Mount Meru is a magnificent mountain located in northern Tanzania that never fails to astound. In terms of mountaineering in Tanzania, this dormant stratovolcano, which is a component of the vast Arusha National Park, is the second-highest peak in Tanzania and among the highest in Africa, after the well-known Mount Kilimanjaro. Located about 70 kilometers to the west of Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru is a peak with a distinct charm and beauty that is sometimes overlooked by its more well-known neighbor.
Numerous rivers and streams that emerge from the melting snow and glaciers at the summit of Mount Meru can also be found in the vicinity of the mountain. These streams meander across the valleys, supporting the native Chagga people and the surrounding flora and animals. Geographically speaking, Mount Meru.
Mount Meru is very important historically and culturally, especially to the local Chaga people. The Chaga people have regarded the mountain as a sacred location for generations, considering it to be the ancestral home and the source of their civilization. In Chaga mythology, Mount Meru is regarded as the universe’s center and a bridge connecting the divine and the material world. The Chaga people hold the belief that the souls of their ancestors are housed within the mountain, offering the society protection, wisdom, and wealth. In addition, the Meru Mountain is essential to Chaga rites and rituals.