Kiswahili is not limited to the East African coast — it stretches far beyond, connecting over 250 million people across the globe.
It is time the language is celebrated for what it truly is: a unifying bridge across more than 19 African countries and deep into the Middle East, with historic Swahili influences strongly rooted in Yemen and Oman.
From dress, dialect, and cuisine, Swahili-speaking communities span East and Central Africa, the Great Lakes region, Southern and South-Eastern Africa, and across the Indian Ocean, Mauritius to the Seychelles and the Comoros Islands. Beyond the coast, Kiswahili has long been the language of trade, connection, and community in the African interior.
A true Swahili celebration is therefore not confined to the coast. It is a vibrant tapestry of cultures, foods, fabrics, rhythms, and stories drawn from all these lands.
In the diaspora especially, it is essential that World Kiswahili Day reflects this shared heritage — bringing together all Swahili-speaking communities, wherever they are in the world.
After all, we are celebrating a global language, spoken by over 250 million people, that continues to connect nations, generations, and identities.
Join Sema Jambo by MTM from 7–12 July, for World Kiswahili Day celebrations across London — where language, culture, and unity meet.