On my search to learn more about where I come from I was fascinated to learn that dancing is a huge part of the Sukuma tribe especially my group of people, Bagika. I am Sukuma from Mwanza!

Jan 2021, I went to visit the Sukuma Museum in Mwanza. Here I am sitting in the chief’s chair, wearing traditional head piece and armor.

If you know me you know I absolute love to dance. My daddy taught me to dance ‘Ndombolo’ from the time I could walk and according to him I was named after Jocelyne Béroard. (She is a Martinican singer and songwriter. She is one of the lead singers of the Zouk band Kassav'. As a solo artist, she helped create zouk, a music genre started by Kassav'.)

So you are picking up what I’m putting down, right?.... music and dance is within me. And even thought I have no coordination and was rejected from every dance troupe I auditioned for, I don’t stop. I have rhythm and I dance to my own music. I digress.

The Sukumas, are renowned nationwide for their pulsating dancing. Dancers are divided into two competing dance societies, the Bagika and the Bagulu, that compete throughout Sukumaland which is still held every June called Bulabo Dance Festival at the Sukuma Museum.

The most famous of the dozens of dances are those using animals, including the Bagulu’s banungule (hyena and porcupine dance) and the Bagika’s bazwilili bayeye (snake dance). Before beginning, the dancers are treated with traditional medicines to protect themselves from injury. The animals, too, are given a spot of something to calm their tempers. Check out our private viewing of the Bagika’s bazwilili bayeye (snake dance) on my Instagram . These are my people.

The Sukuma tribe is largely located in Mwanza. Mwanza also known as Rock City is located on the southern shores of the second largest lake in the world and largest lake in Africa- Lake Victoria. Lake Victoria is stunning and it’s blueish waters gives a sense of mystery- what’s in there?

A majority of people living in and around Mwanza are fisherman and go out daily with their nets hoping for a big catch. Common fish found in these waters are the Nile Perch, Tilapia and Sardines.

The nickname Rock City was rightfully named because everywhere you look there are rocks. From the minute you get off the plane all you see is massive boulders. The landscape around the city is very uneven and quite rugged. To me the most beautiful part of Mwanza is the architecture. People have mastered building their homes and businesses in the most rocky and steep areas.

Though time didn’t permit here is a little travel FYI, the NE entrance of the Serengeti is only 2 hours away. So on your future trip to Tanzania consider visiting Mwanza before or after your safari games trip.

Sukumaland, Mwanza, Tanzania