Karagwe District

The present day Karagwe district in Tanzania, was part of a greater kingdom called the Karagwe Kingdom. The Karagwe kingdom was part of the many Great Lakes Kingdoms, in East Africa. Like many other Great Lakes kingdoms, the Karagwe people, known as Abanyambo, claim inheritance from the ancient Kitara empire, ruled by a dynasty known as the Bachwezi.

The first indigenous leader of Karagwe kingdom before the coming of Ruhinda's generation was Nono Marinja (Nono ya Marinja). This indigenous leader was from one of Nyambo clans "Abasiita". His clan was therefore the luring clan before Hamtik's arrival in this centralized state in the interlacustrine region.

The Karagwe kingdom reached its apex during the 19th century. Archaeological evidence suggests that growth occurred during the early part of the 1800s. King Ndagara came to power around 1820 and ruled until 1853, at which time he was replaced by Rumanyika. The area has strong linguistic and historical ties to the Bugandan states to the north and to central African symbolic forms.[1]

Near the end of the 18th century, Karagwe's prosperity became well known and traders came to barter salt, pepper, oranges, copper, and millet for local goods. Around 1800, beans and cooking bananas were introduced from Uganda. Early in the 1840s, Arabs arrived and trade flourished, especially the slave trade. The cowrie was introduced as hard currency and many new crops were introduced (e.g. sweet banana, tomatoes, maize, cassava, pawpaw, vegetables and citrus fruits).

Throughout the 1890s, Karagwe was ravaged by local wars, epidemics, and pests. The outbreak of rinderpest and smallpox reduced human and livestock population. Tribal wars were eventually settled by the German authorities in Bukoba). Around 1900, commercial coffee growing was introduced by the Germans, which was further developed under British rule. Coffee production was mainly sold in Great Britain. In 1935, coffee processing industries in Bukoba were established by the Indians. During and after the Second World War, the first farmer associations were established and many farmers migrated from Bukoba to Karagwe. During the late 1990s, 165,000 refugees from Rwanda were divided over five camps in the Karagwe District. Other agricultural products that are at its peak are NANASI from Kagutu village, Chanika village, and other places though in a small scale.

There are many sub-groups but the main tribe in Karagwe is Nyambo, who call themselves Abanyambo. They can also be referred to as Wanyambo and they speak Kinyambo.

Karagwe District is administratively divided into more than 20 wards, these include:

1 Bugene

2 Bweranyange 3 Igurwa 4 Ihanda 5 Ihembe 6 Kanoni 7 Kayanga 8 Kibondo 9 Kihanga 10 Kamagambo 11 Kiruruma 12 Kituntu 13 Ndama 14 Nyabiyonza 15 Nyaishozi 16 Nyakahanga 17 Nyakakika 18 Nyakabanga 19 Nyakasimbi 20 Rugu

• Karagwe District page at United Republic of Tanzania Gateway
• Karagwe Diocese