The Kwaya are a Bantu ethnolinguistic group based in the Mara Region of northern Tanzania, on the southeastern shore of Lake Victoria.
In 1987 the Kwaya population was estimated to number 102,000. They are found at Musoma district.as it's their original area of residence as the word musoma itself came from the word "Omusoma" which is the kwaya word meaning a portion of land projecting into the lake .and the name of their tribe came from a bird known as eagle.
The Kwaya of Tanzania are numbering 199,000 according Peoplegroups.org in 2025.
The Kwaya draw their name from the name mukwaya, which is what they call the fish eagle. According to Kwaya lore the fish eagle saved a child from starvation by bringing him food during famine. The people have traditionally moved to the hilly regions during times of war or other dangers. They now make their homes in the lower lying valleys. They are said to have originated from other tribes such as the Kwiregi, Kanadi and North-Mara. They continue to follow many of their traditional methods of livestock raising and agriculture, despite visits from Christian missionaries.
Europeans brought many of their own cultural and religious characteristics. Kwaya now participate in Christian weddings at a much higher rate. They also wear traditional European dress for the events. They enjoy increased access to metal cookware and other technologies previously unattainable.
The Kwaya inhabit a narrow strip of land along the eastern shore of Lake Victoria that extends from the Mara Bay to the Nariobo River. It consists predominantly sandy soil that is poor in organic material. The coastal plain rises eastward toward the Indian Ocean with low ridges, and exposed granite. It reaches 1000 feet in height. There is a long dry season punctuated by short rainy seasons from February-May and November-December, with total rainfall around 26 inches. Temperatures range from 55ºF-84ºF. As a result, vegetation includes coarse grasses, thorn trees, small bush acacia, and other shrubs.
Main carbohydrate staple(s). Maize, millet, sorghum; Ugali is the staple meal, it consists of maize meal in boiling water that is allowed to thicken into a porridge
Main protein-lipid sources. Chicken; Cattle and goats for their milk, sometimes for their meat; in other instances the Kwaya would kill antelope; fish play a large role in their diets, as access to Lake Victoria and Mara Bay provide many opportunities.
Inter tribal trade not apparent; the woman of each household is entitled to trade whatever she grows from her garden; it is custom for individuals to approach the woman, as she is seen as the sole possessor of these goods.
Meat is either shared and consumed on the spot or cured for short-term storage; Each compound has separate huts created with the sole purpose of storing carbohydrates. These are called granaries and the head of each compound will first build one for his initial wife, followed by the building of individual granaries for his other wives as they give him children. He will sometimes build one for himself.
Men are responsible with every aspect of livestock; they lead the animals to pasture for grazing, handle reproductive endeavors, give protection, sell them at market, butcher them, and even milk them. They are also responsible for what have become cash crops (sugar, tobacco, coffee, cotton). Women are responsible for the cultivation of food crops; keeping an elaborate garden with their co-wives and daughters.
Passed down in patrilineal fashion; remains with patriarch’s brothers and then down to the eldest son indefinitely.
Specified (prescribed or proscribed) sharing patterns:
Men are served their food first by their wives. Each compound shares all supplies, including between a man’s multiple wives.
Imongo (species of antelope) is never to be eaten by any Kwaya. The first origin story for this taboo arises from the tale of a man holding a feast for his relatives. His wife prepared various meats and served them to the guests, but kept the imongo meat and served it to her husband only after his relatives had left. Appalled at her greed, the man called back his relatives and informed him of the transgression, thus forbidding Kwaya to eat this cursed meat. The second story states the first ancestor of the Kwaya witnessed an imongo fornicating with a baboon, and decided never again to eat imongo after this shameful sight.
The traditional nuclear family usually consisted of a man, his wife, and 3 or so of their children; however, other wives (if the husband had them) lived in the same compound, meaning 10-15 people could live in one compound.
Birth intervals were generally enforced by a family’s ability to care for and nourish a child; this often meant birth intervals could grow to as large as 5-6 years.
Each compound averages between 2 and 5 huts, each containing a woman and her children, along with their father.
Each compound has a defined boundary marked by its fence; a small gate exists as the only entrance; boundaries of grazing and crop land are not as clearly demarcated.
Hexagonal compound; head of compound has his first wife’s hut directly across from the gate against the fence; the second wife has a hut adjacent; his eldest son, if married, will have a hut on the other side of his; each granary lies in between the huts; grown daughters who are unmarried have their own huts; common fireplace exists in center of compound.
Granaries, daughter’s huts, compound leader’s brothers can have their own huts.
The Kwaya traditionally sleep on the ground.
6 sub-tribes of Kwaya; each sub-tribe is made of separate compounds led by one elder male who lives with relatives of the same lineage.
Females marry for the first time between 14-16 years old.
The marriage bond in the Kwaya people is especially weak. Some data suggests that almost 50% of marriages end in divorce. One man had had 26 different wives, of which only 3 had married him as their first husband; 17 of the 23 previous divorcees had left this man within 3 years.
The average bride-wealth for Kwaya marriages is 10 heads of cattle and either a few goats or shillings. In many instances this agreement is not totally fulfilled, as many marriages are quite short and do not provide ample time for payment. Only in circumstances where the woman fails to provide a child to a man that has children with other wives can the bride-wealth be completely repayed.
Marriages are often blurred between in-groups and out-groups. In some instances, they occur between two members of different villages. However, it is considered ideal if a man marries his paternal cross cousin. Marriages between Kwaya and other tribes do not appear to be common at all.
The ceremonies begin with what can best be described as a bachelorette and bachelor parties. The women and men take part in a night-long ceremony of calling out to each other. The women show modesty and shyness until finally the two parties meet for a dance. The bridal feast is next, and is put on by the bride’s maternal aunt. She is responsible for preparing the bride’s garb, while the paternal aunt sacrifices and prepares a goat. Meanwhile the groom prepares a new hut for his bride and after the marriage ceremony, carries her there on his back.
In the past, parents or sometimes grandparents have arranged all marriages. With the advent of Christianity and other European influences, young adults are increasingly taking on this responsibility.
The deceased’s belongings would often be spread out amongst his relatives. Outstanding debts would be paid first, while his spear would go to the first born son. His land would go to his brothers, who would allow his wives to remain in the compound.
A Kwaya man can often have multiple wives. It is not altogether uncommon for his older sons to have sexual contact with his other wives. In cases such as this, the father is justified in killing his son, however, he is more often sent away to start his own compound or to live with his maternal uncle.
The Kwaya views have not been clearly outlined, but it appears they believe that the fetus comes from the father and begins it’s growth in the mother. There is only one father, however, as females often divorce and remarry, their female children often move with them. These girls can often call their mother’s new husband a variation of the term for father.
The mother receives the infant from the father and provides nourishment.
Cross cousins were indeed viewed as perfect and desirable spouses. This was because it offered an opportunity of occurring between closely related partners without the stigma of incest. The stigma was removed because often times the two marriage candidates would be from different clans. In the case of a male marrying his father’s sister’s daughter, he would have the added advantage of “making one’s group to grow” because resulting children would belong to the groups of the father’s father and the mother’s mother.
Extramarital sex is allowed and female partners are expected to consent to any marriage before they enter it.
Gifts between extramarital lovers must be discrete, but do exist. This could include a garment of clothing or fine feathers.
If mother dies the responsibility of raise children lies on the other wives of the widower. A father would not be likely to resume full care for the child, who would likely be raised by his mother’s sister.
The father of the recently born child is not to have intercourse with the mother or any of his wives for 3 days. After this period of time he is required to first have sex with the mother in order to “complete” the child’s birth. Failure to adhere to this rule could result in the child being exposed to curses.
Women who divorced and took along their children would remarry. This new husband would be called an inferior variation of the term father.
Sons show immense respect for their fathers. They are to keep a “respectful” distance at all times and are not to interrupt their fathers under any circumstances. On the occasion that their father returns from a trip away from the village, the son is expected to immediately grab his father’s walking stick and bring him a stool and water. In a strange twist, half-siblings are often shown more respect than full-siblings.
Cousins have especially comfortable relationships. They are able to play and joke throughout their lives.
Apparently cases of incest have occurred between brother and sister, and between father and daughter. These instances are rare and induce great shame for the entire family group. The offenders are then socially outcast and treated with contempt. The family also must hold a cleansing ritual.
Aunts and Uncles from the maternal or paternal side often take on large responsibilities for children, and as such this relationship becomes more parental in nature; however first cousins often enjoy close relationships with cousins. Grandparents are able to joke and play with their grandchildren.
Murder does occur between the Kwaya sub-tribes. In these instances, a judicial body is convened. This body has the opportunity to grant the victim’s family the right for blood retribution.
Disagreements over livestock theft are common. Arguments over outgroup infidelity by wives can also cause violent retribution. Small-scale warfare has broken out after land disagreements or perceived alliances between Kwaya sub-tribes.
There exist 6 sub-tribes of the Kwaya people. They have historically been peaceful with each other. During great difficulties, each tribe sends representatives to a council of elders to resolve issues before they become dangerous.
The eldest male of each compound can join together to form councils in times of emergency; otherwise the Kwaya are known for their lack of chieftains, dating back to the roots of their culture.
Post marital residence. Males will traditionally stay in their father’s compound until the circumcision ritual of their first son, which can occur as late as the father’s 35 year; once a woman is married she will move into the compound of her new husband.
Social interaction divisions (age and sex)
As expected from a culture that divides labor based upon sex, the men spend the majority of their time together just as the women do. This does not prevent the opposite sexes from interacting during leisure time.
Many Kwaya still practice polygyny as they see it as a sign of social status as well as a means to gain more resources and expand their lineage.
Rituals can last days at a time on special occasions; on an average day the Kwaya spend up to an hour preventing witchcraft.
Certain family members (i.e. maternal aunts) perform specific rituals (i.e. bridal feast); diviners are responsible for thwarting witchcraft and applying medicines.
Rituals to prevent and cure barrenness are commonplace and performed by a diviner. The mother must bury the afterbirth, and must do so in an upright fashion, as an upside down burial results in sterility from that point forward. After a child’s birth, it and the mother are secluded in the same hut for 3-4 days; during this period the father must abstain from intercourse with the mother and his other wives. After the seclusion, the mother ritually brings out the child, effectively introducing him to the world and vice versa. During the funeral of an elder, the man’s family will sleep in his hut for differing amounts of time; children sleep there 2 nights, women 4, and men 5.
Other rituals.
Menarche indicates an important event in female’s lives; she is to be isolated by her close relatives for 3-6 days, eating her own food and drink, and is not to cleanse herself until the end of that isolation; at this point the elder females take her to a large tree and help her cleanse her garments. Circumcision of males occurs only after their fathers had celebrated the elder feast; this meant that many times children aged 10-15 would undergo the ritual. Boys would try to hide their pain as a sign of their foray into manhood.
Males and males often perform the rites on their own sexes; however, male or female can take on the role of diviner who battles witchcraft.
Songs for each ritual exist and are passed down through generations; knife handles are often designed with geometric shapes.
Christian missionaries were astounded at the high divorce rate present in the Kwaya culture. Their main influence has been to Christianize the marriage ritual while placing more emphasis on monogamy and denouncing divorce.
In ancient lore, the Kwaya believed that death was succeeded by rebirth into the same world and the same body. Due to the treachery of a second wife, who killed the first wife as she reemerged from the ground, death is now seen as a final result. The dead are buried and are said to go to Nyombe, which is the spirit realm that exists in the ground.
A form of deism, whereby spirits are ubiquitous and often malicious; ancestors are believed to move on to another realm and not play a significant role in this world; charms are placed outside the home and carried on the person to prevent these malevolent entities from entering and causing harm.
Men keep very sort hair; women keep similarly short hair, some young girls braid their hair.
Necklaces are the most common kind of jewelry; most women wear tight necklaces made of white orbs; bracelets are common and can have small charms attached.
Diviners adorn themselves with feathered headdresses and often come equipped with shakes and rattles.
Males tend to wear simpler clothing, often devoid of jewelry but packing a knife in a holster around their waist.
The Kwaya do not acknowledge a strict system of sororate, but it is common. If a woman does not bear children or dies before giving birth, then her brother is likely responsible for returning her bridewealth. Many times this is not possible, so the brother decides to offer another one of his sisters to the widower.
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