Makambako
| Makambako | |
|---|---|
| Town and ward | |
Rail station
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 Map of Makambako showing infrastructure |
|
 Makambako
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| Coordinates: 8°51′S 34°50′E / 8.850°S 34.833°ECoordinates: 8°51′S 34°50′E / 8.850°S 34.833°E | |
| Country |
 Tanzania
|
| Region | Njombe Region |
| Population (2002) | |
| • Total | 51,049 |
| Time zone | EAT (UTC+3) |
Makambako is a medium-sized town and ward in the Njombe Region of the Tanzanian Southern Highlands, located roughly 40 miles north of Njombe city by road. It is located at junction of the A104 and B4 roads between Njombe, Iringa, and Mbeya. Its population according to the 2002 Tanzanian census is 51,049.
Makambako was visited by Paul Theroux who in his book Dark Star Safari: Overland from Cairo to Cape Town described it not as a town but "a collection of hovels on stretch of paved road where idle people sat or stood."
The town of Makambako has seen fast development. As a result, the northwest Wabena are advocating for Makambako to become its own district.
Makambako is located in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania, approximately 40 miles north of the district capital of Njombe. The ward of Makambako contains the settlements of Ikwete Ilangboli, Maguvani, Ubena, Kipagamo, Idofi, Mlowa, Mkolango, Lyamkena, Kiumba, Mwembetogwa, Mjimwema, Kilimahewa and Kigamo.
The Makambako Plateau is one of three agroecological zones in the Njombe District, the other two being the Eastern Highlands and the Njombe Plateau.
Maize is commonly grown in the plateau while Makambako is notable for tomato cultivation and trade.
The largest ethnic group in Makambako town are the Bena. Their living arrangements include large, polygamous, extended families and on average, there are more than five children in a household. Farming responsibility is left to women with almost all of them following an occupation. Female headed households are more dependent on subsistence food, operating as "street hawkers" or with mobile fast-food kitchens.
The residents speak Kisovi a variation of Kibena.
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Wikipedia