World Kiswahili Day by MTM 2025

World Kiswahili Day by MTM 2025

The MTM Awards, since their inception in 2022, have made significant strides across the UK and internationally, promoting culture, supporting charities, and launching impactful projects. Recognising Kiswahili as one of the official languages of the United Nations in 2022 has underscored its importance in fostering cultural exchange and understanding.

One notable achievement is the recognition of Kiswahili as an official UN language in 2022, highlighting its role in cultural exchange and unity. In celebration of this, the MTM Awards launched the inaugural World Kiswahili Day at the House of Lords in London, where Baroness Sandy Verma stepped in as the chief guest following the illness of Lord Mohamed Altaf Shaikh. This historic event on July 7th, 2022, marked the first Kiswahili Day outside the UN Headquarters.

MTM Awards have also initiated the Sema Jambo Awards to honour change makers and trailblazers among the 250 million Kiswahili speakers globally. Baroness Verma, who has been pivotal in this celebration, is a prominent global business leader with extensive experience in politics. Since joining the House of Lords in 2006, she has held various key ministerial roles, demonstrating her strengths in leadership, strategy, and transformative initiatives.

Swahili Language and Culture

Swahili is a Bantu language enriched significantly by loanwords from various languages, primarily Arabic. It serves as the mother tongue of the Waswahili people, who inhabit the East African coast and islands such as Zanzibar, Pemba, Kilwa, and the Comoros.

Linguistic and Regional Significance

Swahili holds a prominent place as one of the three official languages of the East African Community (EAC), alongside English and French. EAC member countries include Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. Additionally, Swahili functions as a lingua franca across the African Great Lakes region and parts of East and Southern Africa, including areas in Malawi, Mozambique, the southern tip of Somalia, and Zambia.

Swahili is also recognised as a working language by both the African Union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Its speakers, encompassing both native and second-language users, are estimated to exceed 200 million people.

Cultural Heritage

The Waswahili boast a rich cultural heritage that extends beyond their sophisticated language. Their customs and traditions include vibrant forms of expression, such as the Kirumbizi dance and Chakacha dance, which often feature prominently in weddings and celebrations.

Swahili music is known for its harmonious appeal, supported by traditional instruments such as:

  • The gambusi, a guitar-like string instrument.
  • The nzumari, a traditional flute.
  • The piano accordion, which adds depth to their melodies.

Literature and Faith

Swahili literature is renowned for its depth and historical significance, offering a wealth of poetry, proverbs, and tales that reflect the values and wisdom of the Waswahili. Furthermore, the majority of the Swahili-speaking community adheres to the tenets of Islam, which significantly influences their way of life and cultural practices.

Swahili remains a unifying and vibrant thread in the cultural and linguistic tapestry of East Africa and beyond.