people were not, as some have suggested, a
European or Arab cultural extension, but rather
that their history began long before their interac-
tion with Arabs, Persians, and other peoples.
The Swahili share a collective culture, language,
and religion. Although many Swahili are said
to be Muslim, some of whom incorporate
Africanisms within the religion, there are arguably
a small number of Swahili who do not subscribe
to Islam. There are quite a few Swahili legends,
songs, and myths that speak to the historic
longevity of the Swahili people that have been dis-
counted by some scholars in the past.
The Swahili are mostly a coastal people making
a living and living off the resources provided by
the sea. Therefore, Swahili people were mostly
involved in trade, fishing, and some farming. The
Swahili have maintained their language over time,
even with their expansion across East Africa and
their intermarrying with other peoples. Although
the Swahili have borrowed some Arabic terms,
Kiswahili, a Bantu language, is clearly African in
origin.
In the 15th century, Europeans attempted to
colonize East Africa, but the Swahili rigorously
defended themselves, and although many were
massacred, they prevented Portugal from stay-
ing long-term in the region. The hatred and cru-
elty of the Portuguese as well as other European
invaders against the Swahili were both racial
and religious because the Portuguese were
Christians. Like Arabic for the Arabs, the
Swahili language is significant to Swahili ethnic-
ity. Arabs typically speak Arabic from birth and
Swahili speak Kiswahili, although many Arabs
and Swahili share the same religion, Islam.
One of the more notorious figures of the Swahili
culture was Tippu Tib, a Swahili-Zanzibari slave
trader. He lived from 1837 to 1905 and made a
reputation as a plantation owner and governor.
His real name was Ahmed Bin Mohaded bin
Juma el Marijibi. He worked for many sultans
of Zanzibar in the slave trade. He remains uncel-
ebrated by the people of the coast because of
his brutality.
The Swahili people celebrate all Islamic celebra-
tions and participate in Hajj, the Pilgrimage
to Mecca, and Ramadan, the obligatory Muslim
fast. They also subscribe to other Islamic customs.
Today, many people believe there is no clearly
defined Swahili culture. Although Kiswahili is the
official language of Tanzania, and all people born
there are sometimes referred to as Swahili, many
East African governments do not see the
Swahili as a distinct ethnic group. Swahili is
currently spoken in parts of Kenya, Somalia,
Uganda, Madagascar, Mozambique, Zanzibar, and
elsewhere.Bayyinah S. JeffriesFurther Readings
Allen, J. D. (1993).Swahili Origins. Athens: Ohio
University Press.
Kusimba, C. M. (1999).The Rise and Fall of Swahili
States. Walnut Creek, CA: AltaMira Press.
Mazuri, A. M., & Noor, S. I. (1994).The Swahili:Idiom
and Identity of an African People. Trenton, NJ:
African World Press.SWAZI
The Swazi are a Nguni-speaking people who
live in southern Africa among other Bantu people.
It is believed that the Swazi originated in East
Africa and moved from that area during the great
Nguni expansion southward to their present
location. They crossed the Limpopo River and set-
tled in an area called Tongaland, which is now
Mozambique. The leader of the Swazis at this
time was Dlamini, who became one of the leg-
endary leaders of the people. His descendants
established a dynasty that lasted for more than
two centuries.
They lived near the Ndwandwe people,
another Nguni-speaking people, until economic
and commercial interests brought them into con-
flict, and the Swazis moved to their new area
and created a complex kingdom based on their
ancient traditions.
The traditions of the Swazi are inculcated into
the young right after birth. When a child is born,
plants and animal fur related to the child’s clan are
collected and placed on a fire heap, and the baby
is forced to inhale the smoke as a way to protect
the child from danger and illness. All children are
associated with age-group organizations, and theSwazi 641