Day Trip: Marangu Waterfalls Hike & Chagga Cultural Tour

As a day trip, CCS took our group to the Marangu village (near the Marangu gate and trail, on Kili, which I will be hiking in just a few weeks) in search of cultural exchange with the Chagga people. Chagga (Wachaga) is the tribe that settled around the Kilimanjaro region c. 1400 after immigrating across the dry, barren savannah in Kenya.

Our trip started with a glance at the magnificent, awe inspiring baobab tree (baobab...baobab...baobab...)

The tree was a lot bigger than I had previously understood. In Chagga culture (pre-colonial years) the tree was used both medicinally and for storage. It is a hollow tree and was used as: a jail, a house or a cellar. The leaves were cooked and eaten as vegetables and the fruit (high in vitamin C) was crucial to maintain the health of pregnant women. 

After our encounter with the arboreal giant of africa, we visited a local, authentic Chagga blacksmith. Some of us even got to learn the tricks of the trade which still uses the same methods to forge everything they make.

A plethora of small war spears and other craft items such as sickles, hammers, statuettes, and ebony carved tribal masks. Of course we all equipped ourselves with Chagga weaponry, but not without bargaining to get the best price. 

Just a little practice with a full size war spear. You never can be too prepared. . .

Following the visit to the Chagga blacksmith we visited a heritage site where the Chagga built a network of underground tunnels for use in times of war. 

The tunnels were exceptionally small, not more than a meter and a half in diameter. Occasionally they connected to a larger chamber where the tribemembers would live with their families and livestock. The tunnels are also stocked with ambush chambers hidden from the view of unsuspecting enemies. 

One tunnel branching, out from a main chamber, led to the mortuary; where the network connects with the rivers so that the enemies bodies could be washed away to sea without enemy tribes every being alerted.

Lastly, we were taken on a small hike down into a rift valley to find a waterfall. The path down the slope was more than steep and the wet clay-soil made for a deceivingly slippery walking surface. The guard rails between us and a 200 meter drop were less than adequate consisting of loosely attached saplings. 

Nevertheless we all made it down safely into the valley enjoying the cool air and water brought down from the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro. 

Of course a little further down we were able to take a swim in a small pool; Finally able to cool off from a long, warm day and an exhausting descent.