1.0: OUR NATION
INTRODUCTION OF CIVICS
What is Civics?
Civics
Is the study of human rights and responsibilities of citizens
OR
Is the study of human rights and responsibilities of
citizens, the governance and environment in which our society is found.
MAIN THEMES ADDRESSED IN CIVICS
Ø In
civics we study about:
- Governance
and government
- Human
rights and responsibilities of citizens
- The
environment in which we live in
- International
relations
- Moral
and family values
- Cultural
issues
- Economic
issues
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CIVICS AND OTHER SUBJECTS
- Civics
is related to history through learning about various national festivals.
Through these festivals, people
learn important lessons which elaborate on the past, present and predict
the future.
- Civics
relates to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) through learning
issues of globalization that help people to develop awareness on
contribution, challenges and adverse impact of ICT in the world.
- Civics
is related to language.
People can exercise freedom of expression and association
through language. In some countries can be a national symbol. For example, in
Tanzania, Kiswahili language is one of the national symbol and it is taught in
schools as subject.
iv. Civics is related to Geography
Geography addresses issues of environmental conservation and
sustainability of natural resources. so, civics promotes citizens’ commitment
in protecting geographical boundaries and public resources.
v. Civics relate with science subjects
IMPORTANCE OF STUDYING CIVICS
- It
helps to understand human rights
- It
helps to understand responsibilities of citizens
- It
help us to understand our environment
- It
help us to understand our culture
- It
help us to understand road safety
- It
help us to establish good relationship and respect
- It
helps to promote peace and security 1.1 The Components of our Nation
- Analyse
the components that make up our nation
A nation
Is a large group of people who
live in a particular territory sharing common history, culture, language under
the government.
OR
Is a large group or community of
people living in a defined geographical area sharing common history, culture
and language under the control of government.
Examples of nations includes,
Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda
Each country has its recognized
boundaries. In Africa there are 54 nations.
1.1 The Components of our Nation
Ø Analyse
the components that make up our nation
1.2 The National Symbols
Ø Identify
Tanzania’s national symbols
Ø Explain
the significance of each national symbol
Ø Identify
Tanzania’s national festivals and their significance
PILLARS OF STATE
There are mainly three pillars of the state namely;
- Executive
- Judiciary
- Legislature
MAP OF TANZANIA AND NEIGHBOURING NATIONS
COMPONENTS OF OUR NATION
There are various components that make up our nation, these
are;
- Territory
- Sovereignty
- Language
- Government
- People
- Culture
- TERRITORY
Is an area of land that has boundaries and is under control
of a government.
Ø The
total area covered by our country is 945,000 km2 . Tanzania is bordered by the
following countries;
- Kenya
and Uganda to the North
- Zambia,
Malawi and Mozambique to the South
- Rwanda,
Burundi and DRC to the west
- The
Indian ocean borders Tanzania to the east
2. SOEREIGNTY
Is the authority of state to govern itself
OR
Is the freedom that a country has to govern itself. This
means that there is no external power that control the country.
TYPES OF SOVEREIGNTY
i. Internal sovereignty
Ø This
is where a country has the power to supervise all its internal affairs.
Tanganyika become a sovereignty state on 9th December 1961 while
Zanzibar on 10th December 1963
ii. External sovereignty
This is where a country has the freedom to form its
governing policy and foreign policy. Tanzania is sovereign state which has both
internal and external sovereignty.
3. GOVERNMENT
Refers to the selected or elected group of people who are
responsible for controlling a country or state.
OR
Is the body of people which administers the state and
maintains law and order.
Ø The
government has power and authority to control and direct people’s activities
within its territory. In Tanzania we use the republic system of government
where the country is led by a president and politicians who have been elected
by the people.
4. PEOPLE
Refers to the persons who belong to a particular country.
Currently, the population of Tanzania is estimated to be 61 millions. Tanzanian
people have their own national language, common culture, central
government and history.
5. CULTURE
Refers to the customs and beliefs of a particular group of
people.
OR
Refers to the sum total way of people’s life in a given area
at a given time. Eg, beliefs, arts, marriage.
6. LANGUAGE
Is the system of communication mostly in speech and writing
that is used by the people of particular society.
1.2 The National Symbols
Ø Identify
Tanzania’s national symbols
Ø Explain
the significance of each national symbol
Ø Identify
Tanzania’s national festivals and their significance
NATIONAL SYMBOLS
A symbol: Is a sign that represent something
National symbols
Are signs which represents a nation.
These symbols are very important as they serve as remineter
of our national hood to us and to the rest of the world.
Ø Our
national symbols includes;
- The
national anthem
- The
uhuru torch
- The
National currency
- The
coat of arms
- The
National flag
- The
constitutional
- The
presidential standard
- THE
NATIONAL ANTHEM
Is the official song of the nation.
Ø The
national anthem is played or sung on special occasions such as:
- When
the president inspects the guard
- When
opening the international events. Eg, football and boxing match
- When
the president or vice president visit another country
- When
the national flag is being hoisted
- On
the announcement of death of resident or vice president
- Before
and after president address the nation
IMPORTANCE OF NATIONAL ANTHEM
- It
is symbol of our nationality and freedom
- Is
a unifying tool for Tanzanians
- It
makes citizens feel proud of their country
- It
is identity for internal recognition
- It
express a sense of belonging to Tanzania and Africa
2. NATIONAL CONSTITUTION
A constitution
Is the system of laws and basic principles by which the
national is govern.
Ø A
constitution provides guidelines which the society must follow. Our country is
ruled according to the constitution that was enacted in 1977.
IMPORTANCE OR SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CONSTITUTION
- It
protects the rights of individuals
- It
provide separation of power
- It
is the basic or mother law
- It
shows how leaders are to be chosen
- It
defines the limits of the powers of leaders
- It
show the rights and responsibilities of citizens
- It
show the relationship between the government and the citizens
- It
ensures that the government is fair to its citizens
3. NATIONAL FLAG
Is a piece of cloth with a special coloured designed. Our
flag has four colours, these are
- Green:
Represents the vegetation of our country
- Black:
Represents the people of Tanzania/Africans
- Blue:
Represents the water bodies in the country
- Golden-yellow/Yellow:
Represents the mineral wealth of the country
IMPORTANCE OR SIGNIFICANCE OF THE NATIONAL FLAG
- It
is a symbol of our independence or sovereignty
- It
symbolizes the unit of Tanzanians
- It
is symbol for freedom of the people
- Is
a symbol of the nationality
- It
is a symbol of Tanzania culture
4. NATIONAL LANGUAGE
This is the language spoken by all people in the nation. The
national language of Tanzania is Kiswahili
SIGNIFICANCE OR IMPORTANCE OF THE NATIONAL LANGUAGE
- It
act as the media of communication within the country
- It
symbolizes the culture of the nation
- It
unifies people with a common history
- It
also identifies the country internationally
- 5.
NATIONAL CURRENCY
- Currency:
Is the system of money that a country uses.
- National
currency
- The
Tanzania national currency is shillings. The value of shilling always
appears as coin or notes. Money is used for measuring value trading and
paying for goods and services in a country.
SIGNIFICANCE OR IMPORTANCE OF THE NATIONAL CURRENCY
- It
is used in buying and selling
- It
is a means of settling debts
- It
is used to measure value
- It
is identity of nationality and freedom
6. UHURU TORCH/ INDEPENDENCE TORCH
This was introduced for the first time by president of
Tanzania M.J. Kambarage Nyerere to symbolize freedom, unity, love, dignity,
solidarity and hope. On 9th/12/196 the uhuru torch was first hoisted
by Alexander Nyirenda on top of mount Kilimanjaro at midnight when
Tanganyika got her independence from Britain.
Ø Lighting
the torch on the mountain symbolizes the following;
a) Illumination
of the whole country with freedom
b) Bringing
love where there was hatred
c) Dignity
where there was contempt
d) Hope
where there was despair.
SIGNIFICANCE OR IMPORTANCE OF THE UHURU TORCH
- It
symbolizes freedom and light
- It
promotes unity in the country
- It
promotes cooperation among Tanzanians
- It
promotes development in aspects of life
- It
promote peace, dignity, respect and hope among Tanzanians
7. COAT OF ARMS
Is a government logo or emblem which comprises different
colours and landmarks of Tanzania.
OR
It is an official seal or stamp of the government.
COMPONENTS OF COAT OF ARMS
Our coat of arms has twelve (12) components which represents
various national interests, such as state power, economic basis, national
culture and history. These components are;
- Two
human figures
Ø The
man and woman represent the people of Tanzania
Ø Symbolizes
the needs for cooperation between men and women in order to bring about
development
ii. National flag - Symbolizes national freedom /
sovereignty
iii. Uhuru torch- Symbolizes freedom and
enlightenment
iv. Crossed axes and hoes – Represent the tools used
by Tanzanian to develop their country
v. Two elephant tusks
Represents our national heritage in terms of wildlife
(available national parks and game reserves
- Shield
and spear
Ø Represents
the weapons that were used by Tanzanians to resist colonialism
Ø Represents
the readiness of the people to defend their independence
Ø Represent
national defense
- Peak
of mount Kilimanjaro - Is a source of pride of Tanzanians
- Sea
waves – represents water bodies found in Tanzania such as rivers,
lakes, swamps and ocean
- Crops
(cotton and cloves) – Represent the cash crops of Zanzibar and
Tanzania mainland
Ø At
the feet of the man, there is a branch of clove tree while at the feet of woman
there is a branch of cotton plant.
- Red
band on the shield –Represent fertile soil in Tanzania
- Golden
band on the upper part of the shield – Represents the minerals wealth
of the country such as diamond, gold and Tanzanite
- The
inscription of UHURU NA UMOJA – This means freedom and unity
Ø It
is the national motto of the United Republic of Tanzania
- It
symbolizes state power
- It
symbolizes our national culture and history
- It
symbolizes state political and economical bases
- It
symbolizes state sovereignty, freedom and unity of the people
- It
is used as a symbol of authority
- vii.
PRESIDENTIAL STANDARD
- Is
a flag which is used during official ceremonies where the president is in
attendance. It has a green background with a blue border and the coat of
arms in the middle. This has no crops, human figure or
the peak of mount Kilimanjaro
SIGNIFICANCE OR IMPORTANCE OF THE PRESIDENTIAL
STANDARD
- Symbolizes
the authority of the president
- It
is a state symbol of the president
NATIONAL FESTIVALS AND PUBLIC HOLDAYS
National festivals
Are days when we celebrate important national events.
Ø These
days are usually public holidays where most offices and business are normally
closed on such days. During these days people remember important historic
events which have taken place.
TYPES OF NATIONAL DAYS
Civic / public holidays
Religious holidays
1. CIVIC / PUBLIC NATIONAL
FESTIVALS AND HOLIDAYS
These are special days that commemorate
events which have profound meaning. These are
i. Independence day
This is marked on 9th
December every year. Tanganyika got her independence on 9th December
1961 and a year later she become a republic on 9th December on 9th
December 1962
ii. Revolution day
Tanzanians celebrate revolution
day on 12th January every year. On 12th January, 1964 the
people of Zanzibar overthrow the Sultan’s government. People sing and dance to
remember those who took part in the revolution
iii. Union day: Fall on 26th
April each year
On 26th April, 1964
Tanganyika and Zanzibar united to form the United Republic of Tanzania. Sheikh
Abeid Aman Karume and Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere signed an agreement to
unite the two countries.
iv. Saba saba day – fall on 7th
July each year
In this day the government has
established an annual trade exhibition which is held at Mwalimu Julius
Kambarage Nyere Grounds along Kilwa Road in Dar es Salaam
v. farmer’s day/ Nane nane day
This day is celebrated on 8th
August every year. On this day, farmers and traders exhibit their agricultural
products, farm implements and machinery each year, one region in the country is
chosen to host the national exhibition
vi. Nyere day
Every 14th October
each year, Tanzanians mark the death anniversary of the first president of
Tanzania, Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere.
vii. Karume day: Fall on 7th
April each years
viii. Labor / workers day: Fall
on 1st May each year
New year day: Fall on
every 1st January each year.
2. RELIGIOUS NATIONAL FESTIVALS
These days are marked by special religious events or
festivals according to the beliefs and faith of particular group of people. In Tanzania
there are two dominant religious, namely Christianity and Islamic. These
religious are;
- Christmas
day: Fall on 25th December each year
On this day Christians remember the birth of Jesus Christ.
Ø Christians
stay at home with their families eat, drink and give gifts to each other
Ø They
also give basic needs such as clothes and food to the needy, orphans and widow
v Boxing
day
Is the first day after Christmas. It celebrated on 26th
December to mark the end of Christmas celebrations
Christians use the boxing day to reflect on the coming of
Jesus and to open gifts received from family members or friends
ii. Eid El Fitr
This is celebrated by Muslims to mark the end of the Holy
month of Ramadhan.
On this day, Muslims normally give gifts to the poor, visit
and eat with them to celebrate the holly month
iii. Good Friday, Easter and Easter Monday
On these days Christians in Tanzania Unite with other
Christians in the world to celebrate and remember the suffering, death and
resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Ø During
these days, Christians give gifts to the poor, visit and eat with them
iv. Moulid day
This is the day used to commemorate the birth of the prophet
Muhammad (S.A.W). The date and month depend on the Islamic calendar.
v. Eid el Hajj
This is celebrated to mark the end of pilgrimage or “Hajj”
which is fifth pillar of Islam. The date depends on the sighting of the moon.
Muslims make sacrifices by slaughtering goals or sheep and give gifts to the
poor, orphans and widows.
SIGNIFICANCE OR IMPORTANCE OF THE NATIONAL FESTIVALS
- Keeps
a history of our country alive
- These
promotes unity among Tanzania
- Provide
an opportunity to identify problems in the society
- Leaders
pass important information to the public during these day
- Provide
an opportunity for citizen to meet and share day
- These
days mark important events in our country