Day 23, Kenya, Africa

As we leave Uganda and head for Kenya, we decided to learn some Swahili on the way.......


J*A*M*B*O...Greetings from Kenya

Greetings are more important in Swahili than in English. Most social interactions are prefaced by a greeting and it is considered rude not to greet someone you are going to speak to.


We learnt the most important phrases:

Hello= Jambo
Bwana is a term of respect for men, meaning "sir" or "mister"

Jambo Bwana means greetings Sir

Goodbye = Kwaheri
How much does this cost? = Hii ni bei gani?
I would like to buy some clothes = Ninataka kununua nguo
Thank you = asante

I have now provided Nopi, Sita, Marti and Jarca with the lyrics to a popular song.........so we will probably be singing this song throughout our travels in Kenya ;-)

Jambo, Jambo Bwana - Jambo, Jambo Bwana, Hakuna Matata.

Jambo, Jambo Bwana - have a good time, enjoy the samba.
Jambo, Jambo Bwana - you are welcome, Hakuna Matata.
Jambo, Jambo Bwana - have a good time, enjoy the samba.
Jambo, Jambo Bwana - take it easy, Hakuna Matata.

Can you hear the drum beat? Hakuna Matata.
Can you hear the singing? Hakuna Matata.
Can you see the dancing? Hakuna Matata.
If you want romancing. Hakuna Matata.

Jambo, Jambo Bwana - Jambo, Jambo Bwana, Hakuna Matata.

Jambo, Jambo Bwana - have a good time, enjoy the samba.
The scent of the sweet chacaranda, it's Nirwana, Hakuna Matata.
Jambo, Jambo Bwana - have a good time, enjoy the samba.
Jambo, Jambo Bwana - take it easy, Hakuna Matata.

Can you hear the drum beat? Hakuna Matata.
Can you hear the singing? Hakuna Matata.
See them dancing. Hakuna Matata. And Romancing. Hakuna Matata.

Jambo, Jambo Bwana - Jambo, Jambo Bwana, Hakuna Matata.
Jambo, Jambo Bwana - have a good time, enjoy the samba.
Jambo, Jambo Bwana - take it easy, Hakuna Matata.
Jambo, Jambo Bwana - have a good time, enjoy the samba...