Tanzania's president crowned ‘Chief of all Chiefs’ at cultural festival

By Kizito Makoye

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania (AA) - Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan was crowned Wednesday with the new title of “Chief of all Chiefs” at the largest ever cultural festival organized by a union of traditional chiefs in the northern city of Mwanza.

During a colorful ceremony, the president was decorated with traditional Sukuma attire, including a leopard skin, and was presented with a spear and a shield to symbolize her power.

Hassan was also nicknamed “Hangaya” by the chief of the Sukuma tribe, which means “a morning shining star.”

Speaking during the occasion, she thanked the traditional chief for the honor they accorded her and promised them that she would work hard to bring development to Tanzanians.

“This is my first time to participate in this festival. I thank you for giving me this nickname, which will hopefully make me a real shining star,” she said

The president said the government has established a special fund for tradition and cultural development where for the first time in the history of Tanzania, the fund has been allocated with 1.5 billion Tanzanian shillings ($647,000).

She said the government is determined to widen cultural tourism potentials through a documentary she is still recording to market the country abroad.

The cultural festival is part of the President’s Royal Tour campaign which takes her to various destinations in the country to market tourist attractions.

Tanzania is one of the world’s best destinations for tourists, with breathtaking attractions

While tourism is a cornerstone of Tanzania’s economy, accounting for approximately 18% of the country’s GDP, let alone injecting 25% of the country’s foreign currency, critics say the country lacks an effective marketing strategy to woo tourists and increase government revenues.