Students learn a few Swahili words

Khadijah McKinnies, 14, didn't know she speaks Swahili several times a day.

McKinnies and many of her eighth-grade peers learned last Friday that "mama" is Swahili for the English word "mother." McKinnies said she uses "mama" a lot and she was eager to tell her mother about the origin of the word.

McKinnies was one of about 55 St. Andrews Middle School students in West Ashley who learned a bit about Swahili from retired educator Johari Andika, who found that the collegiate offerings of French and Spanish didn't represent her ancestry.

"I started studying Swahili on my own," she said.

Andika's presentation was part of Charleston's MOJA Arts Festival, which celebrates African-American and Caribbean arts and culture. The 25th annual festival began Sept. 25 and ends Sunday. Assistant Principal Deborah Fickling said she wanted to bring Andika to the school because a lot of the children have never heard of the MOJA Arts Festival. Part of growing up is understanding diversity in the world, Fickling told students.

"One language connects very closely to what MOJA is all about," Fickling said.

Swahili is the native language of about 5 million people who inhabit the East African coast. It is spoken by millions more in Africa as a second language.

"It's very good for you to understand the words you speak. It gives you an appreciation of your culture and a greater appreciation of people," Andika said.

Students unexpectedly got to meet two local women who have traveled to Africa and want to learn more Swahili so they'll speak more fluently on future trips. Charlotte Webb and Stewart Bauknight held a brief, scripted conversation in Swahili as students followed along from a hand-out.

Students also practiced saying "jambo" (pronounced jah-mboh), which is hello in Swahili.

Fickling said students who greet administrators with "jambo" will receive an ink stamp. Stamps, earned by exhibiting positive behavior, allow students to participate in Rewards Day, which could include playing basketball, watching a movie or playing board games.

Reach Nita Birmingham at 937-5433 or nbirmingham@postandcourier.com.