Hakuna Matata!- it means “No Worries”! 

Jambo! If you sang the title above, then you are one step closer to speaking the language of- SWAHILI! This week`s #Linguablog will explore the history and world of Swahili.

Did you know that the word Swahili comes from the Arabic term for “coastal”? Swahili is a Bantu language enriched by influences from various languages, including Arabic. As a Swahili proverb says, “Ujuzi ni mali”—knowledge is wealth.

Swahili, or Kiswahili, is a language primarily spoken not only in Kenya but also in Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Mayotte, Comoros, Mozambique, Oman, some parts of Uganda, Somali (Bajuni Islands), and the eastern part of The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with an average of 150 million speakers. Amazing right?

Swahili is a second language and an official and national language in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, The DRC.

The origins of Swahili have been explained through different theories, one of which is the Shungwaya phenomenon. This theory suggests that the Mijikenda-  who trace their origins to Shungwaya, a historical region believed to have been in southern Somalia or northern Kenya – who speak a Bantu language, migrated from the Shungwaya region, located north of the Tana River in present-day Kenya. Their language had similarities to Swahili, which was already spoken along the East African coast. Some believe the Mijikenda were among the earliest Swahili speakers, contributing to the language’s development.

However, Swahili is more closely linked to the coastal languages of Kenya and Tanzania, indicating a more complex linguistic history.
The Tana River is ‘the longest river in Kenya,’ flowing from Mount Kenya to the Indian Ocean.  

The Swahili language significantly grew during the Indian Ocean trading network by the Arabs in the 11th century as it was used to communicate with the locals and in commercial exchange. During this time, the Arabs influenced the coastal communities regarding religion and impacted Swahili’s culture and language.

As a result, Arabic vocabulary and words were incorporated into the language. For instance, words like sheria (law),  adhabu– (punishment) were borrowed from Arabic. 

Even though Swahili was primarily spoken in the coast, it widely spread to other parts, bridging communication. 

Interestingly, Swahili has 15 main dialects and several pidgin forms While Mombasa and Tanzanian Swahili have substantially maintained the coastal dialect, Nairobi`s Swahili, on the other hand, is greatly influenced by the youth in Nairobi, who infuse some slang either from the local languages or English. At the same time, Congolese Swahili is greatly influenced by Lingala and French. A Kenyan living in Nairobi might not fully understand Tanzanian Swahili, and vice versa!

FUN FACT -The characters in The Lion King were named based on their meanings in Swahili. “Simba” translates to “lion,” “Nala” means “gift,” “Rafiki” signifies “friend,” “Pumbaa” means “foolish,” and “Sarabi” translates to “mirage.”

Sauti Sol Band-Culturally, Kiswahili has immensely influenced the culture of its speakers, from literature to music and dance. We have music genres such as Bongo flavor, Rhumba, Taarab, Afro-fusion, genge, and Benga. Popular musicians like Sauti Sol band,

Diamond Platnumz, and Yemi Alade from Nigeria are some of the contemporary musicians who have promoted the Swahili language. We also have phenomenal writers like Ken Walibora, Shaaban Robert, and Wallah Bin Wallah, who have contributed immensely to this beautiful language.

Swahili cuisine also reflects the rich Swahili culture. Whether you enjoy a simple street snack with “kachumbari” or a hearty meal like “pilau,” you will surely love it. With the influence of diverse cultures, you can not miss “chapati,” rotis, “ugali,” or “biryani” when trying out some Swahili dishes. We also have “nyama choma”( grilled goat, beef, or chicken), which is famous in Kenya and Tanzania.

A short recipe for typical Swahili nyama choma is essential to complete this article. You will need to prepare your ingredients as follows.

• The meat of your choice, e.g., cow or goat
• Garlic
• Thyme
• Black pepper
• Salt
• Soy sauce
• Honey
• Ginger
• Tumeric
• Rosemary
• Oil
• Lemon juice

1. Marinate your beef by mixing salt, rosemary, thyme, soy sauce, oil, black pepper, and lemon juice. 
2. Make small cuts in the meat, massage in the marinade, cover with cling foil, and refrigerate overnight. 
3. When ready to roast, wrap in baking paper and aluminum foil. 
4. Cook in the oven at 200°C for 2 hours or on a charcoal grill. 
5. Unwrap and return to heat for another 20 minutes. Serve and enjoy!

Despite the fact that Swahili is extensively used, it has faced various challenges. 

• The presence of various dialects has led to a loss of originality. For instance, Swahili, spoken in Nairobi, incorporates slang, often influenced by English.

• English and French are regarded as prestigious languages, and many young people, particularly in major cities, prefer using them over Kiswahili. Surprisingly, some parents even discourage their children from speaking Swahili at home.
• Swahili also faces competition in international businesses and technology as it is limited to East Africa and a few parts of Central Africa. 
• Although Swahili is an official/ national language in many East African countries, some governments use European languages in official settings, and there are fewer instances of Kiswahili. 

With a lack of policies put in place to reinforce the Swahili language, it is at risk of dying.  

Why should you learn #Swahili?

• It is widely used in trade, education, and diplomatic relations, significantly uniting people from different ethnic groups. Swahili has gained international recognition and is one of the official languages in the African Union. This is a significant step, and many opportunities, such as translators and interpreters, are tied to it.

Due to its millions of speakers, Swahili Courses are widespread in universities worldwide, including the USA and the UK.

• Swahili has been blended in the digital age. For instance, Swahili is available as a language option on Google and Facebook to increase accessibility. Mobile technology applications like the Mpesa mobile money app, primarily used in Kenya, have been highly influenced by Swahili. Popular films like The Lion King from Disney have also immensely utilized Swahili words, hence their importance in the film industry.

Learning Swahili is a ticket to joining one of the world’s most vibrant and diverse regions. You can imagine yourself strolling in the streets of Nairobi or Zanzibar, confidently saying Jambo to the locals. Moreover, mastering Swahili opens career opportunities in different fields such as international relations, education, translation and interpretation, and many more. In a globalized world, don`t miss learning Swahili.

You can now learn Swahili at Linguatopia. Send an email – hello@linguatopian.com and start your Swahili journey today.

By : Dorcus Mmbone