Linguistic cohesion Cultural cohesion

7.3.1 Linguistic cohesion

The majority of the Tongwe feel that there are few differences in the Tongwe spoken throughout the various Tongwe villages, with the main differences being in accent and vocabulary question G1.2b. A community is considered linguistically cohesive if no significant dialect variation is found. The Tongwe do identify differences in the speech varieties of various areas, but they agree that they can fully understand the Tongwe and even the Bende from all other locations. Therefore, the Tongwe sociolinguistic community can be considered linguistically cohesive.

7.3.2 Cultural cohesion

In all locations the groups interviewed reported that the Tongwe marry people from other ethnic groups, especially the Ha. Various groups also mentioned the Nyamwezi, Bembe, Fipa, Bende and Nyarwanda question G4.4a–b. The groups were asked what they think about the Tongwe who marry people from other ethnic groups question G4.4d. In Kalya they answered that there is not much difference and that they are “getting used to each other.” Some in Kashagulu said that it is perfectly fine; however, some women disagreed. In the other villages the following answers were given: “We are neighbors,” “We live together,” “It is a good thing,” “It brings death to smaller languages” and “It is not good.” The groups were asked what customs differentiate the Tongwe from other ethnic groups question G4.5. In Kalya those interviewed mentioned greetings a deep curtsy with a bow of the head and at the same time clapping with one cupped hand over the top of the other one and a wedding gift consisting of a gun, traditional white clothing and necklaces. In Kashagulu only the greeting was mentioned. In other locations participants added the language, guns used for hunting, honey gathering tradition, drums and dances, goats and chickens used for ancestral sacrifices and special clothing worn for traditional rituals. “In the cultural dimension, a community which shares one common culture is more cohesive than one that has certain common features but which is also divided by certain cultural overlays from neighboring communities” Watters 1989. The Tongwe intermarry with people from other ethnic groups, and such behavior is widely accepted although some believe that it “brings death to smaller languages.” The Tongwe listed a number of customs that differentiate them from other groups, and also maintained that they perform a number of activities that include only their group. They also reported that they like to be separate from other groups, which supports the notion of cultural cohesiveness. In following their traditional custom of living in isolated homesteads, the Tongwe who live outside government established villages indicate even stronger cohesiveness.

7.3.3 Geographical cohesion