Simanjiro District, Manyara

Simanjiro District is one of the six districts of the Manyara Region of Tanzania. It is bordered to the north by Arusha Region, to the north east by Kilimanjaro Region, to the south east by Tanga Region, to the south by Kiteto District, to the south west by Dodoma Region and to the west by Babati Rural District. The district headquarters are located in Orkesumet. According to the 2012 Tanzania National Census, the population of Simanjro District was 178,693.[1] Simanjiro District is endowed with gemstones, being the only location on the planet that has tanzanite. Simanjiro was also where the first tsavolite was discovered.

Simanjiro District
District
Simanjiro District of Manyara Region
Simanjiro District of Manyara Region
Country Tanzania
RegionManyara Region
Population
 (2012)
 • Total178,693


Administrative subdivisions

As of 2012, Simanjiro District was administratively divided into 17 wards.[1]

Simanjiro District Wards[1]
Ward Number Name Population (2012 Census) Notes
1 Orkesumet 5,325 District Seat of Government, translates to long wells of water in English.[2]
2 Naberera 19,814
3 Loiborsiret 13,569
4 Emboreet 8,860
5 Terrat 8,586
6 Oljoro No. 5 15,527
7 Shambarai 9,420
8 Mererani 13,450
9 Msitu wa Tembo 12,054 Translates to elephant forest in English
10 Ngorika 7,417
11 Liborsoit 7,207
12 Ruvu Remiti 5,077
13 Kitwai 5,914
14 Komolo 11,555
15 Naisinyai 11,144
16 Endiamtu 13,621
17 Endonyongijape 10,153

Demographics

The 2012 Tanzanian Census reported that the district had a population of 178,693, with an average household size of 4.6 people.[1] The 2002 Tanzanian Census reported that the district had a population of 141,676, with an average household size of 4.3 people.[3]

Many of the district's inhabitants are ethnic Maasai.[2] Many of the district's Maasai population are illiterate, have no formal education, and are practicing Christians.[2]

Economy

The area is home to the national gem of Tanzania, tanzanite. A rare gem only found in Mererani hills in Merereani ward in with Simanjiro District, Manyara Region.[4] Masai millionai based in Arusha region, Saniniu Laizer made headlines in 2020 after mining three stones and selling them for approximately $5.4 million.[4] Simanjiro's economy revolves around mining of tanzanite, however the district has not been able to reap the economic benefits of such a lucrative industry

Due to the district's predominant Maasai population the second largest industry is beef pastoral, with a 1994 report states that 71,531 Maasai in the district practice pastoralism.[2] There are a significant number of extension agents in the district who sell agricultural information.[2]

Media

Orkonerei FM Radio, a Maasai language radio station is located in the town of Terrat.[2]

References
  1. "2012 PHC: Population Distribution by Administrative Areas". National Bureau of Statistics (Tanzania). Retrieved 2020-08-11.
  2. Mosha, Goodluck; Lotegelwaki, Obedy; Nyakwaka, David Onyango (2018-06-22). "Information Needs and Sources of Maasai Pastoralists at Orkesumet in Simanjiro District Manyara Region -Tanzania". Library Philosophy and Practice – via ResearchGate.
  3. "2002 POPULATION AND HOUSING CENSUS- General Report". National Bureau of Statistics (Tanzania). 2003. Archived from the original on 2006-06-18. Retrieved 2020-08-11.
  4. "Miner earns millions after second rare find". BBC News. 2020-08-03. Retrieved 2020-08-11.

4°24′36″S 37°10′48″E

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