people.
Tourism in Monduli
The District is a renowned tourist attraction. The plains and hills may be explored while seeing wildlife. People frequently travel to the region to observe the Maasai culture firsthand. They will go on a trek with a Maasai resident and spend the night in a Maasai boma. Every Saturday in Monduli Juu village is the Red Market where villagers may buy everything they require, including animals, food, and clothing. Ngorongoro crater, Lake Manyara, the Serengeti, Mount Meru, and Kilimanjaro are all popular tourist destinations in the area. These additional attractions serve to market the Monduli region and draw visitors to the area.
People
The District is home to the Maasai community. They are nomadic pastoralists who keep cows and sheep. Maasai and Swahili are the primary languages spoken. A considerable percentage of the population engages in some form of farming in addition to pastoralism, and some still live in mud huts. They are kind people that live in harmony with one another. During the day, the men and teenagers wander the fields with the animals, while the women take care of the children and cultivate. Maasai dancing is an important aspect of the culture of the region and its dwellers. The men in the region have a higher level of authority over their families. There are around 4.6 million animals in the region, the bulk of which are cattle.
Monduli’s Famous People
- Sokoine, Edward Moringe
- Lowassa, Edward Ngoyai
- Sanare Erasto Loata
- Kalanga Julius
- Sokoine Namelok
Religion
The district’s predominant religion is Christianity, as well as tribal beliefs.
Economy of Monduli
Agriculture is the area’s most important economic element, accounting for 45 percent of GDP. Both peasant and commercial farms are included in this category. Tourism is the second-largest sector of the economy, accounting for over 20% of the area’s GDP. The GDP of the area accounted for around 4.5 percent of Tanzania’s GDP in 2007.
Education in Monduli
Monduli town serves as a regional educational hub. Orkeeswa, Irkisongo, Engutoto, and Moringe Sokoine Secondary schools, as well as the MaaSae Girls Lutheran Secondary school and Monduli Teachers’ College, are all located there. At Makumira close to Arusha, land has already been put aside for a planned branch of Tumaini University, which was founded by Lutherans. The Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF) Military Academy is also located in the area. Ngarash, Sinoni, Mlimani, and Mazoezi elementary schools are among the several primary schools in Monduli. Except for the recently founded in 2015, a primary school is found in practically every village and almost all wards have high schools for ordinary level. Education is vital, yet it has been a challenge to educate all of the children because many of them labor in the fields with their families herding their cattle.
Wildlife in Monduli
The Monduli area is home to a diverse range of wildlife. They include elephants, wild boars, and hyenas. There is a plethora of insect life.
Health
Diseases are an issue in this area. Malaria is one of the various diseases that people suffer from. Mosquito-borne infections are the most common and hardest to avoid. Mosquitoes, however, are less prevalent due to the area’s high altitude. There is one hospital and health center, as well as 22 dispensaries in Monduli.
Other Important Things to Know About Monduli
- Lake Natron Monduli Tanzania – Due to its salty environment, Lake Natron near Monduli, Tanzania, is one of the least habitable places on Earth.
Monduli District Map
For more articles related to regions of Tanzania click here!
