Indian Ocean: Cradle of Globalization
Scholar Voices
Alwiya Omar
 
Alwiya Omar. . .

 

Studying Swahili Focus Questions:

  • What is the origin of the word 'Swahili'?
  • What language varieties make up the Swahili language?
  • Historically, what groups of people came to the East African Coast?
  • What influence did each group have on the region?
  • How has Arabic influenced the number system in Kiswahili?
  • How is time told in Kiswahili? Any connection with biblical times?
  • Mwaka Kogwa, the Zanzibar New Year: any similarities with the Iranian New year Neiruz?
  • How is the popular cloth 'kanga' linked with the Portuguese? How is the kanga used for indirect communication?
  • Education: what are the Traditional, Western, and Islamic influences?
  • Food: what similarities are there with Indian cuisine and Indonesian produce?

Online resources:


Alwiya Omar

Professor of Dravidian Linguistics and Culture

University
of Indiana

 

 
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