17/01/2024
The Zaramo are the largest ethnic group in and around Dar es Salaam. Their settlement there was due to a raid conducted in Dar es Salaam by the Akamba of Kenya.
In the early 19th century, the Akamba in their pursuit of trade and new settlement areas, carried out an assault on Shomvi people who lived in the present day Dar es Salaam.
Unable to defend themselves, the Chief of the Shomvi requested for help from Kimbamanduka the chief of the Zaramo who lived in the interior of Tanzania.
Consequently, Kimbamanduka organized a large group of Zaramo warriors and traveled with them to Dar to counter the Akamba who were almost exterminating the Shomvi.
The Akamba were defeated and fled back to Kenya while others remained in Dar after surrendering.
Following the victory Kimbamanduka and his group of Zaramo warriors demanded to be paid but the Shomvi were not able to fulfil their promise to them.
However as a sign of appreciation, the Chief of Shomvi offered to give them the rights to settle and collect taxes in parts of what is today known as Dar es Salaam.
That's how the Zaramo settled in Dar. The Akamba who surrendered during the battle are now considered a clan of the Zaramo ethnic group. The clan is simply called "Akamba" and has retained Akamba names such as Mutiso and Mueni which are very common.
