Name Santiago Zuno Class 3B Date 06/04 /23

6
ACTIVE Chapter 15 Go to Interactive Whiteboard Activities at

UNIT
HISTORY Lesson 1.3 myNGconnect.com to complete this activity online.

Map the Swahili Language SWahili language

40°N

Read the passage about the Swahili language and answer the questions.

A Language Develops
Over several centuries, Swahili emerged as the common language of Bantu tribes
along East Africa’s coast. As Arab traders made their way westward from the Tropic of Cancer

coast, they brought Swahili into areas that are now Uganda and the Democratic 20°N
Republic of the Congo. When European colonial powers later gained control in the
region, they worked to establish Swahili as an official language there.
Along with English, Swahili is today the official language in both Kenya and
Tanzania. In Kenya, Swahili is widely used in schools, media, and small businesses,
and English is used by the government. In Tanzania, government business is
conducted in Swahili, and highly educated Tanzanians speak English. Swahili is
Equator
also spoken by many people in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 0°

Rwanda, and Uganda. However, it is neither the official nor the most common
language.
1. Create Maps Fill in the map at right, using two colors to distinguish between
the countries where Swahili is the official language and the countries where it
is commonly spoken but not the official language.
Also label the countries.
20°S

2. Interpret Maps What patterns do you notice about where Swahili Tropic of Capricorn
is spoken?
Swahili, over centuries, emerged as the common language among Bantu
tribes along East Africa's coast. Arab traders spread Swahili to regions such
Swahili Language N
as Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. European colonial 0 500 1,000 Miles
W E
powers later worked to establish Swahili as an official language in the Official language
S 0 500 1,000 Kilometers
region. Today, Swahili is the official language alongside English in Kenya
Common language
and Tanzania. In Kenya, it is widely used in schools, media, and small 40°S
businesses, while English is used by the government. In Tanzania, Swahili is 20°W 0° 20°E 40°E 60°E
used for government business, with English spoken by educated individuals.
Swahili is also spoken in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo,
Rwanda, and Uganda, although it is not the official or most common
language in these countries.
Chapter 15 Lesson 1.3 © National Geographic Learning, Cengage Learning

NGWG_GEO_U07_C13_S2.1_M023
NGM66 GA42 Swahili Language in Africa