Determinants of the Migration of the Ndali Tribe from Ileje to Mbozi District, Tanzania

Abstract

Understanding the determinants of migration and associated patterns may inform relevant institutions to devise intervention plans and resource mobilization strategies for affected areas. This paper examines the determinants of migration of the Ndali tribe from Ileje to Mbozi District. It attempts to diagnose factors that determine Ndali tribe migration to Mbozi District and recommend possible strategies for addressing the situation. A sample of 551 heads of households of Ndali migrants were drawn from Mbozi District using simple random sampling techniques, and employing a crosssectional research design. Both quantitative and qualitative data were gathered through household questionnaire, field observations, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and documentary reviews. Quantitative data from the questionnaires were analysed through descriptive statistics, while content analysis was employed in the analysis of qualitative data. Results suggest that the availability of land for cultivation, permanent settlements, social services availability, availability of wage labour, socio-cultural issues, and the presence of relatives from Ileje District were the major determinants of the migration of the Ndali tribe in Mbozi District. However, the determinants of migration was not dominated by a single factor, but by a combination of multiple inter-related factors. The paper concludes that out-migration is the viable means of the Ndali tribe to survive; and recommends the promotion of equitable development such as investing in Ileje and enhancing opportunities in the area of origin to minimise out-migration, and keep population in the area of destination at a manageable rate since an increase in in-migration will inevitably lead to population pressure and land crisis.

Keywords: migration, Ndali, determinants, out-migration, in-migration, pressure.