The Jamhuri Day celebrations in Kenya reflect the joy Kenyans have in their country’s freedom and independence from British colonial rule. They also reflect the unique and colorful culture of Kenya as a whole.
In this article, you’ll learn about Jamhuri Day in Kenya, including its history and current celebrations. At SwahiliPod101.com, we hope to make every aspect of your language-learning journey both fun and informative, starting with this article!
Ready? Let’s go.
1. What is Jamhuri Day?
Jamhuri Day is Kenya’s celebration of its independence and freedom. The Swahili word jamhuri translates to “republic” in English, and Jamhuri Day is also called “Republic Day” or “Independence Day.”
1- Jamhuri Day History
Germans were the first colonists to Kenya, though in the 1890s, the British colonists who came after them claimed Kenya for themselves. In 1920, the British officially colonized Kenya.
As you can imagine, this led to disputes over time. Such disputes typically had to do with the lack of political involvement allowed the African people, and others were over land or cultural issues.
Finally, in 1952, a group of people—led by Dedan Kimathi, who was later executed—started the Mau Mau Uprising. This led to approximately ten long years of great distress throughout Kenya, though over time, the British colonists did allow room for the African people to address these issues.
Jomo Kenyatta was elected the first President of the Kenyan government in 1957. In 1964, he also served as the first President of the Republic of Kenya.
2. Jamhuri Day Date
Each year, Kenya celebrates its Independence Day on December 12. This is the date in 1964 that the country officially became a republic.
3. Jamhuri Day Celebrations & Traditions
Jamhuri Day in Kenya holds a colorful variety of celebrations and events.
Some of the more popular and festive Jamhuri Day traditions include parades and air shows, especially in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital. Perhaps the most spectacular of these events is the Trooping of the Colour, a British and Commonwealth tradition. Further, Kenya’s President gives a Jamhuri Day speech each year and watches the parade along with the rest of Kenya.
At home, many Kenyans celebrate by rejoining their families for a time of feasting and catching up with each other. Families who choose to spend most of their time at home may watch the Jamhuri Day awards, speeches, and parades on TV together as well.
4. Bungee Jumping
Jamhuri Day parades, fireworks, and a cozy meal with loved ones isn’t quite enough for some Kenyans, though. Do you know how else some people choose to celebrate Jamhuri Day?
To celebrate freedom and independence in a more exhilarating way, some people go bungee jumping. Yes, bungee jumping!
5. Vocabulary for Jamhuri Day in Kenya
Here’s some Swahili vocabulary you should know for Jamhuri Day!
- Uingereza — “England”
- Jomo Kenyatta — “Jomo Kenyatta”
- Sikukuu ya Uhuru — “Independence Day”
- Jamhuri — “Republic”
- Ukoloni — “Colonization”
- Shirikisho la Kimataifa ya Kenya — “Kenya African National Union”
- Mapinduzi ya Mau Mau — “Mau Mau Uprising”
- Hali ya hatari — “State of emergency“
- Jumuiya ya madola — “Commonwealth”
- Urithi wa kitamaduni — “Cultural heritage”
To hear each of these vocabulary words pronounced, and to read them alongside relevant images, be sure to visit our Swahili Jamhuri Day vocabulary list!
Final Thoughts
How do you celebrate Independence Day in your country? Are traditions similar or very different from those in Kenya? Let us know in the comments!
Learning about a country’s history and culture is one of the most fascinating and enriching aspects of trying to master its language. If you’re interested in learning more about Kenya and her people, you may find the following pages on SwahiliPod101.com interesting:
- Kenya Kenyatta Day (Word List)
- Top 5 Things You Need to Know About Kenyan Pop Culture
- Tourist Attractions (Word List)
- 4 Reasons Why Swahili Slang Words Will Make You Fluent
- Essential Idioms That Will Make You Sound Like a Native Speaker
Learning Swahili doesn’t have to be a boring or overwhelming task—with SwahiliPod101.com, it can even be fun! If you’re serious about learning the language, but don’t have time for unnecessary hassle, create your free lifetime account today!
Happy Jamhuri Day! 🙂
