WATER USE BY THE CHAGGA ON KILIMANJARO

Abstract

ON THE SOUTHERN SLOPES OF KILIMANJARO, the Chagga people have developed one of Africa's most impressive systems of water management. It consists of numerous channels, generally called furrows, which convey water from streams and springs along the steep slopes of river valleys, to densely populated interfluves. The installations are substantial, involving 1800 km of main channels and an estimated throughput of 200 million cubic metres of water annually. l The furrows enable farmers to use the mountain's permanent water resources throughout the year, thereby providing protection against droughts and stabilising food production. In addition the furrows provide a convenient supply of water for a variety of domestic purposes where standpipes are scarce. A number of studies describe how the system functioned prior to 'villagization', when the furrows were still owned and managed by localized lineages.2 However little has been written about the modern organization and use of the furrows. Research for this article suggests that continuing local control over the furrows has ensured the survival of the central traditions governing distribution and maintenance. The furrows are increasingly valued as a means of earning cash from irrigated vegetable gardening.