The Tanzanian Rift Valley Area – running from the northern border with Kenya through Arusha, Manyara, and southwards into Dodoma region – has been witness to the arrivals, movements, and exchanges of an incredible diversity of peoples, from prehistoric up to modern times. The Area stands out for its many layers of history, its array of interconnected cultures, and its myriad of distinct languages. The Rift Valley Network (https://riftvalleynetwork.weebly.com/) is an academic community dedicated to deepening our understanding of this place.