Why You Should NOT Wear Shorts in Tanzania

Tanzania is a beautiful country with amazing wildlife and breathtaking scenery. As you prepare to travel there, one thing you may be wondering is, Can I wear shorts in Tanzania? And in what setting is it appropriate?

You should not wear shorts in Tanzania. Tanzanian people are very conservative and may be easily offended by shorts that expose the thighs or fit too tightly. Towns and cities are more liberal about shorts than villages but the general rule is that you avoid wearing shorts to avoid offending the local people, whether in a town or a village. In this article, I will explain why shorts are offensive in Tanzania to discuss a few exceptions to the rule and where you can get away with wearing a short.

Why are shorts offensive in Tanzania

I have only been to the border town of Namanga but Kenya, where I live, and Tanzania share a lot of cultural similarities. I have also interacted with many Tanzanians and have a good understanding of the value system there. I generally find Tanzania to be more conservative than Kenya with Kenya having similar standards to most western countries. Some things tourists do in Kenya would be seen as totally unacceptable in Tanzania.

Most of Tanzania is either Christian or Muslim. Many are also very traditional. They view people who wear revealing clothing as immoral or indecent and this is reinforced in their religious circles.

It is for this reason that shorts that are short enough to expose the thighs or too tight will be looked down upon. If you are wearing these, you are likely to be looked at as indecent and this will change the way people treat you. Although Tanzanian’s are some of the most polite people in the continent and you do not expect them to confront you directly, you will feel an undertone of discomfort in your interactions. You are likely to be given nasty looks by people on the street and this can get really unnerving.

In addition to this, if you are visiting any religious buildings, you are likely to seriously offend the people there and may get prevented from getting in.

4 Places where shorts are acceptable in Tanzania

1. The beach & swimming pools:People generally expect you to dress more lightly and they will not be offended if they see you in shorts.
2. Within the hotel premises: Hotel staff and other guests are generally more used to seeing people in revealing clothes and will not take offence when they see you in shorts. You will need to use wisdom to guide you on the appropriate length. Be careful not to leave the premises dressed this way though.
3. In your room: It goes without saying that you have the freedom to dress as you please within the confines of your room.
4. On game drives:Where you will not be visiting any curio shops along your way. However, I do not advise you to do this since the bush has tsetse flies and mosquitoes and you will have exposed yourself to their bites.

Places you should never wear shorts in Tanzania

Below are places you should avoid if you are wearing shorts.

Religious buildings

When going to visit churches, mosques and other places of worship, you should totally refrain from wearing anything that exposes your knees and thighs. Short skirts and Shorts are viewed as very provocative and offensive and will result in you being prevented from entering or removed if you entered before someone took notice.

Markets and Bazaars

African Markets are usually very busy and bustling places. You will walk in close quarters to other people and interact with people from all walks of life in Tanzania. Most of the people in traditional African markets are generally not as educated as the average Tanzanian and therefore have stronger biases than your typical Tanzanian.

The risk of direct confrontation with people who think you are indecently dressed is also higher and it is a really bad idea to visit these markets dressed in anything that is above the knees.

Public transportation

In public transport vehicles, you will be seated close to the locals and since shorts are not very common, you will attract the wrong type of attention and probably cause offence in the people here.

Public Streets

When dressed in a peculiar way on the streets, you will be announcing to the passers-by that you are a foreigner and this may make you an easy target for pick pocketers and thieves. You generally want to blend in when walking in the streets and wearing a short does not help with this.

What length of shorts are acceptable in Tanzania

The kind of short that will offend Tanzanians is any short that exposes the knees and thighs. Also, distressed shorts that maybe cover up the knees but expose some skin will also be viewed as indecent and you should avoid this too.

You may also have shorts that cover up your knees and thighs but its really tight. This is also likely to offend a Tanzanian and you should, therefore, avoid it as well.

Alternatives to Shorts when travelling to Tanzania

The alternative to wearing shorts in Tanzania are long pants that are not tightly fitting. Knee-length skirts and dresses are also acceptable alternatives.

Are Short Skirts also Offensive in Tanzania?

You may also be wondering if short skirts or dresses are viewed as offensive by Tanzanians. The answer to this is YES.  In fact, a very short skirt is likely to offend a Tanzanian more than a short of the same length.

The same rules apply to short skirts in Tanzania and should be keenly followed to avoid any confrontations.  

Are there any legal implications for revealing clothing in Tanzania?

If what you are wearing is very revealing, the Tanzanian authority may arrest you for indecent exposure. You will really need to be really exposed for this to happen but it’s important to take note of this.

The police in Tanzania, as it is in other African countries, often take bribes and they may scare you into paying them if they accuse you of being indecently dressed. This is unlikely to happen but it is a possibility that you should avoid.

Conclusion

When visiting Tanzania, understanding the culture will help you relate well with the people and enhance your travel experience. Take some time and research some more on the cultural tendencies of the Tanzanians to ensure that your stay there will be fun and fulfilling.