SWAHILI SECRETS

Swahili culture is one of those beautiful things to arise from the interaction of different people and cultures at the Eastern coasts of Africa. The melting pot of culture finds its roots from the African Bantus, however, it is heavily influenced by other cultures.

These include the Arabic, Indian, Persian, Chinese, Urdu, German and even English. Part of this beauty is evident in the language which is one of the most romantic languages one could have the pleasure of experiencing, when spoken right. Kiswahili sanifu as we call it, which refers to the ‘proper Swahili’. The language does have variations depending on what region of eastern Africa you find yourself, but we generally understand one another, and have the tools to hash out any misunderstandings.

As a Kenyan, when asked to tell someone about the Swahili culture, it can catch one off guard. Where to begin?

The thing about Swahili culture for us East Africans is that it is something we have lived with our entire lives, and not really given a second thought. Here is why it is such a phenomenon, for starters, there are over forty different tribes in Kenya alone, which means there are just as many cultural differences and norms. However, there is something that units us all, a language we all share, and that is the Swahili language. This means, even though we all have different mother tongues, we can still come together and understand one another, and do business with one another.

PS, I want to say, you are more likely to find a local who can speak Swahili but not English. This is one of the simple reasons the Swahili culture is such a force in Africa, it is the even playing field we all play on, in a sense. In Kenya it is officially a national language. And, you will find that this culture sweeps across several African countries, Kanye West even went as far as to coin the term Swaghili.

Due to pre-colonial trade and colonial experiences, Swahili culture came to be, and blossomed on the coasts of East and South-east Africa in Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Somali and the adjacent islands of Zanzibar and Comoros.

The culture also extends to the inlands of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, the Democratic republic of Congo and Malawi.

Another pleasure the culture has to offer is the food. Samosas, chapatis, mandazis with chai, pilau or biriani just to name a few, if you’ve never tried a Swahili dish you’re missing out.

These Swahili cuisines have influences from the Indian and Arabic cultures with alterations made to them due to religious reasons. The multicultural nature of the Swahili arena can also be seen in the art, furniture, architecture and even in the cloths. Looking at the patterns and shapes on the Kenyan Kanga (Leso), tells of how well trade with other cultures went on at the coasts of East Africa.

The music also has Arabic and Indian influence. Although the music has evolved over the years; if you’re looking for some Swahili music to satisfy your palate, I suggest you listen to some Bongo music.

The journey starts about 3000 years ago when the Bantus begun their eastward migrations from west and central Africa. Once at the coasts of East Africa, trade was mainly with Arab merchants, and it was a competitive trade area, as everyone sort to provide the best quality of goods. These included salts, ebony, gold, ivory, sand-wood and even slave trade.

It was around the 8th century when the Swahili people begun trading with the Arab, Persian, Indian, Chinese and Southeast Asian people in what was known as the Indian ocean trade.

This led several city states to flourish along the Swahili coast and adjacent islands. These were Muslim, cosmopolitan and politically

independent to one another. It is the mixture of the Perso-Arab and Bantu cultures in Kilwa, an island off modern day Tanzania, that is credited for creating Swahili as a distinct East African Culture and language.

At present day, in Kenya, the coast – Mombasa, is one of the best places to find truly potent Swahili cultural experiences. For those of you who would like to learn and experience more, I suggest you start by visiting SWAHILI SECRETS to learn more.

In closing, if you haven’t experienced much of the culture, smile, because there are many treats that lay ahead. Oh and did I mention, the coasts of Kenya, Swahili land, holds some of the most epic end year parties in East Africa. Check it out some time. Here are some Swahili words you can learn for your next trip to the Swahili lands

• GREETINGS: Habari/ As-salaam-alaikum/ Sasa / Jambo
• GOODBYES: Kwaheri/ Wa-alaikum-salaam
• THANKS: Asante
• PLEASE: Tafadhali
• WELCOME: Karibu
• MY NAME IS …: Jina langu ni …

By –Simon D.M. Karanja

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