In a bright classroom at the Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam, a group of Chinese teachers repeat Kiswahili greetings with laughter and growing confidence.
“Habari za asubuhi?” one says.
“Nzuri sana,” another replies with a smile.
It’s more than just a language lesson. It’s a powerful sign of how Kiswahili is becoming a cultural bridge between China and Tanzania, connecting people, deepening trust, and building mutual understanding.
A Language Worth Celebrating
July 7 is now marked as World Kiswahili Language Day, the first African language to be officially recognized by UNESCO. Spoken by over 200 million people across East and Central Africa, Kiswahili is more than just a regional language — it’s a symbol of unity and African pride.
In Tanzania, Chinese nationals — from teachers to engineers — are increasingly learning Kiswahili to better understand the country, work with locals, and form real relationships.
“When I first came, I couldn’t understand anything,” said Yang Xin, a Chinese language teacher at the Confucius Institute. “Now I can order food, talk to taxi drivers, and even joke with my students. Language really breaks the ice.”
Language in Action: From Classrooms to Construction Sites
Emmanuel Legonga, a Tanzanian Chinese-language teacher who also teaches Kiswahili to Chinese nationals, says the benefits go far beyond daily life.
“In big projects like railway and port construction, when Chinese engineers speak Kiswahili, it builds trust with local workers,” he explained. “It shows respect. It brings people together.”
That connection is especially important in Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects, where collaboration between Tanzanians and Chinese workers is key. Kiswahili helps reduce misunderstandings and creates a sense of equality on work sites.
Growing Interest, Growing Impact
Interest in Kiswahili among Chinese nationals is steadily rising. According to Zhang Xiaozhen, co-director of the Confucius Institute, nearly 90 Chinese learners are currently enrolled in Kiswahili classes in Tanzania — and some even start learning before they arrive.
“Language is a bridge,” said Zhang. “And Kiswahili is becoming more important — not just in Africa, but globally.”
Zhang is also a student herself, fitting Kiswahili study into her schedule alongside running the Institute.
Shared Values, Shared Future
Beyond language, there are deeper cultural connections being discovered. Zhang noted strong parallels between Tanzania’s Ujamaa philosophy and China’s collectivist values — both emphasizing community, cooperation, and family.
Mussa Hans, the Tanzanian co-director of the Confucius Institute, sees a bigger picture: one where both nations embrace each other’s languages and cultures equally.
“Our dream is that one day, our Chinese director speaks Kiswahili fluently, and I speak Chinese fluently,” he said. “There should be no language barrier between our two countries.”
