Swahili

Swa-hi-li

(no prefixes or suffixes)

Swahili refers both to a language and a people group.

a Bantu language that is widely spoken in areas of Africa, it has many Arabic elements and words from

other languages

Desertification

de·sert·i·fi·ca·tion

Root

Desertification can be seen in many areas of Africa.

the change that takes place when arable land dries out and becomes desert

Savanna

sa·van·na

Root

The savanna was the setting for the Lion King movie.

Park-like landscape of grasslands with scattered trees that can survive dry spells, found in tropical areas

with dry seasons

Literacy Rate

Lit·er·a·cy Rate

Literatus = learned, scholarly

The United States has one of the highest literacy rates in the world.

percent of people who can read and write. Considered one of a nation’s growth factors.

Swahili People

Swahili

• Swahili is both a language and an ethnic group which developed from Bantu

• The Swahili language is spoken by over 90 million people

• The Swahili ethnic group numbers about 1.3 million

History

• In 700 AD interactions between Arab traders and East Africans began, which led to the creation of a unique language and culture known as Swahili

• African languages blended with Arabic to form the Swahili language

• It is now used as a common language throughout much of Eastern Africa

Location

• The Swahili are all Muslims living in a narrow strip of land in East Africa from the north coast of Kenya to Tanzania

• They also live on several nearby islands in the Indian Ocean, including Zanzibar

• The Portuguese, Middle Eastern Arabs, and the British have all conquered them

Economy

• The Swahili played a significant role in the trade of ivory and enslaved people which peaked during the 1800s

• Swahili fishermen still rely on the Indian Ocean to supply their primary source of income.

• Fish is sold to their inland neighbors in exchange for products of the interior.

Culture & Religion

• Since Islam is a way of life and religious holidays are of utmost importance, the Arab culture is a vital part of the Swahili culture

• Access to water is critical to Muslims who must wash before they eat

• Most homes have electricity, indoor plumbing, several bedrooms, and a living room

Education

• The youth usually finish primary school, and some continue in secondary school

• Parents recognize the value of an education for later employment

• The Swahili have a relatively high standard of living

• Their education allows them to work for the government, and in offices and schools