Language is an effective tool for cultural interaction and assimilation. A unique linguistic fusion has formed in Kenya’s lively melting pot, where numerous ethnic groups coexist. The impact of Swahili on the Punjabi population in Kenya is fascinating.
We dig into the experiences and observations of a woman who relates the enthralling narrative of how Swahili has affected Punjabis in Kenya, resulting in a complex blend of languages, culture, and identity.
The Punjabi community in Kenya has a long history that can be traced back to the Indian subcontinent. Over time, these Punjabis have become firmly ingrained in Kenya’s lively society. Their engagement with Swahili, Kenya’s official language, is an important integration component. A woman named Radhika Kaur has shared a video in which you will understand exactly what we are saying.
A TikTok video of an Indian-origin woman living in Kenya is becoming popular as she describes how Punjabis have adopted numerous new Swahili terms in Kenya.
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Woman Shares How Punjabis Adopted Swahili Words
Lalkaar, a Twitter user, has shared the video of this woman describing everything. The video is captioned, “The British Raj era saw the migration of many South Asians, especially Punjabis, to colonial territories like Kenya as part of colonial schemes or for economic opportunities. Today, Kenyan-Punjabis speak their variety of Punjabi that the Swahili language has influenced.”
Twitter/@Lalkaar_
She explained that people who only speak Punjabi or Swahili will not understand this. She then went on to show a few examples. “Tusi jikoni vich pangusa kitha si,” she said, explaining that it translates as “Did you mop the kitchen?”
Let’s Check Out The Comments Now
Since the video was shared on the Internet, it has gotten over 306.4K views, 253 retweets, 61 quotes, 1,191 likes, 350 bookmarks, and many comments.
One of the users said, “Kenyan Indians have never outlived their Colonial-era Asian privilege designation as the 2nd superior race after the Whites. They look down on Kenyans. Some estates are exclusively Indian & are out of bounds for Blacks.”
Another said, “Similar to Gujerati too. I understood that sentence, but I can’t understand Punjabi for my life!😆.”
One said, “This is interesting coz Kiswahili also has loan words from Indian languages like the shop is Duka from Dukawalla, coriander is Dhania in Kenyan Swahili etc., not to mention all the Indian origin foods that have become staples in East Africa like chapati. Biryani, bhajias, pilau etc.”
What do you think about it? Do let us know in the comments.
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