Swahili Greetings

1. “JAMBO”
Jambo literally means ‘a thing’ or ‘event’, when someone greet you by saying ” Jambo ? ”
They literally mean ” how is your thing going ? ”

The CONTEXT of Using “Jambo” greeting.

In Tanzania, where Swahili is a bit more advanced, Jambo is not used in day to day greetings’ phrases between locals. It’s used mostly when greeting the tourists. It’s “Mambo ” which used most by locals to greet each other instead of Jambo. I will talk about ” Mambo ” in my next posts.

JAMBO is Used MOST IN TOURISM.

“Jambo” is very familiar greeting in Tourism industry both in Kenya and Tanzania.

And it mean different when used in tourism industry,
“Jambo” when used to greet tourists or tourist to greet locals , they usually mean “hello” .

RESPONSES;

Take example of these two people conversation

( Amina, start a conversation by greeting Jane. Amina is a local and Jane is a tourist.)

AMINA: Jambo Jane / Hello Jane

JANE: Jambo Amina, habari ? / Hello Amina, how are you ?

AMINA: Nzuri Sana, habari yako ? /
I’m very good, how about you ?

JANE: Mimi pia niko vizuri sana Sana. /
I too am very good..

AMINA: Vizuri sana, karibu sana Jane/
Very nice, your welcome Jane.

Conversation continues from there….

NOTE: Native speakers of Swahili, when you use the word “Jambo” in greeting them, they know you are foreigner from outside country 😀. Which is not cool for fellow Africans to be seen as foreigner in African country. Our fathers wanted us to be one.
It’s like you are introducing yourself that you are a tourist 😊.

Asubuhi njema.
/
Good morning.