What happens when a hunter-gathering people --called Hadzabe (the second oldest people on earth, with a 50,000 year history) has hunting grounds that royal family members of a nearby oil-rich country want to use as their own private safari playground?
From a WaPo story telling the impact of the agreement made by the Tanzanian Govt with a United Arab Emirates safari company:
"If they are going to come here, we definitely will all perish," said Kaunda, a Hadzabe man who prefers khakis but still hunts with hand-hewn poison arrows. "Our history will die, and the Hadzabe will be swept off the face of the world. We are very much afraid."
Can concerned Americans pressure two foreign govts to do the right thing? I don't know, but I'm sure willing to find out. It will take less than 5 minutes (after reading a couple of articles). More details (and embassy phone numbers) under the fold...
From the WaPo article, which gives a good depiction of the impact and the clash of civilizations between the modern world and the Hadzabe people:
The deal between the Tanzanian government and Tanzania UAE Safaris Ltd. leases nearly 2,500 square miles of this sprawling, yellow-green valley near the storied Serengeti Plain to members of the royal family, who chose it after a helicopter tour.
A Tanzanian official said that a nearby hunting area the family shared with relatives had become "too crowded" and that a member of the Abu Dhabi royal family "indicated that it was inconvenient" and requested his own parcel.
The official, Philip Marmo, called the Hadzabe "backwards" and said they would benefit from the school, roads and other projects the UAE company has offered as compensation.
Another source of info, Afrol News, underscores Hadzabe willingness to go along with the deal, but not at the expense of the interegrity of the group:
According to the Hadzabe, they are seeking a way to negotiate a sustainable solution between themselves, the District Council and the UAE safari company, which will conserve nature, provide incomes from the sustainable use of natural resources, and nurture their unique cultural and knowledge systems in their aboriginal territory. The Hadzabe are not necessarily disputing the deal with the UAE, but are arguing that the deal should not put the Hadzabe at serious risk of displacement and cultural disintegration.
The players involved:
Hadzabe tribe. Hunter-Gatherers. Population believed to be 1500-3000 (various sources). They live in the Yaida Valley, a rural area of Tanzania. Their hunting land is encroached by poachers and agrarian populations. Resources becoming scarcer.
Philip Marmo: Spokesman interviewed for WaPo article. Tanzania's minister for good governance; represents the Yaida Valley in parliament. Cluelessly ethnocentric, according to WaPo quotes. Says of the Hadzabe: They are "the one backwards group in the country....We want them to go to school...We want them to wear clothes. We want them to be decent."
Tanzanian Government. Is leasing Hadzan hunting land to others, namely....
United Arab Emirates Safari, a company acting on behalf of royal family members...
Prince Hamdan bin Zayed; Mohamed bin Zayed, who is chief of staff of UAE Air force.
United Arab Emirates. Home to the royal family who find that sharing one hunting area is "inconvenient." According to Afrol, they "count on Tanzanian government support to drive out the Hadzabe"
Indigenous Peoples of Africa Co-ordinating Committee (IPACC) Group trying to mediate between the various parties
Hunter-Gatherer Forum of East Africa (HUGAFO) Group trying to mediate between the various parties.
. . . . .
Time for action! It should not take long, and it could really help! I don't know what kind of numbers might make a strong impression at embassies of both governments. I figure any "noise" will be significant.
Tanzanian Embassy in Washington, D.C.
Tanzanian Embassy web page
Phone number is +1 (202) 939 6125/7.
x189 is the extension of the Information and Tourism office.
I called, identified myself by name and location, and (politely) expressed my shock and sadness and disappointment at what their country is doing to its people. The man at the other end took note of my concerns.
It didn't take long. 5 minutes (and I found the right office for you, so it will take you less than that).
What will be the effect if they get dozens (and possibly hundreds) of calls?
United Arab Emirates Embassy contact page. (hours are from 9-4 eastern; they were closed by the time I called; I'll try on Wednesday and update this diary with any info about numbers, depratments, extensions.)
Another blog entry about this; I blogged it here.
If you call, please say so in the comments!