Population: 112,000 Kenya, (including 55,000 Bajun and 40,000 Arabs); 375,000 Tanzania; 966,227 (mother-tongue culture), all countries (plus 650,000 Comoros)
Religion: Islam       

Registry of Peoples codes        Bajun 100807        Swahili 109644        Tumbato (on Tumbatu, a Zanzibar island) 110271        Pemba (on Pemba, a Zanzibar island) 107965        Zanzibari 111148        Comorian 102273        Comorian 102273        Comorian 102273        Comorian 102273        Comorian 102273        Zaire Swahili 111135

Registry of Language codes (Ethnologue)        Swahili [swh]        Swahili [swh]        Swahili [swh]        Swahili [swh]        Swahili [swh]        Comorian, Mwali [wlc]        Comorian, Ndzwani [wni]        Comorian, Ngazidja [zdj]        Mwani [wmw]        Comorian [swb]        Swahili, Congo [swc]

Location: The Swahili are a mixed group of people speaking closely related forms of Bantu speech, living on islands and coastal areas of East Africa from Brava (Baraawe), Somalia, to Kilwa, Mozambique and the Comoro Islands. Not all the dialects are mutually intelligible, while some Swahili dialects are mutually intelligible with dialects of Giryama, spoken along the coastal ridge in Kenya. There is one community of people whose mother tongue is Swahili living in Zaire, called the Ngwana (Wangwana).

History: The Swahili community developed as a people group as Arab and Persian traders established business contacts and married local women on the East African coast. This was probably around AD 700 though some scholars think there were Arab settlements before the advent of Islam.

The resulting people were Islamic Bantu-speaking fishers, traders and woodwork artisans, living in city-states varying from governorships to republics, with allegiance to the Sultan of Oman and the later independent Sultan of Zanzibar.

In the 9th to 12th centuries the Benaadir coast of Somalia and the Jubba River Valley was a major center of Swahili culture. Many towns there still retain their Swahili language and culture today, though it has been eroded in the centuries of Somali incursions.

Identity: The people's features vary from light-skinned Arab to Bantu. Some African Muslims will call themselves Swahili even though they speak a different tribal tongue, including one group of coastal Kikuyus. One prominent but small group call themselves Shirazi, after the capital of the ancient Persian Empire, noting their Persian ancestry.

In Mombasa they maintain close relationships with Arabs, some native to Kenya and some Yemeni. Most of the Kenya Arabs speak Swahili as a mother-tongue. In Tanzania the term Swahili is used by some to refer to all coastal Africans who speak Swahili as a mother tongue or primary language. The term Shirazi is used by some people of mixed or African background to denote an Arab background.

Total Swahili-Arab population in Kenya is about 112,000. About 58,000 mother-tongue speakers live in Somalia. The Zanzibar (Unguja) people claim to speak the best Swahili of anyone. Peoples with Swahili as a mother tongue in Tanzania appear to be about 375,000, plus 1,700 Hadimu on Zanzibar, who are sometimes listed as a separate people. Mother-tongue speakers in all countries appear to be about 966,227.

The Comoro Islanders, speaking Swahili languages but usually counted separately, total in addition about 650,000, in the Comoro Islands and other countries. One group of mother-tongue Swahili speakers live in Zaire, speaking a form called Kingwana, from their name Wangwana (the Refined/Cultured People). Their heritage goes back to the trade caravans of the early 1800's. The Ngwana number only about 10,000, according to the Summer Institute of Linguistics. In addition, about 30,000 "standard" Swahili speakers live in Zaire.

Language: The actual Swahili languages vary from Standard Swahili (Kiswahili Sanifu). The most prestigious in Kenya seems to be Mvita (Mombasa Old Town). Amu (the dialect of Lamu Island) has the oldest literary tradition, with the epic poem al-Inkishafi dating from about AD 1000.

The language of each town or island, usually named after the place, has its own characteristics. There are about 15 major dialects of Swahili. The speech of the Bajun, in Somalia and Kenya, includes several sub-dialects. These Bajun groups are sometimes considered a separate people.

The Ethnologue says Ngwana, spoken in Zaire, is a pidgin language, but Edgar Polom‚ says it is the language of a community descended from the African helpers of 19th century Arab merchants, so it should at least be considered a Creole. Polomé indicates it is similar to Western Tanzania forms of the language, and written forms are close to East African coastal Swahili.

The Ngwana dialect borrows words from French and inland Bantu languages, where East African forms have borrowed words from Arabic, Portuguese and Hindi. In addition to these mother-tongue speakers, about 50,000,000 people use forms of Swahili as primary or secondary languages, about 10,000,000 of them in Zaire. The Ngwana language claims 9,100,000 secondary speakers.

Customs: There are strong cultural similarities acknowledged by the diverse peoples. They are matriarchal and family or clan oriented. They observe the normal Islamic celebrations, but the various groups also have dances and festivals from their Bantu cultural roots. They are renowned as sailors, traders and artisans.

Religion: They are traditional Sunni Muslims, mostly Shafiite on the East Africa coast.

Christianity: Swahili people are 100% Muslim. They have not been responsive to the gospel. There are Bible portions and the full Bible in several translations, plus many Christian tracts and publications in Standard Swahili. Numerous Christian films are available in Swahili, but the setting of many is more appropriate for "up-country" people than for coastal Swahili-Arab people.

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Swahili People Population Summary (Mother-tongue Speakers Only)
Primary Countries

Country                                                             Population (1996)
Kenya (Swahili, Bajun, Arab)                                  112,347
Tanzania (Swahili, Hadimu)                                     377,280
Zaire (Standard Swahili, Zaire (Ngwana) Swahili)       48,000
Somalia (Swahili, Barawe, Bajun)                              58,000
Total Mother-Tongue Speakers                               595,627

Additional mother tongue speakers in other countries: Ethnologue 1995 estimates (dates vary or are not given).

India                                                                         8,000
Mauritius                                                                  5,000
Mayotte                                                                  52,000
Mozambique                                                             6,100 (Projected to 8,000)
Oman (Zanzibari Omanis)                                        30,000
Reunion                                                                   19,000
Saudi Arabia                                                          205,000
South Africa                                                              1,000
Sudan                                                                      15,000
United Arab Emirates                                                 2,500
Zambia                                                                    19,000
Total                                                                  362,600 (Projected 370,600)

There are reports of a few thousands in some other countries--possibly students.

Comoro Islands (Ngazidja and other dialects) includes about 650,000 additional speakers of what is sometimes called Comorian Swahili.

Total of Swahili Peoples and Dialects = 1,616,227

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COUNTRY DATA

Country:                                 Kenya                     Tanzania
Percent Christian:                     65%                         50%
Percent Evangelical:                 40%                         40%
Population (year):                 112,000                     375,000
Major Religion:                  Christianity                 Christianity
Openness to Missionaries:  Very open                  Very open

===================================

SWAHILI PEOPLE GROUP DESCRIPTION

POPULATION
Total People (Year): 112,000 (1996) (Kenya), 966,227 (all nations)
Urban percent: 98%
Comments: The Swahili live in small towns or cities, engaging in business, crafts, or fishing.

GEOGRAPHICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION
Location: Coast, islands.
Country: Kenya, Tanzania primary areas
Ecosystem type: Semi-tropical, coastal
Geological type: Coastal areas and Islands
Altitude: Sea level
Longitude:
Latitude:

Climate: Tropical Coastal
Comments:

LANGUAGE/LINGUISTICS/LITERACY INFORMATION
Primary Language: Swahili
Ethnologue Code: swh (SWA)
Alternate Names: Arab, Shirazi, Kiswahili
Dialects: Bajun (Separate ethnic group in Kenya census); Mvita, Vumba, and subdialects; Unguja (Zanzibar) and related dialects; Ngwana
Attitude towards mother tongue: Very positive.
Monolingual: 60-70%
Comments:
Second Languages: Arabic (Minimal); English (Mombasa)
Linguistically related: Bajun, a Swahili dialect; dialects in Tanzania coast and islands; Kivu and Katanga, Zaire: Nyanja-Chewa very close; some Giriama mutually intelligible.
Neighbour languages: Giriama, Digo (related Mijikenda)
Adult Literacy: 95% (estimate)
Literacy Attitude: Very Receptive
Active Program: Not Certain
Publications in MT: Newspapers, textbooks (standard form), local and national books on Islam and Christianity.
Comments: Some Amu (Lamu town and Islands) classify themselves as Swahili, some as Bajun most read "Standard" (Sanifu) form, used in publishing and broadcasting.

ECONOMICS
Subsistence type: Craft, woodcarving construction, shipbuilding, fishers.
Occupations: As above
Income Sources: Construction woodwork, fishing, shipbuilding
Products/crafts: Dhows, ngalawas (outriggers); "Lamu" doors, carved chests, decoratives, some metal work; weavers of baskets and fish-traps, leather workers, charcoal burners.
Trade Partners: Kenyans of Mijikenda, Arab or Asian groups; Yemenis, Omanis.
Modernization/Utilities: From basic to modern
Comments: Moderate to upper level living standards

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STATUS
Health Care Quality: Fair to good
Health Care: Government and private.
Balanced Diet: Good (?)
Diet/food: Rice and fish, vegetables, meat except pork; use coconut milk to flavor soups, sweets.
Water Quality: Good
Water: City water or wells
Shelter: Wood, plaster or brick homes
Electricity: In towns
Energy/Fuel: Charcoal, wood or gas
Clothing: Kanzus alone or with western jacket, kikois with western shirt, kofia. Women wear traditional coastal dress,buibuis sometimes,veil sometimes worn.
Transportation: Boats; matatu.
Child Mortality Rate: Low
Life Expectancy Rate:
Leading Cause of Death:
Comments:

SOCIETY
Family Structures: Nuclear family, perhaps extended family in large family homes
Neighbour Relations: Good
Authority/Rule: Elders, family heads; social/political councils.
Social Habits/Groupings:
Cultural Change Pace: Slow to medium
Acculturation to Nat'l Society: Near
Self Image: Prestigious
Judicial/Punishment: Islamic law; kadhi's court; local elders
Celebrations: Elaborate wedding ceremonies, with sylized dances, "stick dances," Ids of Islam.
Recreations:
Art Forms: Geometric carving (Arab-Lamu style); clothing embroidery

MEDIA
Television, Radio, International (BBC,etc); Daily and weekly newspapers
Local Language Broadcasting: Several hours a week: news, discussion, culture, school lessons, Islam and Christianity.
Attitude to Outsiders: Somewhat receptive
Attitude to Changes: Somewhat resistant, proud of traditional culture, religion and language
Comments:

EDUCATION/YOUTH Uncertain
Primary Schools:
School Enrollment:
Eligible Enrolled:
Teacher to Pupil Ratio:
Language of Instructions for Early Primary School: Swahlili (Arabic memorization)
Language of Textbooks for Early Primary School: Swahili
Unmixed Schools: More than 90% homogeneous
Comments: More individualized than other Bantu peoples; but strong Islamic homogeneity
Problems:
Greatest Needs:
Comments: Swahilis have diminished in comparative population.

RELIGION
Religion Adherents Active
1. (Sunni Islam) Shafiite 988,000 (est.) 100%
2. (Sunni Islam) Other 12,000 (est.) 100%

Primary Religion: Islam
Religious Practices/Ceremonies: Maulidi evening meditation on stories of the prophet; Ramadhan and Id-Il-Fitr, other common Ids.

CHRISTIANITY

HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY IN GROUP
Year Began: There has never been an established Christian church among major Swahili communities.
By whom: There have been periodic attempts by foreign Christians in Mombasa, notably International Missions, Inc.
Significant Events:
Comments:

BIBLE/LITERATURE/MEDIA STATUS
Available: Bible in two modern translations, many portions.
Available Form: Hardback, Softback, booklet (New Testament and Portions)
Use of Translation: Used mostly by Christians of other tribes.
Hindrances to scripture use and distributions: none, except personal resistance or disinterest.
Comments:
Literature: Many Bible study materials, tracts, etc., in Swahili
Recordings:  Bible on tape
Films/Video:  Jesus films, other Christian films:

Radio: Some Christian programming in Standard Swahili; but not culturally adapted for Muslims

Audio/Visual:  Various film strip and others

Attitude to Christianity:
Somewhat resistant to somewhat receptive.
Attitude to Religious Change: Somewhat resistant
Resistance/Receptivity: Socially open to foreign Christians; resistant to direct attempts to convert receptive individuals
Religious Similarities: God creator, sovereign. Quran promised prominent role to Jesus, called the ideal Muslim (Submitter to God), Virgin-born Messiah and returning judge (not all may know or believe this). Jesus--word of God (John 1); Quran--Jesus a word and spirit from God.
Spiritual Climate and Openness: Open to personal contact; resistant to public meetings. The community fosters traditional Muslim misconceptions of Christian faith. Interested but suspicious.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Fage, J. D. and R. A. Oliver. Papers in African History. Cambridge, U.K.: The University Press, 1970.

Ghaidan, Usam. Lamu: A Study of the Swahili Town. Nairobi, Kenya: East Africa Literature Bureau, 1975.

Ogot, B. A. and J. A. Kieran. Zamani: A History of East African History. Nairobi, Kenya: Longmans of Kenya, 1969.

Polomé‚ Edgar C. Swahili Language Handbook. Washington: Center for Applied Linguistics, 1967.

Salim, Ahmed I. Kenya's People: People of the Coast. Nairobi, Kenya: Evans Brothers (Nigeria) Publishers Limited, 1978.

-----. Swahili-Speaking Peoples of Kenya's Coast: 1895-1965. Nairobi, Kenya: East African Publishing House, 1973.

Strandes, Justus. The Portuguese Period in East Africa. Nairobi, Kenya: East Africa Literature Bureau, 1971.

Spear, Thomas T. The Kaya Complex: A History of the Mijikenda Peoples of the Kenya Coast to 1900. Nairobi, Kenya: Kenya Literature Bureau, 1978.

More About the Swahili People:
Art and Life in Africa
Zanzibar Swahili Culture
Swahili Origins
The Swahili Kingdoms in History
Swahili Language -- The Kamusi Project

By Orville Boyd Jenkins
August 1996
Last updated 3 May 2006

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