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Pongwe Pogwe

Coordinates: 5°07′30″S 38°58′26″E / 5.125°S 38.974°E / -5.125; 38.974
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Pongwe Pogwe
Village
Coordinates: 5°07′30″S 38°58′26″E / 5.125°S 38.974°E / -5.125; 38.974
Country Tanzania
RegionTanga
DistrictHandeni
WardKang'ata
Time zoneUTC+3 (EAT)
ClimateAw

Pongwe Pogwe is a Tanzanian village belonging to the ward of Kang'ata, Handeni District in the northern Region of Tanga. The local demonym is "Wapongwe" ("Samwepongwe" for men and "Mnamweponge" for women).

Geography

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In Pongwe Pogwe there is a natural spring water place called Kwekibaya. Kwekibaya is the only source of water for thousands of people and animals.

History

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Cultural beliefs

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It is believed that if a person not belonging to Wapongwe cleans the water source (the place where water is actually coming out to the surface), Kwekibaya dries out. If this happens, it is only a Wapongwe family member, in Wagongwe tradition, who can please the natural spring to give out water again.

Because of the importance of Kwekibaya, there is a chain of family leaders among the Wapongwe who guide the community in managing the Kibaya in particular and general resources such as deforestation issues (which forest is a reserved one). The last leader of wapongwe is Mkulago (1942-2006). Mkulago died on 28 April 2006 and laid to rest on 30 April 2006 in the Mtonga forest.

References

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