Stereotypes in Tanzania

[MwanaFalsafa1]

In every country there are stereotypes about certain groups of people whether good or bad. Tanzania has a lot of stereotypes especially according to tribes. So what are the stereotypes in Tanzania? How far are they true and how far are they false? A few example is like the Masai who are considered tall & a guards. The Chaga are said to be good businessmen. Wapare are said to be stingy. The Wahaya are said to be full of themselves and act bigger than others and very dark in complexion. Remember the examples I have given are the stereotypes I have heard of and do not reflect my thoughts. I know you can't generalize any group of people but the fact is that these stereotypes do exist. Maybe Talking about them is one step towards getting rid of them. Since JF is a place of different people with different tribes I thought this would be a great place to start.

 

[Epitome]

I am afraid that most of the things you are talking about are not stereotypes, i.e Maasai being tall, and Wahaya being dark in complexion. Do you really understand the meaning of the word ''stereotype''? Please think again about your thread and bring it afresh for further discussion if you wish. And even if the stereotypes are there, who cares??

 

[Kelelee]

A stereotype is a phrase relating to all the members of class or set. The term is often used with a negative connotation when referring to an oversimplified, exaggerated, or demeaning assumption that a particular individual possesses the characteristics associated with the class due to his or her membership in it. Stereotypes can be used to deny individuals respect or legitimacy based on their membership in that group.
Stereotypes often form the basis of [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prejudice"]prejudice[/ame] and are usually employed to explain real or imaginary differences due to race, gender, religion, ethnicity, socio-economic class, disability, occupation, etc. A stereotype can be a conventional and oversimplified conception, opinion, or image based on the belief that there are attitudes, appearances, or behaviors shared by all members of a group. Stereotypes are forms of social consensus rather than individual judgments. Stereotypes are sometimes formed by a previous [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illusory_correlation"]illusory correlation[/ame], a false association between two variables that are loosely correlated if correlated at all. Stereotypes may be occasionally positive.
The term "stereotype" derives from [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_language"]Greek[/ame] στερεός (stereos) "solid, firm"[1] + τύπος (tupos) "blow, impression, engraved mark"[2] hence "solid impression". The term, in its modern psychology sense, was first used by [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Lippmann"]Walter Lippmann[/ame] in his 1922 work [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_Opinion"]Public Opinion[/ame][3] although in the printing sense it was first coined 1798.