Zaramo

(Wazaramo, Dzalamo), a people in Tanzania, inhabiting the territory in the lower reaches of the Ruvu, Rufiji, and Wami rivers and also the vicinity of the cities of Morogoro and Dar es Salaam. Their population is approximately 400,000 (1967, estimate). Kizaramo (or Kidzalamo), the language of the Zaramo, is similar to Swahili and belongs to the eastern group of the Bantu language family. The Zaramo belong to the Sunnite sect of Islam; the culture and customs of the Zaramo have undergone strong Arab influence. Their main occupation is hoe farming (sorghum, corn, bananas). Many Zaramo work on sisal and cotton plantations.