Each family relocated to Msomera Village in Handeni District, Tanga Region, is provided with a two-acre plot comprising a three-bedroom house for resettlement, a five-acre farm, and a 22-hectare communal grazing land. Photo: Courtesy
By Adonis Byemelwa
In the heart of Handeni District, Msomera is quietly becoming a testament to the Tanzanian government’s bold efforts to balance conservation with the livelihoods of one of the country’s most iconic communities—the Maasai.
More than 3,000 Maasai households have relocated here from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA), voluntarily leaving behind their ancestral land as part of a broader strategy aimed at reducing human pressure on one of Tanzania’s most ecologically fragile zones.
While this move represents a significant change for the Maasai, it also offers an opportunity for growth and development, both for the community and for the village of Msomera itself. The relocation of the Maasai is driven by a pressing need to protect the delicate ecosystem of the NCA, a UNESCO World Heritage site that has seen a sharp rise in human population over recent decades.
From just 9,000 people in 1954, the population of the NCA has ballooned to over 100,000. For a long time, the Maasai were able to coexist with the wildlife in the area, but increasing pressure from livestock and human activities has taken a toll on the environment. Restrictions on grazing and farming have become necessary, but they have also made life difficult for the Maasai, who rely heavily on livestock for their livelihood.
In response, the government has launched a voluntary relocation program, encouraging Maasai families to move to new areas like Msomera, where they are provided with land, housing, and access to social services.
While some critics have expressed concern over the relocation, citing the cultural and social impact of moving the Maasai from their ancestral lands, others see it as a necessary step toward balancing conservation efforts with sustainable development.
One of the veteran journalists Salim Salim said he came to Msomera in 1967 after Tanzania’s Arusha Declaration. Now, more than five decades later he is witnessing a transformation in the village. “Seeing is believing,” he says. “There have been unbelievable changes here. There were no roads, health services, and electricity.”
For Salim, these improvements are a testament to the potential of Msomera to become a thriving community, but he also stresses the importance of setting clear guidelines for the use of the new resources, particularly water sources like charcodams, to ensure their sustainability.
As part of the relocation program, each Maasai family is given five acres of land for farming and two acres for settlement, while 22,000 hectares of land are reserved for communal grazing.
This new arrangement has opened up opportunities that were previously unavailable to the Maasai in the NCA, where restrictions on farming and other economic activities limited their ability to diversify their livelihoods.
Many of the Maasai in Msomera have taken up farming, and the fertile land has already proven to be a valuable asset. One resident, a herder who relocated from Ngorongoro, explains that while the NCAA used to provide two bags of maize per year, he was able to harvest 15 bags in a single season after moving to Msomera.
However, the transition from the NCA to Msomera has not been without its challenges. One of the main issues facing the Maasai is the tension between the relocated families and the host community in Msomera.
A typical Maasai household's enclosure or boma as it is popularly known comprises environment-friendly grass-thatched huts. Photo: Courtesy
Farmers from neighboring villages have encroached on land that was designated for grazing, leading to conflicts between the Maasai herders and local farmers. The government is aware of these challenges and has taken steps to address them, including organizing patrols to protect the grazing areas and engaging civil society organizations to promote harmony between the different communities.
Despite these challenges, many Maasai are optimistic about their future in Msomera. The government has invested heavily in infrastructure to support the relocated families, including the construction of new health centers, schools, and water supply systems. In addition, a milk collection center and a modern livestock auction facility are being built, which will provide new economic opportunities for the Maasai.
Elizabeth Makamero, a Maasai woman who relocated to Msomera with her family, is one of those who is embracing the changes. “We are building a four-bedroom house because the one we were given is too small for our family,” she explains.
Elizabeth is optimistic about the future, noting that Msomera offers opportunities that were unavailable in Ngorongoro. “In Ngorongoro, we couldn’t grow crops, and wildlife would often destroy them. Here, we can farm and sell goods, and we are connected to the national electricity grid.”
For the Maasai, cattle are more than just a source of income—they are a social safety net, a form of wealth, and a connection to their cultural heritage. In Msomera, the government is promoting modern livestock-keeping practices to help improve the productivity of the Maasai’s cattle herds. In February, 20 bulls were brought to the village to assist in crossbreeding efforts, as part of a broader initiative to phase out traditional livestock-keeping practices and promote more efficient methods. However, as Tairo, another veteran journalist who went to witness the significant improvements, points out that many herders are still reluctant to embrace these changes. “It is time they invested in livestock just as they do in agriculture,” he says, emphasizing the need for a shift in mindset among the Maasai herders. “Many of the Maasai see our livestock as their bank accounts, and are hesitant to sell their cattle earlier because they see them as a form of security.”
Sprouting townships in Ngorongoro Conservation Area compels the Tanzania government to embark on a voluntary relocation programme to improve lives and rescue the area from losing its World Heritage Site significance. Photo: Courtesy
This reluctance to change is understandable, given the cultural significance of livestock in Maasai society. However, as the government continues to invest in new infrastructure and support systems, there is hope that the Maasai in Msomera will begin to see the benefits of modern livestock-keeping practices.
According to one government official, the goal is to help the Maasai “get more value for their livestock,” so that they can sell their cattle at better prices and reinvest the profits into other income-generating activities.
As Msomera continues to grow, the government is considering upgrading the village to a ward to accommodate the increasing population.
Plans are also underway to divide the village into smaller administrative units to manage the tensions between the relocated Maasai families and the host community. Meanwhile, efforts are being made to ensure that the Maasai in Msomera have access to the education, healthcare, and social services they need to thrive in their new environment.
The district council is planning to introduce training programs on basic life skills, savings, and credit culture, to help the Maasai manage their finances more effectively and avoid some of the pitfalls that have affected other relocation programs in the past.
For the Maasai who have relocated to Msomera, this move represents a new chapter in their lives. It is an opportunity to maintain their cultural heritage while also embracing the opportunities that come with modern development. As one Maasai resident put it, “Msomera is full of opportunities. If the government continues to stand by us, there will be no problem at all.”
This sentiment is shared by many of the Maasai in Msomera, who see the relocation not as a loss, but as an opportunity to build a better future for themselves and their families. While there are still challenges to overcome, the combination of government support, community resilience, and new economic opportunities offers hope that the Maasai in Msomera will not only survive but thrive in their new home. The village may still be in its early stages of development, but with continued investment and support, it has the potential to become a model for sustainable relocation programs in Tanzania and beyond.
