women Legal Aid and Human Rights Centre

Some Basic Rules of Tanzanian Culture

• Affection between men and women is seldom expressed in public. Public kissing, hugging, and hand-holding are offensive to most Tanzanians and a sign of low morals. But it is acceptable for two men or two women to walk hand in hand. This has nothing to do with sexual orientation; it is basically male (female) bonding and is not considered odd.
• Maintaining eye contact during conversations is not expected in an African context and many people become uncomfortable when you look them in the eye for a long time.
• East Africans love to formally greet each other, so be ready to shake a million hands!
• In most rural areas, punctuality is not too common, so be prepared to wait.
• Clothing is somewhat conservative. Men should not go bare-chested and shorts should be conservative. Women should avoid bare shoulders, halter-tops, and shorts. Ties and suits are not necessary except for special occasions.
• The dress codes can vary, depending on your area of placement. In many places, summer clothes are worn most of the year. Semi-formal wear or what is known as “business casual” (slacks and a shirt with a collar)will be acceptable in most places and for most purposes including volunteer work.
• You can wear jeans and t-shirts but we recommend clothes that are easy to wash – since most washing is done by hand, – jeans will be a bother to you in this regard.
• In some areas, shorts are rarely worn. If you wear some, khaki or walking shorts will be generally more acceptable.
• For official occasions, a shirt and tie worn with long trousers or a dress will do. Men should wear socks and both sexes should wear shoes during meetings and public events.
• The East African coast including the area around Dar es Salaam has a large Muslim population. Here, courtesy demands that women, outside their hotels, should dress modestly.

Legal Issues

• It is an offence to photograph heads of state, airports or strategic buildings, including military and power installations, and police officers in uniform. Photographs should not be taken of people without their consent.
• Destruction of local currency, even in small amounts, is illegal, and will result in arrest and penalty.
• Nudity is illegal under East African law; if you sunbathe topless you may be arrested.
• The penalty for possession of illegal drugs, including marijuana, is ten years imprisonment, with no option of a fine.
• Tanzanian law defines any sexual relations between men as a criminal act; the penalty is 5 to 14 years imprisonment.