“Hakuna matata” may very well be the only Swahili phrase that people outside East Africa have ever heard, but in recent years more foreigners have continued to show an interest in the Bantu language.The National Museum of African Art in Washington, D.C. is using a 4-foot-tall robot named Pepper to explain the meaning of Swahili words and phrases that appear in its artworks.
The latest to join the Swahili fan club is Spanish football league, La Liga, which has learnt the language and is updating their social media statuses. It made the announcement on Instagram, posting: “Mambo Vipi, La Liga inaongea Kiswahili.”
Another post announced: “FC Barcelona wametwaa ubingwa wa 25 katika historia ya La Liga.” This is an attempt by La Liga to reach out to the Spanish League followers in Africa, especially Swahili-speaking East Africans.