The Baobab Tree
The Baobab Tree is a heartfelt story about genuine friendship, grief, and healing. Set against the culturally rich backdrop of Tanzania’s Barabaig Tribe (a subgroup of the Datoga people), the film honors their sacred customs and burial traditions—offering a perspective rarely seen in mainstream media on how we say goodbye.
The Datoga are agro-pastoral nomadic people who live in the north-central regions of Tanzania near Mt. Hanang, Lake Eyasi, and Lake Basotu. They are considered among the oldest tribes in Tanzania, and many sub-groups exist. The Barabaig Tribe in particular has a unique burial ritual reserved only for the most respected elderly men. A Bung’eda—a tomb made from sticks and mud—is constructed in a cylindrical shape. The deceased is placed upright, facing east (toward the rising sun), symbolizing eternal life. The circular shape of the grave signifies continuity—life without end.
