World Kiswahili Day 2025 with Sema Jambo ….
Sema Jambo Awards 2025 – A Glittering Gala Swahili Evening Celebrating World Kiswahili Day!
Following the resounding success of the 2024 SJA World Kiswahili Day Evening at the London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square and the finale event at the prestigious River Room, House of Lords, we are delighted to invite you to join us for an even grander celebration in 2025!
World Kiswahili Day 2025 Celebrations:
Launch: Thursday, July 3rd, 2025
The Iconic River Room, House of Lords, Palace of Westminster, London
Grand Finale: Monday, July 7th, 2025
Commemorating the UN-designated World Kiswahili Day
The Highlight Event – The SJA Glittering Gala Swahili Evening
Saturday, July 5th, 2025 at the 5-star London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square – 6:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Experience an unforgettable evening of elegance, culture, and celebration, where Swahili traditions, music, fashion, art, cuisine, and excellence come alive.
The Sema Jambo Awards (SJA) will honour outstanding individuals, businesses, creatives, and community champions who embody the spirit and beauty of Swahili culture worldwide.
Join us to celebrate, network, and shine a global spotlight on the vibrant Swahili heritage at this prestigious gala. Don’t miss this unique celebration of Swahili excellence on the world stage!
#BeautifulSwahili
Sema Jambo!
Which simply means Say Hi in the Beautiful Language – Kiswahili!
A celebration of cultures, music, and food
Sema Jambo is a celebration of cultures, music, and food, sharing the richness of Kiswahili with the world and inviting travellers to explore Swahili-speaking countries.
Last July, we proudly launched our inaugural Sema Jambo Gala Swahili Evening, honouring the unsung heroes who have contributed to the awareness of Kiswahili through various forms of art and expression.
This event was a first not only in the UK but possibly in the world, bringing Kiswahili to the heart of London on World Kiswahili Day in July 2023!
Sema Jambo is a celebration of cultures, music, and food, sharing the richness of Kiswahili with the world and inviting travellers to explore Swahili-speaking countries. Last July, we proudly launched our inaugural Sema Jambo Gala Swahili Evening, honouring the unsung heroes who have contributed to the awareness of Kiswahili through various forms of art and expression. This event was a first not only in the UK but possibly in the world, bringing Kiswahili to the heart of London on World Kiswahili Day in July 2023!
The Swahili people, known for their vibrant culture and historical significance, call the East African coast home, spanning from Somalia to Mozambique. With influences from Bantu, Arabs, Indians, Persians, and Portuguese, the Swahili people represent a rich mosaic of races and cultures.
Kiswahili, spoken by over 300 million individuals, serves as the most widely spoken African language, acting as a unifying force across diverse communities. Rooted in Bantu origins, Kiswahili reflects centuries of trade and cultural exchange, incorporating words and expressions from Arabic, Persian, Portuguese, and English.
On the 7th of July, World Kiswahili Day, officially recognised by the United Nations in 2022, MTM Awards, in collaboration with Bristol Black Carers, commemorated this significant day at The River Room of the House of Lords in Westminster. Baroness Sandy Verma of the House of Lords graciously hosted the event, with H.E Dr. Asha-Rose Migiro, High Commissioner of the United Republic of Tanzania to the United Kingdom & Republic of Ireland, serving as our esteemed chief guest.
The following year, in 2023, JMP CIC, partnering once again with Bristol Black Carers, returned to the River Room on July 5th, bringing together Swahili-speaking icons from the UK and abroad. The event continued to foster cultural exchange and celebration. This evening was filled with Swahili language, culture and music, highlighting the richness and diversity of Swahili-speaking communities.
Taarab music captures the essence of Swahili culture with its melodious tunes and poetic lyrics, influenced by Arab and Indian traditions. Traditional dances, marked by lively movements, embody communal joy and unity at festive occasions.
Swahili attire, including the vibrant Kanga (Leso), reflects the collective knowledge and humour of Swahili households, adorned with messages and patterns.
Swahili cuisine, blending Indian and Arabic flavours, showcases staple ingredients like rice, coconut, and spices, offering a taste of Swahili culture to the world.
Join us at the World Kiswahili Day Festivities in London from July 4th to 7th, 2024 as we continue to bring diverse communities together through Sema Jambo!
For booking and partnership inquiries, please email us at semajambo@gmail.com.
Sema Jambo, like our sister organisation, MTM Awards, is dedicated to fostering unity and celebration among all communities.