Varda Arts - Kiswahili Lugha Taamu Sana

It is a matter of fact and pride that Tanzania is the only country in Africa that has treasured standardized Swahili language (Kiswahili Sanifu) by its natives. Tanzania’s political leaders have laid strong foundation and have always been in the forefront to promote Swahili language. Tanzania’s great poets like Shabaan Robert, Sheikh Amri Abeid Kaluta are recognized as national poets for their usage of ‘Kiswahili Sanifu’ in their poetry like what Shakespeare is to Britain. It is ironic that once the most reverenced Swahili language is now utilized in our country with the usage of slang, none-sensical words amongst its natives. This has made Varda Arts compose this distinctive song ‘Kiswahili Lugha Taamu Sana’ (Swahili is a very sweet language) in order to rekindle realization among Tanzanians especially the school children and youths to value and to glorify Swahili language in an authentic manner as Tanzanians are proclaimed for their best Swahili not only in Africa but globally.
Varda Arts have played a pivotal role in promoting Swahili language globally through their Swahili songs and have to their credit the maximum number of patriotic songs totaling to more than 25 songs since the group’s inception in 1980 to present 2021, that is, 41 years of their phenomenal contribution to the nation.
This song, ‘Kiswahili Lugha Tamu Sana’ has added one more feather to their crown on their glory, accomplishment and achievement to be proud of and that stipulate the sense of patriotism as important factor to the level of national consciousness.
The song-writer, musician, composer and singer of this song, Yunus Senior, at one point was stuck while writing the lyrics when he decided to pay poetic tribute to Mwalimu Nyerere, Shabaan Robert and Sheikh Amri Abeid Kaluta in a verse where he could not detect befitting word for ‘Tribute’ in Swahili usage. He solicited notable Swahili poets and writers but they failed to specify a specific word for ‘Tribute’ in Swahili. However, they suggested few optional words for ‘Tribute’.
‘Necessity is the mother of invention’ is a well-known proverb. Thus, Yunus Senior came to conclusion to innovate the Swahili word ‘Khiraja’ for ‘Tribute’ in the verse mentioned in the song where the serious listeners and the language investigative researchers may find it alien to hear this word ‘Khiraja’ for the first time.
Having said that, I personally would like to congratulate Yunus Senior for having sung this song impressively and to pen an epic lyric in ‘Kiswahili Sanifu’ for this song.
God Bless Tanzania! Remember, our language is our asset!