45-minute class plan
Five simple steps for ages 4–9, from a sung hello to a Kwaheri goodbye.
🌍 Every year on 7 July
World Kiswahili Language Day
Say it in Swahili
Siku ya Kiswahili Duniani
Say: SEE-koo yah kee-swah-HEE-lee doo-nee-AH-nee, World Kiswahili Day
Kiswahili is what the language calls itself; Swahili is the English name. Every vowel is said on its own, and the stress falls on the second-to-last syllable.
Why 7 July?
Tanzania proposed the day, and links the date to 7 July 1954. On that day TANU, the party led by Julius Nyerere, chose Kiswahili as the language to bring people together in the struggle for independence. A language that helped unite a country is now celebrated around the world.
Curious how many people speak it today? Estimates vary a lot, and our Swahili statistics page explains why.
Free classroom pack
Everything for a 45-minute Kiswahili Day lesson, ages 4–9. Start with the class plan: it tells you when to use each printable. No email needed.
Jambo! welcome song sheet
A happy Swahili hello to sing with actions.
Where Swahili is spoken: map
A colourful map to put on the board.
Swahili word bunting
Eight flags to colour, cut out and hang up.
Parent letter
A ready-to-send letter for families. Fill in the yellow parts.
Want a longer unit? Our free 6-week Swahili curriculum guide picks up where the day leaves off.
Ideas for families
Wherever you live, pick one or two. Learning Swahili yourself? These work just as well for grown-ups.
Greet everyone in Kiswahili all day
Hujambo? (hoo-JAHM-boh, how are you?) and the reply Sijambo! (see-JAHM-boh, I'm fine).
More phrases with audioCall someone who speaks Swahili
A grandparent, an auntie, a friend. Our video call cards give you 5 words, 1 question and 1 game.
Download the call cardsRead a bilingual story together
Read the English, then the Swahili, and let your child spot the words they know.
Browse the bilingual libraryPlay today's Neno
The free daily Swahili word puzzle. Just as fun for grown-ups.
Play Neno
Questions people ask
Every year on 7 July. UNESCO proclaimed the day in November 2021, and the first one was celebrated on 7 July 2022.
Tanzania, which proposed the day, links it to 7 July 1954, when TANU, the party led by Julius Nyerere, chose Kiswahili as the language to unite people in the struggle for independence.
Siku ya Kiswahili Duniani (SEE-koo yah kee-swah-HEE-lee doo-nee-AH-nee). Siku means day, and duniani means in the world.
Yes. Kiswahili is the first African language to be given an international day by the United Nations.
Yes, they are the same language. Kiswahili is the language's own name for itself, and Swahili is the usual English name. The ki- at the start is how Swahili names languages, as in Kiingereza (English).
Keep Kiswahili going every day
Jambo Daily sends one free Swahili word each morning, with how to say it.
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