Marangu is a town located in Moshi District of Kilimanjaro Region. it is divided into Marangu East and Marangu west, each with its own village. It is recognized as one of the main gates for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. it is also famous for being the place where Mangi mkuu (Paramount chief) of the Chagga Thomas Lenana Marreale was born on June 15, 1915.

History

Before Independence in 1961, the town of Marangu used to be the headquarters of the Vunjo district led by Chief (Mangi Mwitori) Petro Itosi Marealle and Paramount Chief (Mangi Mkuu) Thomas Marealle, installed in 1951, who lived in Moshi itself.. The four and half day Marangu Route climb is considered the least arduous. It is believed that the first man in history to have climbed Kibo peak on Kilimanjaro was Kinyala Johannes Lauwo (1871–1996) of Ashira Marangu who allegedly died aged 125 years in May 1996.

Etymology

The word "Marangu" means a place with too many water streams. It is one of the most popular places in Tanzania. One of the proverbs of Chagga is "Ulamine kilahu ulyemkiwoa" (not from the Vunjo dialect) which means do not despise something/somebody from which you once received support. it is located 119 kilometers from Arusha city and 39 kilometers from Moshi municipality.

Economy

Many Marangu residents are farmers growing bananas, vegetables and coffee. However, the biggest source of income is tourism. The Marangu route is the most popular hiking route in Africa.^[1] The town has world class hotels like Babylon Lodge, Kilimanjaro Mountain resort, hosting local and international guests wanting to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. New Marangu residents are young men from all over Tanzania looking to work in the tourism industry as porters and guides.

Education

Marangu is home to The Marangu Teacher Training College and Ashira Girls High School and many other schools which provides education to not only marangu residents but to other residents from different places around Tanzania.