The Nyamwezi , or Wanyamwezi , are one of the Bantu groups of East Africa and the second-largest ethnic group in Tanzania. The term Nyamwezi is of Swahili origin, and translates as "people of the moon" on one hand but also means "people of the west" the latter being more meaningful to the context.
Historically, there have been five ethnic groups, all referring to themselves as Wanyamwezi to outsiders: Kimbu , Konongo , Nyamwezi, Sukuma , and Sumbwa , who were never united. All groups normally merged have broadly similar cultures, although it is an oversimplification to view them as a single group. Their homeland is called Unyamwezi , and they speak the language Kinyamwezi , although many also speak Swahili or English.
It was only in the 19th century that the name could be found in literature; the term might include almost anyone from the western plateau. Travel taught them that others called them Nyamwezi, and almost all men accepted the name given to them by the coastal people indicating that the Nyamwezi came from the west.
According to oral tradition , the Nyamwezi are thought to have settled in west central Tanzania their present location some time in the 17th century. The earliest evidence comes from the Galahansa , and confirms their presence there in the late 17th century.
They were once fishermen and nomadic farmers due to the poor soil quality of the area. Their travels made them professional traders, and by they were taking caravans to the coast to trade in Katanga copper, wax, salt, ivory, and slaves. Arabian and Indian slave and ivory traders reached the Nyamwezi by They also started to acquire guns, and establish regular armies, with intra-tribal wars and some conflicts with Arabs on the coast throughout the 19th century.
