Wa-Iraqw,One of the Unique Tribe found in Tanzania but Originated from Mesopotamia/Iraq

    Wa-Iraqw or Wairaki are the largest ethnic-speaking community of Ethiopians and found in Manyara Region Mbulu districts, Babati, Hanang and in Arusha Region Karatu district.
The people of this tribe have ethnic backgrounds relationship with Gorowa, Burungi and Alawa who live in Babati and Kondoa districts. History takes us through oral tribal Iraqw, which says the source of generation comes from ancient people who were living in the area of ​​Mesopotamia or Iraq in nowdays.
Frequently War and conflicts led these people to leave their homes of origin in the fourth century to sixth after the birth of Christ. Iraqw crossed the Red Sea by boat and landing in Ethiopia, where they lived for a while and then continue moving towards the Southwest through the rift valley along Lake Victoria and set up the camp when they saw it is a safe area
Because they do not like war, continued migration fleeing war from different places when their trying to set up camp. They passed through the central route of Iramba Singida Region border of Dodoma and Iringa where they met with the struggle of Hehe, Nguni and Wazimba.
This situation forced to change the way and turn to the north to a place called part of Kondoa Guser Tuwalay and living area, while busy in farming and small-scale farming. However, a misunderstanding occurred between them and the peoples of Barabaig which led to war.
Although they were fearful of war but they designed the weapons of defense against war. They used spears and arrows carved with wood model of an iron spear used nowadays. They also used sharp stones and later discovered tools made by clay and dried with fire, blazing like a brick.
However Iraqw were defeated and refuge near Mount Hanang then divided the rest were heading up the mountain Dabil Guser and Gangaru where they made the tabernacle. Iraqw were the hierarchy leading from the family, clan, tribe and the whole society of Iraqw were dominated by Kahamusmo who is the chief leader. Lead by assistant called Yaabusmo.Each works for his position.

It is generally more affluent tribes to cooperate in various activities nation-building; “They were folk healers known by name to the entire community.Stories say that Iraqis were prominent leader in the name of Haymu Tipe who led an expedition to deploy his men in a safe area stabilized to satisfy their thirst to live in peace and build a community of love and solidarity.Haymu came a lake section and is said to have ordered his slave popularly known as Moya to shuttle the lake so as people can get enough area. Moya obeyed his leader then use magic to transfer the lake by shoot an arrow to the middle of the lake.
The Servant who alleged that he did and transfer the lake with him in the Rift Valley and now known as Lake Manyara and save Chirag they call “Tlawta Moya” aimed at maintaining the name of Moya. After the shift leader’s lake continued to live there with his men and continued scattered in areas like Muray, Kuta, Amoa, Kainam, suum, Datlaa, Tsaayo Mbulu.
Later on Iraqw  were scattered on parts of Karatu, Babati and Hanang as their safe lands until today. Some traditions and customs are similar to Jewish E.g Iraqw use sheep in the community especially for traditional ceremonies and sacrifice the same as Jewish tradition. Face and Skin color are indication that Iraqw originating from North Africa and the Middle East to be closer to the people of North Africa than Bantu and Maasai who live nearby and Iraqw.However Iraqw have interacted and intermarried with neighboring Bantu tribes and it was difficult to lose their color with Bantu. Now some people are no different from Bantu and can distinguish the unique of language with Semitic remarks and dwell so do Iraqw tribe have a completely different language and ethnic groups.
Also in their language there are similar words in Arabic. Example when Iraqw are using the word to mean water “maai” Arabs use the word “maa”. Temperatures in the language of Iraq is “hame” while Arabic is “hami”. One for Iraq and the Arab “Wak” and in Arab is wahed.Other terms are like “Aning” to Iraqw while in Arabic is “ana” it has, meaning of me. The word “difficult” for Iraqw is “gawit” while Arabic is “gawi”. From these examples it is clear that they can listen to each other Iraqw and Arabs than other Bantu tribes and Nilotic. Iraqw tribe are engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry
Their recipe originated with fire acquired through tree borer known as Bui and Daha where the fire is obtained by rub and course friction to occur. However they were left to rely on meat as a staple food and instead began to eat foods from grains especially after the start engaging with the cultivation of sorghum, millet, sorghum and cowpea was their vegetables.Grains were kept in the storehouse of nature known as Kuntay that developed in cattle faeces. It also leaves a kind of natural wood and ashes of the cow faeces were used in stored grain from insect attacks. The ashes of the leaves and grains combined and renders like existing drugs
These grains grilled using stone hand and flour was used for preparing meals especially the popular one soft as Xwante. It is like porridge and soups recover. Corn also is used to make alcoholic nature which serves as refreshments during traditional ceremonies.Traditional economy of Iraqw depends on farming, agriculture, and manufacturing of various agricultural tools and protection. There was no trading in cash but was exchanged property or livestock to equipment or tools. However, Iraqw now have changed some things in the form of their lives and spend money different dealers.As for the Iraqi tribes differ in customs with other ethnic groups especially in the upbringing of children, marriage, dress, dance and the whole system of daily life. According to Iraqw tribe a baby girl and boy is born and grows and taught good values ​​to live and work.
Mothers have the responsibility of teaching girls how to live with husband, raise a family and techniques to cope with modern life. The male child is taught by men from the training emphasizes the importance of having good morals, love and solidarity in society and independent approach to deal with different challenges as head of household.Iraqw are among groups that previously refused to send their children to school for fear that education from Western powers would lead to deviation or leaving their children their culture.However, now they have the awareness to send children to school even though there are still parents who withhold male children go to school so that they work mainly grazing while girls who enabled an early age so that parents can increase income through dowry. Iraqw had used the original order to maintain peace in the community.
Those who missed arraigned in courts traditionally where penalties were issued for customs procedures based on the type and seriousness of the offense. Before making judgment errors all happened in the community are discussed by a jury consisting of women and men who provide wise decisions.As in modern court, the Council of arbitration of the elders of Iraq gave the offender an opportunity to express themselves and defend themselves before giving judgment. If the suspect is a woman then women were given the opportunity to discuss the relevant offense if the offender is a male men discussed first before involving women offer a collective decision given life sentence and the entire community.
Those who missed arraigned in courts traditionally where penalties were issued for customs procedures based on the type and seriousness of the offense. Before making judgment errors all happened in the community are discussed by a jury consisting of women and men who provide wise decisions.As in modern court, the Council of arbitration of the elders of Iraq gave the offender an opportunity to express themselves and defend themselves before giving judgment. If the suspect is a woman then women were given the opportunity to discuss the relevant offense if the offender is a male men discussed first before involving women offer a collective decision given life sentence and the entire community. The accused were found guilty were fined proven customary known as “Dohho” or were ordered to pay compensation to the complainant. The accused who pleaded not guilty even though no evidence had been sentenced to isolation and communities Also in case there is no evidence that the complainant and the respondent were bound to prove that everything he says is correct. If someone lied curse struck the lion so it was very rare for someone to falsely swear that I held him curse him and his descendants. Iraqw used the roots and leaves of trees as a cure for various diseases.The roots boiled or crushing and mixed with water and given to patients and patient is said to drink the drug and recovered shortly. Like other Iraqi tribes have a rich history of culture, customs and practices that allow the Tanzania have been among the countries with great cultural heritage and antiquities.

Frequently War and conflicts led these people to leave their homes of origin in the fourth century to sixth after the birth of Christ. Iraqw crossed the Red Sea by boat and landing in Ethiopia, where they lived for a while and then continue moving towards the Southwest through the rift valley along Lake Victoria and set up the camp when they saw it is a safe area Because they do not like war, continued migration fleeing war from different places when their trying to set up camp. They passed through the central route of Iramba Singida Region border of Dodoma and Iringa where they met with the struggle of Hehe, Nguni and Wazimba. This situation forced to change the way and turn to the north to a place called part of Kondoa Guser Tuwalay and living area, while busy in farming and small-scale farming. However, a misunderstanding occurred between them and the peoples of Barabaig which led to war. Although they were fearful of war but they designed the weapons of defense against war. They used spears and arrows carved with wood model of an iron spear used nowadays. They also used sharp stones and later discovered tools made by clay and dried with fire, blazing like a brick. However Iraqw were defeated and refuge near Mount Hanang then divided the rest were heading up the mountain Dabil Guser and Gangaru where they made the tabernacle. Iraqw were the hierarchy leading from the family, clan, tribe and the whole society of Iraqw were dominated by Kahamusmo who is the chief leader.
Lead by assistant called Yaabusmo.Each works for his position. It is generally more affluent tribes to cooperate in various activities nation-building; “They were folk healers known by name to the entire community.Stories say that Iraqis were prominent leader in the name of Haymu Tipe who led an expedition to deploy his men in a safe area stabilized to satisfy their thirst to live in peace and build a community of love and solidarity.Haymu came a lake section and is said to have ordered his slave popularly known as Moya to shuttle the lake so as people can get enough area. Moya obeyed his leader then use magic to transfer the lake by shoot an arrow to the middle of the lake. The Servant who alleged that he did and transfer the lake with him in the Rift Valley and now known as Lake Manyara and save Chirag they call “Tlawta Moya” aimed at maintaining the name of Moya. After the shift leader’s lake continued to live there with his men and continued scattered in areas like Muray, Kuta, Amoa, Kainam, suum, Datlaa, Tsaayo Mbulu. Later on Iraqw  were scattered on parts of Karatu, Babati and Hanang as their safe lands until today. Some traditions and customs are similar to Jewish E.g Iraqw use sheep in the community especially for traditional ceremonies and sacrifice the same as Jewish tradition. Face and Skin color are indication that Iraqw originating from North Africa and the Middle East to be closer to the people of North Africa than Bantu and Maasai who live nearby and Iraqw.However Iraqw have interacted and intermarried with neighboring Bantu tribes and it was difficult to lose their color with Bantu. Now some people are no different from Bantu and can distinguish the unique of language with Semitic remarks and dwell so do Iraqw tribe have a completely different language and ethnic groups.
Also in their language there are similar words in Arabic. Example when Iraqw are using the word to mean water “maai” Arabs use the word “maa”. Temperatures in the language of Iraq is “hame” while Arabic is “hami”. One for Iraq and the Arab “Wak” and in Arab is wahed.Other terms are like “Aning” to Iraqw while in Arabic is “ana” it has, meaning of me. The word “difficult” for Iraqw is “gawit” while Arabic is “gawi”. From these examples it is clear that they can listen to each other Iraqw and Arabs than other Bantu tribes and Nilotic. Iraqw tribe are engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry Their recipe originated with fire acquired through tree borer known as Bui and Daha where the fire is obtained by rub and course friction to occur. However they were left to rely on meat as a staple food and instead began to eat foods from grains especially after the start engaging with the cultivation of sorghum, millet, sorghum and cowpea was their vegetables.Grains were kept in the storehouse of nature known as Kuntay that developed in cattle faeces. It also leaves a kind of natural wood and ashes of the cow faeces were used in stored grain from insect attacks. The ashes of the leaves and grains combined and renders like existing drugs.
These grains grilled using stone hand and flour was used for preparing meals especially the popular one soft as Xwante. It is like porridge and soups recover. Corn also is used to make alcoholic nature which serves as refreshments during traditional ceremonies.Traditional economy of Iraqw depends on farming, agriculture, and manufacturing of various agricultural tools and protection. There was no trading in cash but was exchanged property or livestock to equipment or tools. However, Iraqw now have changed some things in the form of their lives and spend money different dealers.As for the Iraqi tribes differ incustoms with other ethnic groups especially in the upbringing of children, marriage, dress, dance and the whole system of daily life. According to Iraqw tribe a baby girl and boy is born and grows and taught good values ​​to live and work. Mothers have the responsibility of teaching girls how to live with husband, raise a family and techniques to cope with modern life.
The male child is taught by men from the training emphasizes the importance of having good morals, love and solidarity in society and independent approach to deal with different challenges as head of household.Iraqw are among groups that previously refused to send their children to school for fear that education from Western powers would lead to deviation or leaving their children their culture.However, now they have the awareness to send children to school even though there are still parents who withhold male children go to school so that they work mainly grazing while girls who enabled an early age so that parents can increase income through dowry.
Iraqw had used the original order to maintain peace in the community. Those who missed arraigned in courts traditionally where penalties were issued for customs procedures based on the type and seriousness of the offense. Before making judgment errors all happened in the community are discussed by a jury consisting of women and men who provide wise decisions.As in modern court, the Council of arbitration of the elders of Iraq gave the offender an opportunity to express themselves and defend themselves before giving judgment.
If the suspect is a woman then women were given the opportunity to discuss the relevant offense if the offender is a male men discussed first before involving women offer a collective decision given life sentence and the entire community. The accused were found guilty were fined proven customary known as “Dohho” or were ordered to pay compensation to the complainant. The accused who pleaded not guilty even though no evidence had been sentenced to isolation and communitiesAlso in case there is no evidence that the complainant and the respondent were bound to prove that everything he says is correct.
If someone lied curse struck the lion so it was very rare for someone to falsely swear that I held him curse him and his descendants. Iraqw used the roots and leaves of trees as a cure for various diseases.The roots boiled or crushing and mixed with water and given to patients and patient is said to drink the drug and recovered shortly. Like other Iraqi tribes have a rich history of culture, customs and practices that allow the Tanzania have been among the countries with great cultural heritage and antiquities.
Iraqw have two kinds of traditional dances. Mosi inner drum that is wedding. This dance goes on a female child is married or boyfriend is married. As Mudeli popular songs sung during weddings aiming to congratulate the groom and the bride, and these songs sung by women. The second most popular dances like Gilo is played out an open area and is played every year at harvest time as a sign of joy and gratitude to God.
When placing a celebration of thanksgiving for the year, have Iraqw application procedure known as Slufay with Giriyda. Giriyda are songs known to apply good things and avoid bad things. Also songs like Sibeli is known to mothers for the purpose of giving thanks to God. Iraqw traditional dress is skin. These were smoothed skin renders properly sewn sheets, skirts or khanga.
The male garment was the same as that covered sheets. The female garment was small sheets renders skirts and scarves. Also men and women wore shoes made with leather. However culture wear traditional clothes has begun lost and now a large number of Iraqis wear normal clothes.

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