RC Mtanda: Keep culture, ditch harmful traditions
MWANZA: Mwanza Regional Commissioner Saidi Mtanda has urged Tanzanians to preserve their cultural heritage while rejecting harmful traditional practices, saying culture remains the cornerstone of national identity, unity and lasting peace.
Speaking on Sunday during the opening of the week long Bulabo Cultural Festival at the Red Cross Grounds in Kisesa, Misungwi District, Mr Mtanda said culture plays a critical role in shaping society and strengthening social cohesion.
“Culture is the identity of every individual and every nation. A nation without culture is like a dead nation,” he said.
He noted that while cultural traditions should be celebrated and protected, communities must abandon outdated and harmful practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage, which undermine the well being and rights of women and children.
Mr Mtanda urged residents to continue promoting values that foster peace, unity, and development, saying Tanzania’s stability has been built on respect for cultural diversity and mutual understanding among its people.
This year’s Bulabo Cultural Festival is being held under the theme: “Reconciliation Through Peace is Our Tradition, Protect Tanzanian Values.”
The annual festival, organised by the Sukuma community, serves as a platform to celebrate harvests and showcase traditional dances, music, and cultural practices while promoting harmony and preserving indigenous heritage for future generations.
