CONCLUSION

Tanzania has faced a bombardment of colonial rule and outside influences. As with many countries who have undergone the same experience, Tanzania has taken a selective approach when adopting foreign practices and cultural elements. We see selective diffusion for instance in the areas of government and religion. At the same time we also see linguistic exclusiveness through the selection of Swahili as a national language. A clear attempt not only to unify a country under one language, but to assert a particular cultural tradition while excluding others (Ferraro 413, 414). Not only does a distinct Swahili people exist, but they have exercised their right to accept or deny changes in their culture which were not compatible with their existing value system or would not be beneficial to their growth as a people. Although Tanzania has allowed some cultural diffusion, they have not allowed their traditions to be tainted or uprooted and remain a distinct culture.