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Do you have a captivating story to share about Swahili-speaking communities around the globe?

From their rich culture and origins to their vibrant traditions, music, art, crafts, and delectable cuisine—there's so much to explore and celebrate!

If you have compelling images or videos that showcase the beauty and diversity of Swahili-speaking communities, we'd love to feature them. Share your stories with our editor at semajambo@gmail.com.

Please note that all images and videos must be free to use, ensuring that we can honour and highlight the incredible richness of Swahili culture responsibly. Join us in celebrating the vibrant tapestry of Swahili-speaking communities worldwide!

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Swahili – socialist overtones!

Over time, the term "Swahili" acquired socialist overtones, celebrating the dignity and worth of ordinary Tanzanians and standing as a testament to their resilience in the face of socio-economic challenges. This inclusive definition of "Swahili" transcended racial and...

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Kiswahili- The endorsement!

The endorsement of Swahili by influential political figures in East Africa further solidified its status as a language of significance. Leaders like Julius Nyerere of Tanzania and Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya recognized the intrinsic value of Swahili for advancing regional...

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Swahili’s ascent to prominence!

Swahili's ascent to prominence among diverse linguistic groups in Africa can be traced back to its pivotal role as an international medium of communication during the struggle for independence in the region. In the decades preceding the liberation of Kenya, Uganda,...

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Kiswahili takes centre stage!

Swahili has emerged as the foremost language of Africa, boasting over 300 million speakers and earning recognition as the continent's most prominent linguistic asset. The African Union's adoption of Swahili as its official international language underscores the deep...

Celebrating the Beauty of Kiswahili Bringing the Swahili World to London

CEO Junior Sheikh World Kiswahili Day UK

Yesterday April 11th 2024 marked the beginning of an exciting journey for World Kiswahili Day, as we embarked on our inaugural expedition with great enthusiasm. Our first destination was the United Republic of Tanzania High Commission in London, located just a stone’s...

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On The Road World Kiswahili Day London!

World Kiswahili Day On The Road embarked on its inaugural journey with great excitement, setting its first destination at the United Republic of Tanzania High Commission in London. Located just a stone’s throw from the prestigious London Marriott Grosvenor Square,...

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Do You Have The Spark to Host!

World Kiswahili Day Opportunities! Calling all charismatic and Swahili-fluent ladies 18 to 35! Do you have the spark to co-host the World Kiswahili Day Gala Evening ‘main stage’ at 5 Star London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square July 6th 2024? If you're witty,...

SJA Awards Nominations Now Open!

SJA Awards Nominations Now Open!

“Participation is as good as winning  It’s about making that decision.” As we celebrate our second SJA Awards, we proudly reflect on the last 12 months.  In the span of the 2 years, of our existence and 3 years since we launched the World Kiswahili Day celebrations in...

World Kiswahili Day London! The way it was in 2023.

World Kiswahili Day London! The way it was in 2023.

At the World Kiswahili Day Glittering Gala Evening held in Westminster London, attendees experienced a mesmerizing event celebrating the richness of Swahili culture. The 1st Sema Jambo Awards (SJA) by MTM was grandly launched, honouring outstanding achievements within...

Swahili Khanga

Kanga from East Africa

Kanga, a traditional East African garment, is primarily worn by women along the East African coastline, extending to the Comoro Islands. Made of 100% cotton, it features a rectangular shape with a brightly coloured decorative border and a Swahili proverb, such as...

DESTINATIONS ALL AFRICA ASIA EUROPE MIDDLE EAST NORTH AMERICA TRAVEL RESOURCESDIGITAL SHOPWORK WITH MEPRESSHOME What to do in Stone Town Zanzibar (2023) | Much to do on Unguja! A colorful beach hut at Miami South Beach Zanzibar is one of the most sought after island destinations in Tanzania in the Zanzibar Archipelago. Azure beaches and the warm Indian Ocean provide some of the best seafood and sunsets here. The people are welcoming and the town is bursting with culture. Here's what to do in Stone Town Zanzibar to have the best time! Zanzibar is a city, island, and region in Tanzania. Located off the coast of Eastern Africa, it lies east of Dar es Salaam on mainland Tanzania, and west of the border with Kenya. The capital is Zanzibar City. It is a popular tourist destination known for its history and beaches. Of historical importance, Zanzibar is the only place in Africa where cloves grow and was once a major clove producer. Moreover, the island produces spices such as nutmeg, mace and black pepper. Today's Zanzibar is known for its abundant wildlife reserves, which are home to an astounding array of marine species: dolphins (bottlenose and common), dugongs, sharks, and several species of turtles. Also in the waters surrounding Zanzibar are coral reefs that contain a variety of fish species. The culture of Zanzibar is diverse, with its own language, cuisine. and music. Zanzibar has a rich history that can be traced to early settlers from Southern Arabia, particularly Oman. There’s much to do here and I share what to do in Stone Town to have an amazing few days here! Do you need a visa to visit Zanzibar? Since Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, most foreign visitors still need a visa to get there. Foreign travellers can obtain a visa in a traditional way, which means visiting the nearest Tanzanian Embassy located in their neighbourhood. It is the official way to get an obligatory permit. However, those who want to make it a bit easier and quicker, can apply for the electronic version of the Tanzania visa and get the necessary document delivered directly to the email inbox. Tanzania e-Visa is an electronic, single-entry visa that allows its holders to visit Tanzania (and Zanzibar) for up to 30 days. That’s more than enough for a one-time trip! You can use it for all leisure-related purposes, whether you want to go on a relaxing getaway, an exciting safari exploration, or a combination of both, the Tanzania e-Visa will be perfect! The best part about obtaining the Tanzania e-Visa before visiting Zanzibar is the fact that the whole application process takes place online. How to apply? Grab your valid passport, the applicant’s face photo (that also may be in digital form), and your return ticket. Submit your application at least 10 business days before the planned trip and wait for the approved document to be delivered to you via email. Stone Town 2.JPG What to do in Stone Town Zanzibar Here’s some of the things to do in Stone Town Sample Street Food at Forodhani Gardens Forodhani Gardens is a beautiful park by the Indian Ocean coast, located right across the Arab Fort. The park makes for a beautiful post-lunch afternoon stroll but the garden truly comes alive after dark for its nightly food market. The Zanzibar Pizza is the hottest selling dish here (literally and metaphorically!). You can also try out many other Zanzibari and Swahili dishes here including grilled cassava, coconut bread, garlic chapatti, meat kebabs and roasted corn amongst others. DETAILS Address: Mizingani Rd, Zanzibar, Tanzania Timings: Open 24 hours Location can be found here Take a Sunset Stroll at Stone Town Beach Since Stone Town is surrounded by the beach on almost three sides, it’s most likely to end up at Stone Town Beach at some point or the other. A stroll on the beach is a great way to get acquainted with the local way of life in Stone Town since most people come here to relax after a hard day of work. You can see people dancing, doing acrobatics, singing and just having a good time, especially during the sunset. Stone Town 10.JPG Pay a visit to the Old Fort The Old Fort goes by several names. Many also know it by the Arab Fort and locally this place is called Ngome Kongwe. This fort was built in the 17th century by the Arabs from Oman atop an older Portuguese Church. It was built to help defend against the occupying Portuguese army. Ever since, the fort has gone through several transformations - from a prison in the 19th century to a tennis club around the time of the 1964 Revolution! In the present day, tourists can explore this fort for free and visit its many souvenir shops and restaurants. Every now and then, there are also live musical performances at the open theatre in the fort - so keep an eye out for those! DETAILS Address: Mizingani Rd, Zanzibar, Tanzania Timings: 8AM to 6PM Approximate price: None (tours cost extra) Take a Dhow to Nakupenda Beach A dhow is a traditional wooden Arabic sailing boat that is widely used even today in Zanzibar. While on a sunset stroll on Stone Town Beach, you can see them coming back to port after a full day of fishing. There are also several sunset dhow cruises which you can take from Stone Town but the best way to enjoy the charm of a dhow is to take one to the famous Nakupenda Beach. Nakupenda means ‘I love you’ and that is exactly how you’ll feel about this white sandy beach with azure blue waters after just one visit! Stone Town 4.JPG Colorful mural of women Wynwood walls to see on your Miami 2 days itinerary Stay at a Swahili Hotel Spending a night (or two) in a traditional Swahili-style hotel can give you an insight into the Swahili architectural style that was once used widely but is now being replaced by more modern options. One of the most preferred of these hotels is the Swahili House Inn. This once was a house belonging to an Indian merchant in the 19th century. Almost 125 years later, this building has been converted into a hotel from its original state, making for a very authentic experience! Go Shopping at Darajani Market Darajani Market is where most of the action happens in Stone Town. This is the hotspot where most commercial activities of the town take place, also making it a great spot to shop for souvenirs. Some of the most unique things to buy here include the kanga which is a colourful traditional garment worn by women (and sometimes even men) as a wrap-around skirt, head wrap or other styles. You can also buy locally made handbags, paintings and textiles here to take back home for yourself, or for friends and family. Another very interesting thing to experience at Darajani Market is the early morning fish auction that takes place daily at the end chamber of the market. Experiencing the frantic energy with which all these exotic fishes get sold off is definitely a sight to behold. DETAILS Address: Market St, Zanzibar, Tanzania Timings: 8:30 am to 6 pm Approximate price: Entry free Stone Town 6.JPG Visit the Hamamni Persian Bath My first experience in a hammam was in Granada while I was traveling through Spain in a week. It was an invigorating experience and I came away with soft glowing skin after my experience! Sitting bang in the middle of the town is the first Hamamni Persian Bath that was ever built in Zanzibar. In 1889, This public bath was commissioned by Sultan Barghash bin Said to be made by Shirazi architects in the traditional Persian style. But because of its entry fee back then, it was only accessible to the elite and the wealthy. These baths went on to be used until as late as the 1920s. In the present day, however, tourists can visit these ancient rooms that once served as baths for 1 USD only. The Warm Room is something to look out for - named so because of geothermal water springs flowing underground. Details Address: Soko Ya Mohogo, Near Maru Maru Hotel, Zanzibar, Tanzania Approximate price: 1 USD entry fee Enjoy Local Life at Jaw’s Corner Jaw’s Corner is where most of the local socializing take place throughout the day. Jaw’s Corner is essentially an intersection of the narrow alleyways of Stone Town where local men sit to chat over copious hot cups of Zanzibari black coffee. The coffee is served in traditional Zanzibari style - unsweetened and coffee sips are alternated with sweet peanut brittle for maximum flavour. Visit the Freddie Mercury House Freddie Mercury, the much-acclaimed British singer and songwriter and the lead vocalist of Queens, was born in Stone Town before being sent off to India for schooling. The place where he spent his initial few years are located in the main market area in Stone Town is now the Freddie Mercury Museum which was inaugurated in 2019. Visitors here can get a peek into the challenging yet glorious life Freddie Mercury lived. There is also a restaurant named Mercury located on the waterfront that honours the singer. DETAILS Address: P.O. Box 3181, Shangani, Stone Town, Zanzibar Timings: 10 am to 6 pm Approximate price: 7 GBP for adults; 4.5 GBP for kids A big wall with a colorful mural of birds to see on your Miami itinerary 2 days Go Snorkelling at Chumbe Island Chumbe Island makes for a great day trip from Stone Town since it is a hub for water activities. The island houses a well-protected reef sanctuary which is home to over 200 species of fish and reefs. The sanctuary is kept in check from polluting human activities by disallowing scuba diving and needing the procure a special permit for snorkelling. This site is so pristine that some even call it the best snorkelling destination in all of East Africa - making it definitely worth a visit! Marvel at the Famous Stone Town Doors If there’s one thing Instagram tells you about Stone Town, is its many beautiful, intricately designed doorways. These Zanzibari masterpieces often give an insight into the homeowner’s heritage and economic status. These doors are also symbolic of a person’s wealth and the designs on many of these doorways can be traced back to India, specifically Gujarat with the massive brass studs. On the other hand, Arabic doors usually have inscriptions on top and the lotus, pineapple and chains are common motifs found on these doors. Try Your hand at Coffee Roasting at Zanzibar Coffee House Coffee is one of the most important drinks in Tanzania and there’s no better way to learn about its cultural importance than to attend a coffee roasting session at Stone Town’s Zanzibar Coffee House. Apart from a day of roasting and tasting the aromatic Arabic coffee, Zanzibar Coffee House also offers accommodation as well as a tour of their coffee farm. The rooftop breakfast available in this place is also to die for! DETAILS Address: 1563, 64 Mkunazini St, Zanzibar, Tanzania Timings: 8:30 am to 6 pm Visit the Giant Turtles of Changuu Island Changuu Island is a popular day trip from Stone Town and is known for its Aldabra giant tortoises which can be seen roaming around freely throughout the island. These tortoises are believed to have been brought from the Seychelles to Zanzibar. Changuu Island is also a wonderful snorkelling destination thanks to its beautiful reefs. However, there is a dark past to this island as well. This island formerly used to be a punishment place for slaves and also a quarantine place for those with yellow fever. Hence, Changuu Island is also often known as Prison Island. Pay Respects at the Malindi Mosque Malindi Mosque is an architectural phenomenon that is also one of the oldest mosques in Stone Town. It is also known as the Ijumaa Mosque and is believed to have been built around the 1830s on the site of an even older mosque, possibly dating back to the 15th century. The mosque belongs to the Sunni sect and it is known to be one of the only three mosques featuring cone-shaped minarets sitting on square platforms. A mausoleum which is located right across the street from the mosque is also worth checking out. DETAILS Address: Malindi, Stone Town, Zanzibar Timings: Open 24 hours Approximate price: Entry free Attend a Zanzibari's Taarab Performance at Dhow Countries Music Academy The Dhow Countries Music Academy (DCMA) is Zanzibar’s only music school that aims to protect the traditional music of countries from the “dhow region” including Comoros, Iran, Oman, Kuwait - and of course, Tanzania. The DCMA hosts concerts every week at the Old Customs House in Stone Town, of which a Taarab performance is something worth experiencing. DETAILS Address: Mizingani Road, Opp. Mizingani Seafront Hotel, Zanzibar, Tanzania Timings: Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm; Saturday 9 am to 4 pm; Sunday closed Approximate price: Prices vary (usually around 5 GBP) Take a Spice Tour at Spice Island The Zanzibar archipelago is also often known as the “Spice Island” because of its strong usage of various spices in traditional food. The spices of Zanzibar find their origins in India, Persia and the Arab region. Some of the most commonly grown spices here include nutmeg, black pepper, cloves and cinnamon. The spice tour is a fascinating experience to learn how each of these spices is grown, and their importance in foods as well as overall health. Indulge in Swahili Food at Lukmaan Restaurant Lukmaan Restaurant is the place to go to for those who would like to experience traditional Tanzanian cuisine. What earlier used to be a regular local haunt has become increasingly popular with tourists wanting to get a taste of the local food. Some of the must-try dishes here include the mouth-watering octopus curry which pairs well with the pilau rice. While curries taste different to those you would have in India (or Goa), most spices are similar. They also have a number of fruit juices and smoothies options (especially the passionfruit juice) on their menu which are worth a try. DETAILS Address: The Mkunazini Baobab tree, New Mkunazini Rd, Zanzibar, Tanzania Timings: 8 am to 11 pm Stone Town 3.JPG Stone Town 12.JPG Experience a Local Festival Attending local festivals is a great way to immerse in a foreign culture and this goes for Stone Town too. Throughout the year, several festivals take place in the town including the Zanzibar International Film Festival, Stone Town Food Festival and the Sauti za Busara arts festival. Make sure to search up the dates for these and see if they coincide with your vacation dates! Visit the Livingstone Beach Restaurant The Livingstone Beach Restaurant is an iconic place in Stone Town which pays homage to David Livingstone. David Livingstone was a Scottish explorer who led the acclaimed anti-slavery campaign which led to the abolishment of the slave trade in 1873. He lived in Stone Town before embarking on his last expedition. The house where he used to live is now the Livingstone Beach Restaurant, a great place to grab a bite or enjoy Stone Town’s nightlife. Address: House 48 Shanghani Stone Town, 3661, Tanzania Timings: Monday to Thursday 10:30 am to 12 am; Friday and Saturday 12:30 am to 2 am; Sunday 10:30 am to 12:30 am Take a Day Trip to Jozani Forest The Jozani Forest, or the Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park, is the only national park in Zanzibar. It is most famous for its population of the Zanzibar red colobus, also known as Kirk’s red colobus. Other animals found in this national park include the nocturnal Zanzibar tree hyrax, bush babies, Sykes monkeys and the Zanzibar leopard. The park is also home to over 50 species of birds and butterflies, making it a paradise for nature enthusiasts! The park has a natural trail and mangrove swamps which can be explored on foot along with a guide. DETAILS Address: Mapopwe, Tanzania Timings: 7:30 am to 5 pm Approximate price: 1,200 TZS (less than 1 GBP) Stone Town Zanzibar on Sema Jambo

Kiswahili Day July 7th!

Enjoy an exquisite Swahili Dinner Evening of swahili culture, music and entertainment honouring those from Swahili speaking countries in the UK, Europe and across international waters for their excellence in propagating Swahili across the globe

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We Are BACK!

We Are BACK at the River Room House of Lords, London! On July 5th, 2023, the MTM Awards, in partnership with Bristol Black Carers and other organizations, held the second World Kiswahili Day celebrations at The River Room of the House of Lords in Westminster. The...