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Swahili Language and Culture

The Swahili language is spoken by over 100 million people worldwide, primarily in East and Central Africa. It is the national language of Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and is used in many neighboring countries. Come enjoy a safari, climb Kilimanjaro, and listen to local stories in Swahili!

134 Questions

What is the Swahili symbol for love?

The Swahili symbol for love is "upendo." It can be used to express affection, care, and appreciation towards someone or something.

How did the Swahili language develop?

Swahili developed as a trade language along the East African coast through interactions between Bantu-speaking communities and Arab traders. Over time, it absorbed vocabulary from various languages, including Arabic and Persian, to become the Swahili language we know today.

The Swahili language developed from a mixture of what languages?

Swahili is a Bantu language that developed from Sabaki.

Some words are derived from Arabic through more than 12 centuries of contact with Arabic-speaking people.

Other languages that loaned words to Swahili are:

Persian

German

Portuguese

English

French

CLARIFICATION: Swahili is a Bantu language with a basic Bantu-type grammar and a vocabulary drawn from many Bantu languages. There is no language in East Africa called Sabaki. By far the greatest number of non-Bantu words in Swahili have Arabic origins, but in recent decades English has been catching up.

How do you say goodbye in Swahili language?

Kwaheri (if talking to one person), or kwaherini if talking to more than one.

What are the Swahili words for the child is falling?

The Swahili translation for "the child is falling" is "mtoto ananguka."

Kiswahili ni kibantu kwa tabia kwajina ni kiarabu thibitisha kauli hii kwakutumia ushaidi WA kihisimu?

Kiswahili ni lugha ya Kibantu kutokana na asili yake ya Kiafrika, lakini pia ina athari za Kiarabu, hasa katika maneno na misamiati mingine. Ushahidi wa kihistoria unathibitisha mchanganyiko huu wa asili ya Kibantu na athari za Kiarabu katika maendeleo na muundo wa Kiswahili tangu karne za awali.

What are the Swahili speaking countries?

Swahili is spoken in several countries in East Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is also used as a lingua franca in some parts of the region.

How do i say enjoy your lunch in Swahili?

To say "enjoy your lunch" in Swahili, you can say "Kufurahia chakula chako cha mchana."

Why don't Swahili people eat pork?

The people follow the Sunni religion of Islam, pork is a forbidden food

Is Swahili still spoken today?

Yes, Swahili is still widely spoken today. It is the lingua franca of several East African countries, including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Swahili is also one of the official languages of the African Union.

What 2 languages created the Swahili language?

The Swahili language has roots in Arabic and Bantu languages. Arabic influence is particularly significant due to historical trade connections along the East African coast.

What African kingdom used Swahili to help traders communicate?

The Swahili language was used by the Swahili city-states in East Africa, such as Kilwa, Mogadishu, and Zanzibar, to facilitate trade with merchants from Arabia, Persia, India, and other regions. These city-states were wealthy trading hubs that thrived from the 8th to the 15th centuries.

What does your dia mean in Swahili?

"Your dia" in Swahili would translate to "rafiki yako" or "mpenzi wako," depending on the context.

How was the Swahili coast affected by trade?

The Swahili coast was greatly influenced by trade due to its strategic location along East Africa. The region became prosperous as it served as a hub for trade between Africa, Arabia, India, and even China. This led to the development of vibrant city-states along the coast that were culturally diverse and economically thriving.

What is the word for the numeral one in Swahili?

Swahili is a language that is spoken by the Swahili people in countries such as Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. The word for the numeral one in Swahili is 'moja'.

How was kilwan and example of a Swahili city state?

Kilwa was a successful Swahili city-state due to its strategic location for trade in the Indian Ocean. It controlled key trade routes and engaged in commerce with other regions, allowing it to prosper from trade in gold, ivory, and slaves. Kilwa also had a sophisticated urban layout, with stone buildings and a centralized power structure controlled by a Sultan.

What combination of cultures developed on the East African coast creating Swahili?

Swahili culture developed from a combination of indigenous Bantu peoples with Arab, Persian, and Indian influences due to extensive trade networks along the East African coast. This confluence of cultures resulted in a unique blend of language, customs, and belief systems that characterize the Swahili people.

What religion dominates the Swahili culture?

i say it is mainly Islam Christianity and traditional culutures of Africa

Would you translate good morning in a Swahili language?

The common (customary) English greeting (salutation) "good morning" roughly translates to "habari za asubuhi" or "asubuhi njema" or "subalkheri".

Of the three versions stated above "habari za asubuhi " is perhaps the most commonly used and widely recognized in most Swahili speaking regions of East and Central Africa such as most regions of Kenyaincluding the capital Nairobi.

NOTES:

a. Habari za asubuhi? is a question (what's the news this morning?) and requires an answer: nzuri or njema (both meaning good), or something else that means the news is good.

b. Asubuhi njema is a departure wish (like the American "Have a nice day"), not a greeting.c. This contributor learned Subalkheri, a proper morning greeting, 45+ years ago but has never heard anyone use it.