Ugweno

Ugweno is located within Mwanga District, Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania, Africa, It is situated at 3° 39' 0" South and 37° 39' 0" East in Pare Mountains. The people who live in Ugweno are known as Wagweno and their common language is Kigweno.

History

The name Ugweno was derived from Taita and Voi tribes from Kenya. This happened during the time of migration to the pare mountains due to tribal wars between the Taita and Voi back in their homelands in Kenya. There is a theory that says before they had established the settlement in the Pare mountains, they first sent explorers. When the explorers returned to give feedback, they said 'Mringa ua khona', meaning the rivers produce thunder when flowing, and the name Ugweno was born. The Gweno people were a mixture of all those who came to make the beautiful mountains of Ugweno their home. Historically, Gweno ancestors came from Taita, Voi, Chaga, as well as Pare tribes. This is why you can find Gweno families with known roots from elsewhere, such as the Suya, Sangi and Wanzava families. A good example are the Odongo (and others) who were called by the Suya from Nguru mountain region of Tanzania to prevent conflicts.

Tradition food

Kirembwe is their main dish made by a mixture of banana and beans. The mixture is cooked using a clay port. It can be crushed to create a hard porridge that looks like a cake when it cools; this (Kirembwe) is normally used for breakfast. Sometimes the mixture is ground and water then added to it, making it porridge-like, this is what is commonly eaten as Kiumbo.

Economic

The area's chief produce is Coffee and banana. The area also produces maize and rice which is grown in the swampy plains.

Tourism attraction

Ugweno is situated in the pare mountains which gives a clear picture of the beautiful Lake Jipe. This lake is an inter-territorial lake straddling the borders of Tanzania and Kenya. On the Tanzanian side, it is situated within Ugweno while on the Kenyan side, it is located south of the village of Nghonji. The lake receives water from North Pare Mountain streams as well as Lumi, which descends from Mount Kilimanjaro. The lake's outlet forms the Ruvu River and the lake is protected by Mkomazi Game Reserve which is nearby. The lake is known for its endemic fish, as well as water birds, mammals, wetland plants and lake-edge swamps, which can extend for about 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) from Lake Jipe's shore.