Pwani – In the village of Kazole, a quiet community in the Mkuranga district, a group of young people have challenged the long-standing criticism of their traditional customs, arguing that the practices are misunderstood by outsiders and play a vital role in shaping responsible adults.
Their conversation, held on March 8, 2026, marked the fourth and final episode of the “Dira Mtaani: Vijana Wanasemaje” series, a project by The Chanzo and the European Union Delegation in Tanzania.
The discussion centred on the controversial practice of unyago, a traditional initiation ceremony for girls common among coastal communities in Tanzania. While often criticised by officials for being a financial burden and a distraction from formal education, the youth of Kazole presented a different perspective.
They argued that the ceremony is a crucial institution for imparting moral and practical education.
“The main purpose of the ceremony is to teach two things: discipline and cleanliness,” explained Abubakar Seif Sobo, a young man who demonstrated a deep knowledge of the tradition. He argued that the criticism stems from ignorance of what the ceremonies actually entail.
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“There is no elder who teaches a girl to be promiscuous,” he added. “The problem is globalisation and the girls themselves who lack self-respect after being tempted with money and gifts, not the ceremony.”
His point was powerfully reinforced by Irene, a university graduate who had herself been through the unyago ceremony. “I went through the ceremony, but I have also studied and earned my degree,” she stated.
“It did not affect my education in any way,” she added. “The values I was taught there, I left them there. When it came to my education, I focused on my studies.”
The youth also highlighted the economic dimension of these cultural events. They described a system of reciprocal gifting known as kutunzana, where community members contribute money to each other’s ceremonies.
This system, they explained, functions as an informal micro-financing scheme, helping families to raise capital for the events and strengthening social bonds.
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“It’s an opportunity,” said one participant. “If I contribute Sh10,000 to your event, you are expected to contribute Sh20,000 to mine. It’s an investment.”
Beyond the debate on tradition, the conversation also touched on the anxieties of a generation grappling with global uncertainties. The youth expressed concern about the impact of geopolitical conflicts on their lives, particularly the disruption of global supply chains and the rising cost of imported goods like fuel and sugar.
“When the situation out there is bad, I don’t think anyone will be able to come here to invest,” one participant noted, fearing that a lack of foreign investment would lead to fewer jobs and an increase in crime.
In a striking metaphor, Abubakar urged the Tanzanian government to be cautious in its international partnerships. “The government must be careful when choosing an in-law (mkwe), lest the in-law turns into a funeral mat (mkweka),” he warned, suggesting that ill-chosen foreign alliances could bring ruin rather than prosperity.
Despite these anxieties, the overwhelming sentiment was one of optimism. The youth of Kazole expressed a strong belief in a better future for Tanzania, citing the country’s ongoing infrastructure development, such as the new flyovers and the electric train, as evidence of progress.
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Their vision for the future, however, is not one that discards the past. It is a future where personal aspirations—for a good house, a reliable car, and a quality education for their children—are achieved within a framework of strong cultural identity and community values.
The full, edited talk from Kazole was published on The Chanzo’s YouTube channel on March 17, 2026, concluding a series that has provided a rare and insightful glimpse into the hopes, fears, and complex realities of young Tanzanians today.
