Accessible Swahili Trivia Quiz

Answer: The coast

It makes sense that the Arabs would entitle this language 'the coast' when one realizes that the Arabs rarely moved inland in their trade relations with the people of Africa. The language was simply a coastal language to the traders, and thus acquired this apt moniker. By the way, the Swahili language owes much of its vocabulary to Arabic, from which it has borrowed profusely.

Answer: Niger-Congo

Swahili is the most widely spoken language within this language family which is often also referred to as Bantu.

Answer: Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, the official language is Amharic, while in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda a large number of people speak Swahili. I think it's important to note that English is also an official language in the latter three countries.

Answer: Uhuru

Nichelle Nichols, the actress who portrayed Commander Uhura, chose this name for herself (the word is actually 'uhuru' in Swahili). Later, the first name 'Nyota' was added for her, it means 'star'

Answer: Simba

Simba was the name of the main character in Disney's 'The Lion King'. The word has an interesting and widespread etymology and usage. It is likely a borrowed word from the Sanskrit 'simha' via Arabic. The name for the city of Singapore (lion city) also has its origins in India, and one of the most popular sirnames of the Sikhs, Singh, is also derived from this word.

Answer: Jambo

The name for the famous giant Elephant included in P.T. Barnum's circus, Jumbo, was likely derived from the word jambo. Now we use the word 'jumbo' to describe anything that is large.

Answer: True

Safari is a Swahili word meaning 'journey' and originally came from the Arabic 'safarly' which also means 'trip'!

Answer: First

There is a phrase in Swahili, 'matunda ya kwanza,' which means 'first fruits'. It is from this phrase that the name 'Kwanzaa' was derived. On the first day of Kwanzaa the concept of 'umoja', or 'unity', is celebrated.

Answer: Bwana

The word 'Bwana' means 'master' or 'Mr.' was originally derived from the Arabic (once again) term 'abuna' which means 'our father'. It has been used frequently in English media, one example being the title of the first full length 3-D movie, 'Bwana Devil'. 'Rafiki' may be another familiar term, it means 'friend'.

The English word 'tote' may have originally been derived from the Swahili -- the Swahili word 'tuta' means 'to haul'. 'Kwaheri' is a very useful term...it means 'goodbye'.

Answer: 'Dengue' fever

The term 'dengue' was a Spanish corruption of the word 'dinga' in Swahili. Dinga, when included in the phrase 'ka dinga pepo', means 'a sudden cramp-like seizure brought on by malevolent spirit', which aptly describes the onset of the disease. The disease is carried by mosquitoes, so be sure to avoid mosquito bites when you travel to east Africa to try your new found Swahili skills! Thanks for playing this quiz...I hope you enjoyed it!