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
The Tongwe are spread over a relatively large area see map 1 and are, in the majority of locations, mixed with other ethnic groups. According to reported data, many Tongwe live scattered “in the
mountains,” referring to the range covering Mahale Mountains and stretching farther south, along Lake Tanganyika down to Karema. These locations share borders to the east and south with the area inhabited
by the Bende. Reportedly, it is only the Tongwe, and farther south the Bende, who live in the mountains.
7.3.4 Political cohesion
Some of the Tongwe communities still have a traditional government system, but it does not appear to be as influential as in the past. Traditional governments were officially abolished in Tanzania at the start
of the Ujamaa and are not common among Tanzanian ethnic groups. As the Tongwe are fairly spread out geographically, they fall under three different government administration divisions Nguruka, Buhingu,
and Sunuka. Therefore, it is a rather politically decentralized community. There are no Tongwe among the local government leaders at any level.
7.3.5 Economic cohesion
Since the Tongwe are spread out over a large area with few roads, they use more than one economic center. The town of Kigoma is the largest center in the region, with people travelling there from afar,
although for many this is difficult and costly. Kigoma is the economic center for at least four ethnic groups, so Swahili is used for communication.
As the Tongwe share many points of common identity with the Bende, Mpanda is another economic center for them. The Tongwe consider it safe to travel to Mpanda as the area is scarcely populated or is,
at least in part, inhabited by the Bende. Similar to Kigoma, Mpanda is populated with a mixture of different ethnic groups, so Swahili is generally used for communication.
Except for Chakulu, all the villages visited each have a market, which makes travelling to larger economic centers less necessary. People from Chakulu use the market in Uvinza. In Ilagala the market is
open three days a week, while in all the other locations, it is open every day. In the economic dimension, the Tongwe are not a socially cohesive community.
7.3.6 Socio-religious cohesion
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