Swahili Culture & Foods

Swahili Culture & Foods Country of Origin: Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda Primary Language(s): Swahili 5/2019 Percent of Iowa’s Population: ~3%13 Background The Swahili culture is not limited to just one country, but instead spans across many countries along the Eastern Africa coast including Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. The Swahili culture has a large Arab influence and the Where are we from? word ‘Swahili’ fittingly means ‘coast’ in Arabic.7 With this region being a part of the Indian Ocean trade during the 8th century, Persian, Indian, and Chinese cultures had a significant influence on the Swahili people. 1 The trade of gold, ivory, and slaves with other countries involved in the Indian Ocean trade stimulated growth of the Swahili culture and regions. This area along the Eastern African Coast has been colonized multiple times, including by the Portuguese in the 16th Century, Arabics in the 19th century, most recently the British in the 20th century.8 Over time all of the primary countries within the Swahili culture have gained their independence from outside rule, but the people still remain heavily influenced by Arab colonization. Though the main religion within the Swahili culture is Islam, 3,5 Pictured below. is a group of many individuals consider themselves Christians. However, most of the women in traditional clothing. Islam customs and holidays are honored and observed. Women generally wear bright colored dresses, unless they are Education and Literacy Holidays & Celebrations celebrating a Muslim holiday. The ability to read and write is With m ost of the Swahili people important in the Swahili culture, as being a part of the Islamic religion, many people choose to follow the Ramadan is a significant holiday. Islamic religion. Due to this, it is This month long holiday, usually in vital that they are able to read late spring, is celebrated by Islam's holy book, also known as fasting during daylight hours. the Koran. It is also common to Children usually don’t participate find people from these regions in this tradition until puberty, but speaking in Arabic, Kiswahili and it can vary depending on family English. Although systems of higher beliefs.4 Eid al-Fitr, the final day of education are available in Swahili Traditional Clothing Ramadan, is one of the most regions, most people do not attend celebrated holidays in the Islamic Men of the Swahili culture will dress in school beyond the primary level, religion.5 This celebration usually western style clothing, consisting of shirts with a smaller percentage finishing and pants, while women may wear secondary school. Education is lasts for 3 days and is filled with brightly colored dresses. For those who placed at a higher value in urban special treats and meals to break practice the Muslim religion, Friday serves 67 locations, as those inhabiting these the previous month’s fast. as a day of worship and prayer. On these Another important holiday in days men will wear traditional clothing, areas often understand the Swahili culture is Maulidi, a including a long robe, known as a correlation between education and kanzu, and a small, rounded hat with employment. In many cases, men rememberance of the Prophet embroidery. 3 Women typically wear long will pursue a higher education than Mohammed’s birth. They black dresses, while other women will women, although beliefs on this celebrate using song, dance, wear a hijabu; a black cloth that surrounds topic vary among families. food, prayer, poems, and their head and face. 3 festivals.12 Swahili Culture & Foods What’s the Iowa Connection? While some families may have Health Disparities Traditional Foods & Meal Patterns entered this country through the As a race, there are a few health Vegetables serve as a staple in Diversity Visa Program, it is likely conditions that are more likely to Swahili cuisine, with the main that the majority of the families in be experienced by the black sources of protein being fish, our clinics are refugees or those population. These include heart chicken, and goat. 2 Rice also looking for better opportunities.11 disease, asthma, diabetes, stroke serves as a foundation for most It is most common to find people and cancers. Adult black women dishes and can be utilized in of this culture in larger cities, such are 2 times more likely to be either sweet or savory ways. A as Des Moines, though some of diagnosed with diabetes and well-known Swahili dish is called these families may be located in suffer from related “Wali Wa Nazi’, which is rice more rural areas of Iowa. complications. 10 Regarding infant served with coconut milk.2 The health, black children are 2 times Swahili culture is known for more likely to pass away from adding a variety of spices to their Sudden Infant Death Syndrome foods, including ginger, pepper, and 3.2 times more likely to die and lemon grass.2 With the from complications related to low majority of individuals in Swahili birth weights. 10 The reason culture following the Islamic behind these disparities are religion, pork and alcohol are unknown. considered taboo and are not consumed.2 Considerations for WIC Be aware of your body language when speaking with a Swahili Pictured above is Wali Wa family. Facing the client while maintaining eye contact is Nazi, a traditional rice dish important, but occasionally they will avert their eyes when served with coconut milk. talking to someone of a different gender, age, or status.9 You may also notice that they use gestures to exaggerate their point. Punctuality is expected within the culture, but 30 minutes past 9 the designated start time is considered acceptably late. How are we Living? Ensure that our Swahili families are aware that they can choose whatever vegetables they wish using their cash value voucher Family is a core value within the benefits for fresh produce. Swahili culture, so it is not Swahili families may not have bread as a common part of their unusual for extended families to diet. Be sure to highlight rice as being an option when it comes live together in one house, to choosing whole grains as rice generally serves as a staple in including grandparents, in-laws, 2 their diet. nieces and nephews.9 If there is a Remember that family is a central theme to the Swahili culture. family member working outside There may be many individuals responsible for the care of the of the home, it is usually the male children at home. Multiple family members may also attend the figures while the females stay appointments. home to take care of the children. .

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