Learn about Kenyan national holidays
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| INTRODUCTION |
| Michael: Hi everyone, I’m Michael. |
| Medina: And I’m Medina! |
| Michael: And welcome to Culture Class: Essential Swahili Vocabulary, Lesson 1 - National Holidays! In this lesson you'll learn five essential words related to daily life. You can find a complete list of vocabulary at SwahiliPod101.com. |
Lesson focus |
|---|
| Michael: Medina, what’s our first word? |
| Medina: Sikukuu ya Jamhuri |
| Michael: Republic day |
| Medina: (slow) Sikukuu ya Jamhuri (regular) Sikukuu ya Jamhuri |
| Michael: Listeners, please repeat: |
| Medina: Sikukuu ya Jamhuri |
| [pause - 5 sec.] |
| Michael: Jamhuri marks the day Kenya gained its independence, which was December 12, 1963, and when it became a republic on December 12, 1964. The main event usually takes place at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi where the president addresses the nation, although celebrations are also held in different counties. |
| Michael: Now let's hear a sample sentence using this word. |
| Medina: (normal) Sikukuu ya Jamhuri husherekewa kwa michezo ya kandanda katika viwanja tofauti za michezo nchini. |
| Michael: Jamhuri Day is usually celebrated with soccer games in different stadiums in the country. |
| Medina: (slow) Sikukuu ya Jamhuri husherekewa kwa michezo ya kandanda katika viwanja tofauti za michezo nchini. |
| Michael: Okay, what’s the next word? |
| Medina: Sikukuu ya Madaraka |
| Michael: Madaraka Day, Internal self-rule day. |
| Medina: (slow) Sikukuu ya Madaraka (regular) Sikukuu ya Madaraka |
| Michael: Listeners, please repeat: |
| Medina: Sikukuu ya Madaraka |
| [pause - 5 sec.] |
| Michael: Madaraka Day is celebrated on June 1st. It is a celebration of the day that Kenya became independent, and gained it’s sovereignty. Just like on Jamhuri Day, citizens gather in stadiums or in county offices to celebrate. One of the most exciting moments is the military parade, followed by lots of entertainment. |
| Michael: Now let's hear a sample sentence using this word. |
| Medina: (normal) Katika Sikukuu ya Madaraka familia nyingi huenda matembezini na kukula vyakula vingi tofauti. |
| Michael: During Madaraka Day, many families go for picnics and eat different kinds of food. |
| Medina: (slow) Katika Sikukuu ya Madaraka familia nyingi huenda matembezini na kukula vyakula vingi tofauti. |
| Michael: Okay, what’s the next word? |
| Medina: Sikukuu ya Krismasi |
| Michael: Christmas |
| Medina: (slow) Sikukuu ya Krismasi (regular) Sikukuu ya Krismasi |
| Michael: Listeners, please repeat: |
| Medina: Sikukuu ya Krismasi |
| [pause - 5 sec.] |
| Michael: Christmas is one of the most celebrated Christian holidays in Kenya, and commemorates the birth of Jesus. Usually people buy gifts, decorations, food, and clothing before Christmas, and most people leave for the upcountry areas to celebrate with family members. Public transportation options are reduced within the cities, and the cost of transportation becomes very high. |
| Michael: Now let's hear a sample sentence using this word. |
| Medina: (normal) Krismasi hujawa na furaha ya kijamii kwavile familia nyingi hukusanyika pamoja kusherekea. |
| Michael: Christmas is full of family happiness because lots of families gather together to celebrate. |
| Medina: (slow) Krismasi hujawa na furaha ya kijamii kwavile familia nyingi hukusanyika pamoja kusherekea. |
| Michael: Okay, what’s the next word? |
| Medina: Sikukuu ya Mwaka Mpya |
| Michael: New Year's Day |
| Medina: (slow) Sikukuu ya Mwaka Mpya (regular) Sikukuu ya Mwaka Mpya |
| Michael: Listeners, please repeat: |
| Medina: Sikukuu ya Mwaka Mpya |
| [pause - 5 sec.] |
| Michael: News Year’s Day is full of great joy, celebrations, feasting, and get-togethers. Most Kenyans stay up late to usher in the big day. At exactly midnight, you will see fireworks lighting up the sky. |
| Michael: Now let's hear a sample sentence using this word. |
| Medina: (normal) Watu wengi hutuma heri zao za mwaka mpya kwa familia na marafiki kote nchini. |
| Michael: Many people send their New Year’s wishes to family and friends all over the country. |
| Medina: (slow) Watu wengi hutuma heri zao za mwaka mpya kwa familia na marafiki kote nchini. |
| Michael: Okay, what’s the last word? |
| Medina: Sikukuu ya Wafanyikazi |
| Michael: Labor Day |
| Medina: (slow) Sikukuu ya Wafanyikazi (regular) Sikukuu ya Wafanyikazi |
| Michael: Listeners, please repeat: |
| Medina: Sikukuu ya Wafanyikazi |
| [pause - 5 sec.] |
| Michael: On May 1, Kenya celebrates the achievements of its workers. It is during this day that issues regarding workers’ salaries, rights, and health and safety are raised. |
| Michael: Now let's hear a sample sentence using this word. |
| Medina: (normal) Wafanyikazi husherekea jasho la kazi zao katika Siku Kuu ya Wafanyikazi. |
| Michael: Workers celebrate the achievements of their labor on Labor Day. |
| Medina: (slow) Wafanyikazi husherekea jasho la kazi zao katika Siku Kuu ya Wafanyikazi. |
| QUIZ |
| Michael: Okay, listeners, are you ready to be quizzed on the words you just learned? Medina will give you the Swahili – please say the English meaning out loud! Are you ready? |
| Medina: Sikukuu ya Jamhuri |
| [pause]Michael: Republic Day |
| Medina: Sikukuu ya Madaraka |
| [pause]Michael: Madaraka Day/internal self-rule day. |
| Medina: Sikukuu ya Krismasi |
| [pause]Michael: Christmas |
| Medina: Sikukuu ya Mwaka Mpya |
| [pause]Michael: New Year's Day |
| Medina: Sikukuu ya Wafanyikazi |
| [pause]Michael: Labor Day |
Outro |
| Michael: There you have it – five national holidays in Kenya! We have more vocab lists available at SwahiliPod101.com, so be sure to check them out. Thanks for listening everyone, and see you next time! |
| Medina: Kwaheri ya kuonana. |
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