Luguru land and lineages

Abstract

The Luguru of Morogoro District-, now numbering approximately 200,000, are a matrilineal people on whose indigenous segmentary political system is superimposed the typical system of Chief, Sub-Chief and Headman. The indigenous system has, however, continued to dominate matters pertaining to land, the tenure of which is discussed at length. In the purely political field, the indigenous system is by no means powerless, and the relationships between the pre-European emergent political leaders, the indigenous lineage he&ds and the present Local Authority are examined. The traditional tribute, ngoto, paid to the lineage head by intrusive 'aliens' cultivating on lineage land is considered, particularly in relation to the official ban placed the payment thereof in 1942, Finally, the matter of tree ownership is considered relative to increased tree planting, as a soil conservation measure or as a cash crop (coffee and timber) and certain proposals are submitted.