The mainland known as Tanganyika achieved independence from the British on 9 December 1961, and it became a republic within the Commonwealth. After the merger of the mainland with the colonised islands of Zanzibar and Pemba in 1964, the area was named as the United Republic of Tanganyika, and later the United Republic of Tanzania. Under the leadership of its first president Julius Nyerere, the country’s economy was nationalised.
Tanzanian music is known for its strong rhythm and lyrics. The Taraab music, a fusion of Swahili tunes interspersed with Islamic melodies, forms an important part of the social life of the Swahili people. The folklore, the traditional ‘ngomas’ and the dancing styles vary from one tribe to another.
Tanzania lies on the eastern coast of Africa and is bordered by Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, Congo, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique. The Indian Ocean lies to the east of the country. The Tanzanian mainland is made up of coastal plains with tropical vegetation; the Masai Steppe in the north, and a high plateau in the southern area. Over half the country is covered in savannah and the remaining area, except for the coastal region, is occupied by semi-deserts.
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