Articles on the past and the present as curated by Hiistoriya which focus on culture and history of the East African coast.
- The Evolution of the Word of Safari
The word safari simply means ‘a journey’ in Swahili. Its root word is the Arabic word safar, which also means journey or travel. A nod… - Sexualisation of ‘Assalam Aleikum’‘Assalam Aleikum‘ — peace be upon you, is a greeting that is meant to invoke God’s peace and blessings upon a person you meet. But…
- The Legacy of Kenya’s Chief Kadhi: A role shaped by history and religionAs Kenya mourns the passing of its Chief Kadhi, Sheikh Abdulhalim Hussein, the country reflects on both the life of the prominent religious figure and…
- Jasmine: The Woman’s FlowerJasmine, the delicate but powerful flower, has long been part of everyday life and ritual. It carries with it the scent of womanhood and intimacy….
- Swahili Alphabet Book Celebrates Language and Culture for Young ReadersWelcome to our world where “K’ is for Kuku, and not Kite or Kangaroo. Parents, educators, and language enthusiasts can now introduce young learners to…
- Lesser-Known Heroes of The Pre-colonial Coast of Kenya20th October is Mashujaa day in Kenya. On this day, Kenya celebrates heroes who have stood up for our country and the values of humanity…
- The Mysterious KiluaThe kilua or kiluwa (pl. Vilua/viluwa) is a small fragrant magnolia-like flower found on the East African coast. The flower’s tree is known as mlua,…
- VidakaVidaka/Zidaka (singular: kidaka/idaka)1 are small niches carved into the walls of stone structures. Vidaka comes from the root word daka, which translates into niche or…
- Limestone vs. Tiles: Changing Swahili Aesthetics Through The Eyes of Master CraftsmenAhmed Yusuf Suleiman is one of the most sought-after Swahili plasterwork artists and a well-known building contractor on the East African coast. One afternoon in…
- The Art of Swahili CookingTo master Swahili cooking, one must master Swahili techniques.
- Was there ever a Kiswahili word for ‘Holy’?‘The available evidence suggests that in the mid-nineteenth century, at the second coming of European-Christians to the East African coast, there was no lexical equivalent…
- The Swahili Identity Re-envisionedSwahili identity is not elusive if we can work to think beyond the racial prison-house of colonial thought and understand coastal communities through these broader…
- Mwana Darini’s SiwaA story on the Swahili royal horns that graced the East African coast for centuries.
- “Who is a Swahili?” Explainer PremiereWe have launched our YouTube Channel where we will be sharing explainer videos about the East African Coast. Visit here and subscribe.
- Hiistoriya WebinarHiistoriya organised its inaugural webinar on 25 June 2020 on “Preserving African Heritage Heritage in a Social World“.
