VP demands promotion of Bujora Culture Centre | In2EastAfrica – East African news, Headlines, Business, Tourism, Sports, Health, Entertainment, Education

Vice-President Mohamed Gharib Bilal has directed the Ministry of Tourism and Natural Resources to document and promote the cultural activities performed at the Bujora Culture Centre so that it gains more international recognition. Vice-President, Dr Mohamed Gharib Bilal

Bilal attended the annual festival hosted by the Bujora Cultural Centre and Sukuma Museum in Magu District, an event designed to promote and celebrate the traditional and contemporary arts of the Sukuma culture.

He said apart from the Sukuma culture being used to generate income through cultural tourism, it should as well be embraced to teach the young generation to love and cherish the Tanzanian local traditions inherited from the ancestors.

The VP was of the view that for any country to thrive, it has to respect and promote cultural heritage and use them to bring the people together in peace and solidarity.

The festival which was attended by hundreds of representatives from the 52 sukuma chiefdoms witnessed the Vice-President being recognised and honoured as ‘Kiheka,’ meaning the most respected ‘Great Assistant Leader’ of the all assistant leaders.

“We have heard the request to have this centre well safeguarded and promoted internationally and my promise is that we will work on that important move,” he said.

The Director of the Bujora Cultural Centre and Sukuma Museum Fabian Muhoja said the theme for this year’s festival was designed to adress the “Fight against poaching, drug uses as well as participation in the making of the new constitution.”




He said the week long annual event is also being used to thank God for good harvests of food to the Sukuma community, apart from promoting peace and tranquility among the Sukuma people in the entire Lake Zone.

Chairman of Serengeti Breweries Limited (SBL) Board of Trustees, Mark Bomani, who are among sponsors said the colourful event brought together 52 chiefs from all Sukumaland whose principle obligation is to preserve and safeguard Sukuma morals.

Mwanza Regional Commissioner (RC), Evalist Ndikilo, said the centre might contribute immensely to the national economy if well promoted, asking for the concerned Ministry to work on the matter.

The Bujora Cultural Centre and Sukuma Museum in Kisesa are historical institutions founded for the education and support of Sukuma culture and the arts of the Sukuma culture are among the richest in East Africa.

As the Sukuma people are the largest cultural group in Tanzania, the Sukuma culture is dispersed throughout the country.

The heart of Usukuma is in the Lake Zone of Mwanza, Shinyanga and the Mara regions where the legacy of a rich art tradition is now maintained.

By PIUS RUGONZIBWA, Tanzania Daily News