Zigua people
Wazigua | |
|---|---|
| Total population | |
| 134,406 (1957) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Tanzania (Kilindi District, Korogwe District, Handeni District, and Pangani District, Tanga Region and Chalinze District, Pwani Region) | |
| Languages | |
| Kizigua & Swahili | |
| Religion | |
| Majority Islam, Minority Christianity and African Traditional Religion | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Zaramo, Luguru, Kutu Kami, Nguu, Kaguru, Somali Bantus & other coastal Bantu peoples and Afro Arabs |
| Person | Mzigua |
|---|---|
| People | Wazigua |
| Language | Kizigua |
The Zigua or in some sources Zigula (Wazigua in Swahili) are a Bantu matrilineal ethnic and linguistic people inhabiting the southwestern Tanga Region and northern Pwani Region of Tanzania. In Tanga Region they are the majority in Handeni District and northern Kilindi District and also are a historically significant population south of the Pangani River in Pangani District. They speak the Zigula language. In 1993, the Zigua population was estimated to number 355,000 people, today they number 631,000 people.
The Zigua are considered to be the parent tribe of the Shambaa people, and the Bondei people which today all live in north-eastern Tanzania. For instance, the king Mbegha, who was to become the leader of the Shambaa people and the grandfather of the Shambaa ruler Kimweri ye Nyumbai (†1862), was born among the Zigua.