Introduction
The
Wazinza (Zinza Tribe) are found in the Northern part of Sengerema District and Northern
East of Geita. The most known place that occupy large number of the Zinza
people is Kome Island. The Zinza are not a numerous tribe in Tanzania they
originated from the western part of Uganda in bunyoro area. They migrated southwards
through Karagwe and eventually they reached Geita but in other there are those
who risked their lives and navigated through Lake Victoria to northern part of
Sengerema District. Probably this took place in the 14th and 15th
centuries or there about[1].
The
wazinza were blacksmiths and fishers that is why they choosen to settle in
Geita and Sengerema part around the Lake Victoria because the area favoured
them to live there because of the resources which they used to facilitate their
works and their daily life in General. These who settled Geita they choosen so
because there were iron ores in large extent which they smelted to get iron.
With iron they made how, spears, arrows and other implements.
The
Wazinza and the God
The
Zinza people like many other African tribes believed on the existence of
supernatural who was the creator of the world and the universe and what exists
in this universe. This creator was referred to many names like “Nyamuchanga”
the creator, “Rugaba” the giver, “Kazobha” the one provides light and “Omukama”
the king[2].
Not only that, the Zinza believed on Nyamuhonga/Rugabha or Kozobha as their
head of each and everything they also believed on the existence of originating
from their already died ancestors.
The
Zinza on their already died ancestors they believed that their ancestors died
in true but it was the only body died and their soul remained, which was able
to demand certain things from its living relations. For example, the names of
the deceased persons had to be given to the ground children. But if this was
not fulfilled the ground children would fall sick or even night but this force
exists even nowadays that the new body born can be carrying the whole night but
ones he/she will be given/called the name of ancestors she/he will stop crying.
If the new born died even some sacrifices had to be offered to the died to
appease for their ruth.
The early mode of
worship of the wazinza (Zinza tribe)
The
Zinza people also believed in certain spirits which were regarded as clan
protector called “Omusambwa” singular, Emisambwa” plural. These Misambwa were
the place where their worship took place where the elders of the clan used to
offer sacrifices of cattle, goats and sheep and alcoholic drinks especially the
one made from bananas and Sogham/millet called Rubisi[3].
The Misambwa are big trees where offerings took place surrounded with bushes
which were never cut except the day of offering which were the day allowed to
correct firewood by women from the bushes surrounded the big tree while the men
elders continuing with offering and enjoying the day. This act of collecting or
taking out firewood from those bushes was stopped immediately when the elders
went out from those bushes as sacrifices and pleasing of the clan spirits was
over.
These
clan protectors “Emisambwa” were believed and they are still believed by the
Zinza tribe that, if someone did wrong to the clan or among of the clan
members, the clan immediately arranged the day of offering as the day of
expressing their problem to their protector[4].
But it was believed and it is believed that if someone is truly did such a
thing to that clan, the clan of wrongdoers were to die catastrophically while
leaving the doer alone until the wrongdoer went and asked for forgiveness and
pay ransom. The “Misambwa” were strictly used for revenge for the wrongdoer but
for genuine the clan were/is punished by their own “Msambwa” strongly for
reckless use. For this reason the Wazinza lived and are living a very
disciplined life because of fearing each other within the Zinza Community.
Who is God to the Zinza
The
Zinza themselves from the first they were having the Knowledge about the
existence of supernatural power (God) that they referred him as Kazibha
Nyamuhanga and Rugabha. Sometimes the Zinza depended to their died ancestors to
act as their messengers to God or the supernatural powers. There is an early
statement of Zinza that states that “Si Ntuhicha Tuta kwiliga ochiniga cha
Nyamuhanga?”[5]
that how will as be able to escape the angry of God? But the statement is also
answered by saying that “Rugabha wanyini niwe alikumanya obhwokubha niwe
nyatuhangile kandi wonyini abhomuganyizi”[6]
that God knows himself because he created us and he is sympathy.
Conclusion
The
Zinza tribe believed on the existence of God in very early period before the
coming of whites to spread their Christian religion. The Zinza tribe way of
worship was good and it is good since there is no favouratism of one side while
the other side is suffering a full of miserable life. Also the Zinza on the
idea of God that were present they succeeded to maintain peace within
themselves and trustshep among them within the community. Although nowadays the
Christian religion is dominating the society.
References
Tilutegekwa,
A. Okubhanza Kwe Ensi: Dar es Salaam, Mkuki na Nyota Publishers Ltd, 1989.
Kawegele, F. Enaku
Zomtamizi: Mwanza, n. p, 2002.
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