Ugweno

Ugweno (or ''Vughonu'' to its inhabitants) is located within the Mwanga District, Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania, Africa. It is situated at 3° 39' 0" South and 37° 39' 0" East in the Pare Mountains. The people who live in Ugweno are known as Wagweno (or ''Vaghonu'' to its inhabitants) and their common language is Kigweno (or ''Kighonu'' to its inhabitants).

History

The original inhabitants of this area are the ''Shana'' clan (or clan of blacksmiths). Even the name ''Ugweno'' is derived from a notably popular ''Shana'' ruler, known as ''Mghonu'', who ruled somewhere between the 13th and 15th century. A precise date is hard to establish given 'the great ''Shana'' disruption' when they were deposed of their rule. During his rule, the area was known as the Mountains of Mghonu as far afield as the Taita region in Kenya.

When the ''Suya'' clan migrated to the region; ambushed and wiped out almost all of the Shana clan, the origins of the name ''Ugweno'' was either less known or purposely forgotten by the new rulers. This led to various theories that claimed origins of this name. Some have claimed it was derived from Taita and Voi tribes from Kenya during the migration to the Pare Mountains due to tribal wars in their Kenyan homelands. Before they established settlements in the Pare mountains, they first sent explorers. When the explorers returned to give feedback, they said ''Mringa ua khona'', meaning the rivers produce thunder when flowing, and the name ''Ugweno'' was allegedly born.

The Suya clan was responsible for the expansion of the state of ''Ugweno''. Post 16th century, this state stretched as far south as Lembeni at its peak and is known as one of the great centralized political administration systems for indigenous communities in Tanzania.

The present day ''Gweno'' people are a mixture of all those who came to make the beautiful mountains of ''Ugweno'' their home. Historically, their ancestors came from Taita, Voi, Chaga, as well as Southern Pare tribes. This is why present-day ''Gweno'' families trace their roots from various areas, such as the ''Suya'', ''Sangi'' and ''Nzava'' families. A good example are the ''Odongo'' (and others) who were called by the ''Suya'' from the ''Nguru'' mountain region of Tanzania to prevent conflicts in ''Ugweno''.

Tradition food

''Kirembwe'' is their main dish - a mixture of banana and beans. The mixture is cooked using a clay port. It can be crushed to create a hard porridge that looks like a cake when it cools. ''Kirembwe'' is normally prepared for breakfast. Sometimes the mixture is ground and water added to it, making it porridge-like, this is what is commonly eaten as ''Kiumbo''.

Economic

The area's chief produce is coffee and banana. The area also produces maize and rice which is grown in the swampy plains.

Tourism attraction

''Ugweno'' is situated in the Pare Mountains with a clear picture of Mount Kilimanjaro and the beautiful Lake Jipe. This lake is an inter-territorial lake straddling the borders of Tanzania and Kenya. On the Tanzanian side, it is situated within ''Ugweno'' while on the Kenyan side, it is located south of the village of ''Nghonji''. The lake receives water from North Pare mountain streams as well as Lumi River, which descends from Mount Kilimanjaro. The lake's outlet forms the Ruvu River. The lake's shores are protected by the Tsavo West National Park and Mkomazi Game Reserve nearby. The lake is known for its endemic fish, as well as water birds, mammals, wetland plants and lake-edge swamps, which can extend for about 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) from Lake Jipe's shore.

References

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Populated places in Kilimanjaro Region