Stakeholders in Mombasa lay out activities amid Kiswahili day celebrations

Mombasa, Tuesday, June 27, 2023

KNA by Chari Suche

Different partners from the language cultural heritage in Mombasa have come up together to enroll a series of activities that are to be done in preparations towards Kiswahili day celebrations that is slated on July7, 2023.

On November23, 2021, during its 41st member states session held in Paris, France, the United Nation Educational Science and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) proclaimed July7 of each year as the World Kiswahili language day.

This makes Kiswahili as the first African language to be feted by the United Nations.

To commemorate this important day, the National Museum of Kenya (NMK) in collaboration with local community based organisations and the Mombasa Old Town community at large has started earlier preparations in organising celebrations to mark the day.

The activities to be conducted include cultural display and dances, lecture series, youth activities, fashion show, women talk, competition and awards, poetry, games, among other activities showcasing the Swahili culture.

The stakeholders have launched a series of curtain raiser activities in the run up to the Swahili day celebrations that is to be held at the National Museums of Kenya Heritage Training Institute (NMKHTI) formerly known as Swahili Culture Center.

Speaking to the media Swahili Heritage Training Institute Coordinator Khalid Kitito said that they are ready to mark the annual festival in a big way and they are going to invite Kiswahili scholars and speakers to grace the occasion.

Kitito said they will use the celebration to sensitize people on the importance of language and culture.

“The aim is to highlight the importance of Kiswahili language globally and to revive dying traditional Swahili cuisine and handicrafts. People will showcase the Swahili henna calligraphy, henna painting and also socialize and network with other people who will attend the event,” he said adding that the theme for this event will be “Kiswahili for peace, cohesion and integration”.

He said the main objective for the celebrations is not only dancing and enjoying but to use it as an opportunity to showcase the coast, revive the fort Jesus and make it a tourist destination.

Tourism, Culture and Trade County Executive Member Mohammed Osman said that the county government welcomes everyone to participate in the celebrations noting the county leadership fully supports the growth of Kiswahili language.

On his part, chief officer Tourism Mudhatir Abdulkarim said that several departments have come up to show up interests to celebrate the date and the county government welcomes them all.

He noted that they will work together to make the day a success as the language is indigenous in the county.

According to Kitito, everyone will be included in the activities scheduled; these include games like football, swimming competition and debate for students.

The elderly people will also be given a chance to teach and showcase the Swahili traditional practices with women participating in cooking competitions.

Courtesy ; K. N. A