Origin

They are part of the Eastern Bantu linguistic group but with an important share of Cushitic and Nilotes influences. Ancestors seem to have come from Taita dispersal area and settled around slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Social organisation

The smallest social unit was a family that is homestead. Members recognising a common ancestry formed a clan, a group of a clan made up of a chiefdom. Usually the chief came from the most powerful clan. The chief was thought to possess super natural insight that is acted as a chief ritual expert during annual festivities.

Respect for elders and traditional norms were inculcated through folk tales. Believed in a supreme being - god referred to as Ruwa; the source of life and death. They recognised interdependence between the living and dead were usually observed.

Political organisation

Unlike most Eastern Bantu, the Chagga had an institution of chieftaincy that is had a centralised administration.

Among the most important chiefdoms were: The Rambo centred in Keni under chief Orambo. By 1840 Orambo had extended his territory to include 2/3 of the whole Chagga country.

Another important chiefdom was that of Kibosho under chief Sina. The chief was the head of government and commander on chief built of the armed forces. Chiefdoms had standing armies with spears, bows arrows and guns got from Swahili Arabs.

Chiefs ruled and administered justice with advice of clan heads. In judicial matters the chief presided and resolved, inter clan disputes, murder cases and external aggressors. Judged according to established customary practises which defined the extent of crime. Chagga usually raided the Taita extracting slaves, cattle and women.

 Economic organisation

Land was communally owned that is it was a property of the clan. The chief was the controller of land, resources and finances. Their fertile and well watered areas favoured cultivation of variety of crops; - Bananas, yams, pumpkins, grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables. Also raised livestock - cattle, goats, sheep and poultry.

Hunted wild game, gathered roots, fruits, fungi, honey and bamboo to supplement their diet. Craft industry - very important that is pottery, basketry, black smithing, wood curving, hides and skin tanning.

Barter trade - surplus food stuffs exchanged for cattle, iron implements and salt with neighbouring societies.