A couple phrases in Swahili to help you along in your personal African journey:
Jambo: Hello! Weirdly enough this isn’t used as much as some of the other greetings.
Maumbo: Hello! What’s up? Your response is always “Poa.” This is not a dance.
Sa Sa: Hello! How you doin?” Originally I thought this was “salsa” and also a dance. Again, I was wrong. Also, always answer with "Poa."
Poa: Cool. A response to Maumbo or Sa Sa.
Habari: How are you? A common phrase you’ll hear perhaps 80 times a day. More if you’re white.
Karibu: Welcome. Not like the antelopes of the American and Canadian northwest.
Asante Sana: Thank you very much. Do NOT answer with “Squash Banana.” Funny looks will ensue.
Mzungu: White man. White girl. This is always YOU. You will almost never be acknowledged by name. Also just accept that you are an exotic animal and the children specifically, in Africa are on safari to see you. They will yell so that entire families come out to watch you pass. You can hate it, or embrace it and be a celebrity for a month.
Kuja: Come. I have actually never heard this one… or said it.
Omba: Pray. Um… self-explanatory?
Mungu Akubariki: God bless you. Yes, the word for God is “Mungu.” And I love it.
Bwana Asifiwe: Praise God. This one is used frequently, and especially when greeting a brother or sister in Christ. Or at the beginning of a cell group meeting. Or when introducing yourself at said meeting.
Ndio: Yes. I actually just said “Yes” or employed the ever-useful head-nod-and-smile tactic.
Hapana: No. This was quite useful when dealing with children who think it’s funny to pull hair.
I hope this helps you navigate daily living in Swahili-Africa! If not, most people speak English anyway. But step out of your comfort zone and learn to at least say hello in their language- it’ll endear you even more than your fancy foreign skin.
