Taste Th e Mountain
The inhabited land in the area consists of three belts; low belt, middle belt, and high belt; our societies are divided into these belts and some societies are partially found in between the Upper and Middle. The lower belt, which experiences little rain (about 700 mm per year), is comprises Primary Cooperative Societies’ of Shiri Njoro and Shiri Mgungani which are located in Moshi Rural.
The middle belt with 750-800 mm of rain per year covers districts of Moshi rural, Siha and Hai. The societies of Kombo, Kibosho West, Manushi Sinde, Manushi Ndoo, Kirima Boro, Uru North, Uru Kati Mawela, Uru East, Old Moshi, Mwika West, Mamba South, Orori, and Narumu.
All these societies are located in the district of Moshi Rural. While from Hai are Mashua, Nkwasira, Kware, Mudio, Masama Roo, Uduru Makoa, Machame Mkuu, Shari and Machame Wari; In Siha district are Sikirari, Same, Mae, Kibong’oto, and Kyengia.
The higher belt, with 1000 – 1750mm of rainfall per year. This belt covers the societies of Umbwe Ndoo, Kibosho Mweka Sungu, Uru North Njari, Uru North Msuni, Uru Shimbwe, Kimochi, Tella Mandaka, Kirua Vunjo North, Kirua Vunjo West, Kirua Vunjo East, Kilema North, Legho Mullo, Marangu West, Mamba North, and Mwika Kinyamvuo.
These societies are located in the district of Moshi rural; Kyengia, Kishisha, Manio, Kashashi, Isuki, Kyeeri, Nronga and Foo are from Hai district.
There are societies which are found in between Higher and Middle belts these are Mengwe, Shimbi, Mashati and Olele, these societies are located in Rombo district. Primary Societies of Kibosho Central, Kindi, Mbokomu, Kilema South, Marangu East, Mwika North East, Mwika South East, Mrimbo Uuo, and Lyamungo are located in Moshi rural; from Hai district, are Kibong’oto Wanri, Masama Mula and Lemira Mroma.
Rombo is situated on the eastern slope of Mount Kilimanjaro. It stretches from the lower edge of the mountain forest reserve at 1,800-2,000 meters above sea level to the Kenyan border at 900-1,000 meters above sea level. It is bordered to the north and east by Kenya, to the west by the Hai district and to the south by the Moshi Rural district. The Rombo Districts contain a large portion of Mount Kilimanjaro. This is also the area that was first settled due to good rainfall and water availability, fertile soils and a healthy climate.
Moshi rural district occupies an area of 3,054.3 square kilometers on the southern slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. It is bordered to the north by the Rombo district, to the west by the Hai district, to the east by the Mwanga district and Kenya and to the south by the Manyara Region. The most significant physical feature in the district is the snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro, which is the highest in Africa. It extends from Rombo district in the east to Hai district in the west for 80 kilometers.
The Western Breach part of Mount Kilimanjaro is located in this district. It is bordered to the south and west by the Arusha Region, to the north by Kenya, and to the east by the Moshi Rural and Rombo districts. The district is now divided and formed new district called Siha.