CHAPTER 01 : OUR NATION

By the end of this topic, the student should be able to;

•  Analyse the components that make up our nation
• Identify Tanzanias national symbols
• Explain the significance of each national symbol.
• Identify Tanzanias national festivals and their significance.

KEY TERMS AND CONCEPTS.

• Nation: – A group of people who have some government, current, economy and history.
• Country: – Areas of land that has boundaries and in under control of government.
• Sovereignty :– The free that a country has to govern itself.
• Government: – Is selected or elected group of people who are responsible for controlling a country or state.
• People: – Persons who belongs to a particular country.
• Language: – System of communication mostly in speech and writing.
• Culture: – Customs and believes of a particular group of people
• National anthem: – The official song of a Nation.
• Currency :– System of money that a country uses
• Coat of arms: – This is government logo or emblem.
• National flag: – A piece of cloth with special colored designs
• Constitution: – A system of laws and basic principles that a state, country or organization is governed by.

Q. What is a Nation?

A nation is a group of people who have the same government, culture, economy and history. Examples of nations are Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Mozambique, Zambia, DRC, Rwanda and Burundi.

There are 54 nations in Africa.

COMPONENTS OF OUR NATION 

There are seven main components that make our nation. These components are

1. Country
2. Sovereignty
3. Government
4. People
5. Language
6. Culture
7. History
8. A COUNTRY

Is an area of land that has boundaries and is under the control of a government. Our country, the United Republic of Tanzania was formed on 26^th April 1964. On that day, Tanganyika and Zanzibar were unified to from one country. The total area covered by our country is 945,000km².

Tanzania is bounded the following countries;-

• Kenya and Uganda to the North
• Zambia , Malawi and Mozambique to the South
• Rwanda , Burundi and Democratic R.C. to the West
• The Indiana Ocean borders Tanzania to the East

SOVEREGHTY

Is the freedom that a country has to govern itself? This means that there is no external power that controls that country.

Types of sovereignty

(1) Internal sovereignty

Is where a country has the power to supervise all its internal affairs? Tanganyika became a sovereign state on 9^th December 1961 and Zanzibar got its sovereignty on 10^th Dec 1963.

(2) External sovereignty 

Is where a country has the freedom to form its foreign policy? Tanzania is a sovereign state.

It has both internal and external sovereignty.

(3) Government 

Is the selected or elected group of people who are responsible for controlling a country or

state . The government is the body of people which administers the sate and maintains law

and order? The government is a body which runs the sate machinery.

In Tanzania we use the republic system of government. This means that the country is led by a president and politicians who have elected by the people.

(4) PEOPLE 

Are the persons who belong to a particular country in 2006, the population of Tanzania was estimated to be 37,445,392 people .The Tanzania people have their own central government national language , common culture and history.

(5) LANGUAGE

Language is the system of communication, mostly in speech and writing that is used by the people of a particular society Tanzania has more than 130 tribes that speak their tribe’s languages but the national language such as Kiswahili is known as LINGUA FRANCA.

(6) CULTURE 

Culture refers to the customs and belief of a particular group of people. It also includes people art, way of life and social organization. Culture is the totality of people’s ways of life as they struggle to live, to continue living and to develop as a nation.

(7) HISTORY

History refer to the past events that occurred in the development of a nation .Tanzania as a nation has a long history that includes events from pre-colonial ,colonial and past –colonial times.

NATIONAL SYMBOLS 

A symbol s a sign that represents something else National symbols are signs which represent national. These symbols are very important as they serve as a reminder of our nationhood to us and to the rest of the worlds.

Our national symbols are

• The national anthem
• Uhuru torch
• The national currency
• The coat of arm
• The national flag
• The constitution
• The presidential standard

1. NATIONAL ANTHEM

The National anthem is the official song of the nation. It is played or sung on special events occasions, for example

1. Before and after the presidents addresses the nation
2. When the president is about to inspect a guards of honor
3. At the opening of international events such as football matches and conferences
4. When the president or vice – president visits another country
5. On the announcement of the death of the president
6. When the national radio and television stations start and their daily programmers
7. When the national radio and television stations start and end their daily programmers
8. When the national flag is being hoisted

SIGNIFICANCE OF OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM 

1. It is the identity of Tanzania outside the country
2. It makes Tanzania feel proud of their country
3. UHURU TORCH
4. The Uhuru torch is also known as independence Torch. It was first lit on top of Mount Kilimanjaro at midnight on 9^th December 1961.

This was the day Tanganyika got her independence from Britain.

Lighting the torch on the mountain was symbols. it symbolized the illumination of the whole country

• Freedom
• Bringing love where there was hatred
• Dignity where there was contempt
• Hope where there was contempt
• Hope where there was hopelessness

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE UHURU TORCH

• It symbolized freedom and light
• The promotes unity in the country
• The messages passed round the country during the Uhuru torch race encourage positive social, political and economic change.
• It promote s development

3. NATIONAL CURRENCY

Currency is the system of money that a country uses. Our national currency s the Tanzanian shilling. Currency is also called money. Money is used for measuring value , trading and paying for goods and services in a country

Tanzania money is in the form of notes and coins .The value of Tanzanian money is calculated in Tanzanian shillings.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE NATIONAL CURRENCY

• It is used in buying and selling
• T is a means of settling debts
• It is used to measure value

4. COAT OF ARMS

The coast of arms is the government Logo or emblem. It is the official seal or stamp of the government.

COMPONENTS OF THE COAST OF ARMS

Our coast of arms has twelve (12) components. These Components represent various interests, such as state power, economic based, national culture and history. Their components of coat of arm are:

1. Two human figures : The two figure, man and woman represent the people of Tanzania. The represent cooperation between men and women in order to bring about Development.
2. Two elephant tusks: These represent or national heritage in terms of wildlife
3. Shield and spear: These represent the weapons that were used by Tanzanians to resist colonialism. These weapons represent the readiness of the people to defend their independents.
4. Golden band on the upper part of the shield : This represents the mineral wealth of the country. Tanzania has many different minerals, including diamond, gold and Tanzanite.
5. Flame of the burning Uhuru torch.This is a symbol of freedom and enlightenment.
6. National flag : This represents Tanzania as an independent state.
7. Red band on the shield. : This represents the fertile red soil found in our country.
8. Crossed axe and hoe : These represent the tool which Tanzanians use to develop their country.
9. Sea waves;- These represent water bodies found in Tanzania. Approximately 62,000km2 of Tanzania as total area is made up of water bodies. This includes the Indian Ocean, river, lakes and swamps.
10. Peak of Mount Kilimanjaro; - This is the highest Mt in Tanzania and in Africa. This mountain is a source of price for Tanzanians.
11. Crops (cotton and cloves: At the feet of the man, there is a branch of a clove tree. At the feet of the woman there is a branch of a cotton plant these represent our cash crops.
12. The inscription UHURU NA UMOJA:- This means freedom and unity . It is the national motto of the United Republic of Tanzania.

Significance of the coast of arms

(a) It is used as a symbols of authority and the government official seal

(b) It symbolized our national culture and history

(c) It symbolized state power and economic bases

E: NATIONAL FLAG

The national flag is a piece of cloth with a special colored design. Our flag has four colors (green, golden yellow , black and blue).

(a) Green – represents the vegetation of our country

(b) Golden yellow – represents minerals wealth of the country

(c) Black – represent the skin color of Tanzanians

(d) Blue – Represents water bodies found in the country.

Significance of the national flag

(a) It is a symbol of our independence

(b) It symbolizes the water bodies in the country

F : CONSTITUTION

The constitution is a system of laws and basic principles that a state, a country or an organization is governed by it provides guidelines which the society must follow. Our country is ruled according to the constitution that was enacted (officially became law) in 1977.

Significance of the constitution

• The government value by the will of the people through the constitution
• The constitution is the basic law from which other laws are created
• Under the constitution there is separation of power between the legislature, the executive and the judiciary.
• The constitution provides for elections through which the people elect their representatives in the government
• The constitution gives people the freedom to enjoy their rights
• The constitution provides individuals with the mechanism to claim their right before the court of law.

PRESIDENTIAL STANDARD

The presidential standard is a flag which is used during official ceremonies where the president is in attendance. It has a green background with a blue border and the coast of arms in the middle.

The coat of arms on the presidential standard has no crops, human figures or the peak of mount Kilimanjaro.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PRESIDENTIAL STANDARD 

(a) It symbolizes the authority of the president

(b) It is a state symbol of the president

NATIONAL FESTIVALS ARE DAYS WHEN WE CELEBRATE 

National festivals are days when we celebrate important national events. Such days are usually public holidays. There are civil and religious national festivals and holidays. The government recognizes these days as days of national significance.

CIVIC NATIONAL FESTIVALS AND HOLIDAYS 

1. INDEPENDENCE DAY:

It is marked on 9^th Dec every year. Tanganyika got her independence on 9^th December 1961 and a year later she became a republic on 9^th December 1962. Government officials , including the president , address the people on this day

2. REVOLUTION DAY

On 12^th January 1964, the people of Zanzibar overthrew the sultans government .They formed a new government under the leadership of the late sheikh Abeid Aman Karume . Tanzanians celebrate Revolution day on 12^th January every year.

3. UNION DAY

On 26^th April 1964 , Tanganyika and Zanzibar united to form the United Republic of Tanzania Sheikh Abeid Aman Karume who was then the president of Zanzibar and was then the president of Tanganyika signed an agreement that united the two countries

They also mixed soil from Tanganyika and Zanzibar as a sign of Unification.

4. SABA SABA DAY

Tanganyika African National Union (TANU) the political party which mobilized the people of Tanganyika to struggle for independence was formed on 7^th July 1954. To remember this day , the government has established an annual trade exhibition which s held at Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere Grounds along Kilwa Road n Dar es salaam.

5. FARMERS DAY

This day is celebrated on 8^th August every year. It is also known as Nane nane day. On this day, formers and traders exhibit their agricultural products, farm implements and machinery. Each year one region in the country is chosen to host the national exhibition.

6. NYERERE DAY

Every 14^th October, Tanzanians remember the death of the first president of Tanzania Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere.

7. KARUME DAY

On 7^th April every year, Tanzanians commemorate the day , the first president of Zanzibar Sheikh Abeid Aman Karume was assassinated.

8. NEW YEARS DAY

This holidays fall on the first day on January every year. People celebrate the start of a new year. This is an international holiday.

9. MAY DAY

May day is an international holiday. It’s known as Labor Day. It is observed on the first day of may every year. They may day holidays result from the efforts of labor movements in many countries around the world. This day is set aside to celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers.

RELIGIOUS NATIONAL HOLIDAYS AND FESTIVALS 

1. CHRISTMAS DAY;

Is marked on 25^th December every year. On this day Christians remember the birth of Jesus Christ. Christians celebrate Christmas by having church services.

Boxing Day is marked on26th December every year. It is the day when Christians day. Christians continue their Christmas celebrations on this day.

2. GOOD FRIDAY AND EASTER MONDAY

The dates to mark these days change according to the Christian calendar. These dates usually fall between March and April. On these days, Christians commemorate the suffering of Jesus Christ, his death and his resurrection.

3. MAULID DAY

This is a day Muslims celebrate the birth of Prophet Muhammad. According to the Islamic calendar, Prophet Muhammad was born on 12^th Rabiut –Awal in 570 AD.

4. EID – EL – FITR 

This is the day Muslims celebrate the end of fasting during the holy month of Ramadan. The end of Ramadan depends on the sighting of the moon. On this day, Muslims give alms to the poor .They eat together and visit one another. It is one of the happiest days for Muslims.

5. EID –EL- HAJJ

This is the day Muslims celebrate the end of the pilgrimage to Mecca. On the day of Eid –el –Hajj, 10^th Dhul-Hajj according to the Islamic calendar Muslims slaughter goats and sheep and eat together.

SIGNIFICANCE OF NATIONAL FESTIVALS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS;

• These days mark important events in our country
• Celebration keeps the history of the country alive
• Leaders pass important information to the public
• Citizens meet and share views, experience and ideas
• Celebrating together enhancing unit
• Imparting the culture to Tanzanians of celebrating or commemorating important national events
• They help the leaders to identify problems in the society as the citizens highlight their problems through speeches and songs.

SUMMARY:

• A nation – A group of people who have same government, economy, culture and history.
• The components of a nation include country, sovereignty, government, people, language, culture, history.
• Sovereignty is ability of a nation to govern itself.
• There are two types of sovereignty these are External and internal sovereignty.
• A National symbol is a sign that represents something else.
• National symbols include National flag, Uhuru torch, and National currency, Coat of arm, Nation anthem, Constitution and presidential standard.
• National anthem identifies Tanzanians outside the country and torch is also called independent torch, it was first lit at top of Mount Kilimanjaro on 9^th December, 1961.