Jambo!

Jambo! (jam-bo!) is a Swahili greeting or salutation with an exclamation mark. It is similar in meaning to the English word Hello!.

Linguistically

Specifically, Jambo is a Swahili language class 5-6 word which are part of the "collectives" or dialogic actions among groups of people. Jambo primarily means 'affair.'[1] The English word "affair" not used in the sexual connotation, but in the commercial, professional, public or personal business definition.[2][3]

Etymologically it is from amba (-amba) from to say, ultimately from etyl. It is a cognate with Zulu. Secondary meanings include as dealing with a thing, issue or matter.[1]

First use

The spoken word "Jambo" was once used as a greeting among traders of the Swahili coast of southeast Africa.[4] While less formal, it is in widespread use in East Africa and beyond.[5] While similar in use to the English word "hello," it really meant to come and settle one's affairs in the business sense. It was used by traders from India, China and other lands before the Portuguese Vasco da Gama visited the area in 1498. It is in current use.[6][7][8][9]

Colonial use

During the European "Scramble for Africa" which brought a period of Imperialism and East African European colonialism, the Swahili word "Bwana" was used to refer to the Europeans.[10] Briefly the word today refers to as "Mister" or big boss or an important person and occasionally used in a derogatory manner. But the historical reality of it was simply "Master." The British dictionary or older English usage refers the word "Master" as a male person who is in charge of others or of a task.[11] In many ways in East Africa the combined phrase "Jambo Bwana!" (Hello, Master!) became viewed as "Hello, Slave Driver" or "Hello, Slave Master" by those seeking independence especially in Colonial East Africa.[12][13]

Post Colonial use

After independence and over a half century of Independence, many still use the word "Jambo!" And some enterprising East Africans use the old imperialist welcoming phrase "Jambo Bwana!" as a welcome greeting seeking tourist dollars.[12][14]

"Jambo Bwana!" (translated as "Hello Mister!"), is also notably one of the best internationally known Kenyan hotel pop songs. That welcoming song, with some local variations including the informal name of the "Jambo! Jambo!", is sometimes used to greet visitors to Kenya.[15]

Today, more traditional greeting or welcoming terms are encouraged for tourists to better understand and to relate to the local people. For example: In Tanzania and for the Swahili language, there are many tourist guides and educational pages which provide common phrases.[8][9] Below are four basic ways in Swahili to say "Hello!" and a basic polite reply after the dash.[16]

1. Hujambo - more correct than Jambo! (how are you?) – Sijambo (seeJAmbo) (I am fine / no worries)
2. Habari? (any news?) – nzuri (nZOOree) (fine)
3. U hali gani? (oo HAlee GAnee) (how are you) – njema (fine)
4. Shikamoo (a young person to an elder) – marahaba

Surname use

"Jambo" is also used as a surname in Southern Africa particularly in Zimbabwe. For instance [Tinashe Jambo] . Some other notable people who use Jambo as a surname include Zhaimu Jambo a former football player who hails from Harare.

Other uses

The word jambo has found its way into different cultures and languages. For example, the word jamboree (scouting). This is the Swahili word jambo used in English, as a borrowed foreign word, with the ending -ree. The word "jamboree" is used primarily by the Scouting program before the first Boy Scout Jamboree in 1920. The word has also come to mean "a lavish or boisterous celebration or party."[17][18]

See also

References

  1. Ashton, E. O. (1947). Swahili Grammar: Including intonation. Longman House. ISBN 0-582-62701-X.
  2. "Affair". November 1, 2015.
  3. Nurse, Derek, and Hinnebusch, Thomas J. Swahili and Sabaki: a linguistic history. 1993. Series: University of California Publications in Linguistics, v. 121.
  4. Prins, A. H. J. (1961). "Swahili The Swahili-Speaking Peoples of Zanzibar and the East African Coast (Arabs, Shirazi and Swahili)" Ethnographic Survey of Africa, edited by Daryll Forde. International African Institute, London. See also: Prins, A.H.J. 1970. A Swahili Nautical Dictionary. Preliminary Studies in Swahili Lexicon – 1. Dar es Salaam.
  5. Ashton, E. O. Swahili Grammar: Including intonation. Longman House. Essex 1947. ISBN 0-582-62701-X
  6. George L. Campbell and Gareth King (2011). The Routledge Concise Compendium of the World's Languages (2nd ed.),. Milton Park, Abingdon ; New York : Routledge. ISBN 9780415478410.
  7. What is the meaning of Jambo?
  8. 12 Swahili words to know before traveling in East Africa by Kelly Lalonde
  9. Useful Swahili
  10. R. Mugo Gatheru (2005) Kenya: From Colonization to Independence, 1888–1970, McFarland, ISBN 0-7864-2199-1
  11. Concise Oxford Dictionary, Tenth Edition on CD ROM 2001 Version 1.1, from the Oxford University Press, Great Clarendon Street, Oxford OX2 2DP, UK cites: 1 chiefly historical a man who has people working for him, especially servants or slaves. Ø dated a male head of a household. Ø the male owner of a dog, cat, etc. 3 a person who has complete control of something: he was master of the situation. 4 a man in charge of an organization or group. Ø chiefly Brit. a male schoolteacher, especially at a public or prep school. Ø the head of a college or school. ...
  12. Maloba, Wunyabari O. (1993) Mau Mau and Kenya: An Analysis of Peasant Revolt, Indiana University Press, 0852557450.
  13. Evelyne Jone Rich, Immanuel Maurice Wallerstein , Africa: Tradition and Change (1971)
  14. Jolliffe, Lee (2000). Tea and Tourism: Tourists, Traditions and Transformations. Channel View Publications. ISBN 1-84541-056-4.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  15. Jambo song in Sawhili from YouTube.
  16. "Hello in Swahili: 19 Cool Swahili Greetings You Should Know". September 12, 2015.
  17. Jamboree. Oxford University Press from the Concise Oxford University Dictionary 10th Edition, 1999. (accessed: November 02, 2015).
  18. Jamboree. Dictionary.com. Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition. HarperCollins Publishers. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/jamboree (accessed: November 02, 2015).
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