Mbaga – the place - is one of the mountains in Southern Pare Highlands. Traditionally, this was the homeland of the Mmbaga clan.
The People
The Pare people in the highland are mainly subsistence farmers. Previously coffee was an important cash crop, but due to disease and dropping market prices, this production ceased. The Pare, who settled here during the 16th century, were known to the first visiting Europeans as the ironsmiths of East Africa. Up till today they are known for their indigenous knowledge of medical plants and herbs. The highland Pare is mostly Christians, equally divided between Catholics and Protestants, whose missionaries settled early in the area.
