s e c t i o n
ClassDate
© NGSP & HB
Name
Use with Sub-Saharan Africa Geography & History, Section 2.1, in your textbook.
H ISTO R Y
GeoActivity
Go to Interactive Whiteboard GeoActivities at
myNGconnect.com to complete this activity online.
2 .1 B A N T U M I G R ATIO N S
Map the Swahili Language
40°N
SWahili language
Read the passage about the Swahili language and answer the questions.
A Language Develops
Over several centuries, Swahili emerged as the common language of Bantu
tribes along East Africa’s coast. As Arab traders made their way westward
from the coast, they brought Swahili into areas that are now Uganda and
the Democratic Republic of the Congo. When European colonial powers later
gained control in the region, they worked to establish Swahili as an official
language there.
Tropic of Cancer
20°N
Equator
1.Create Maps Fill in the map at right, using two colors to distinguish
between the countries where Swahili is the official language and the
countries where it is commonly spoken but not the official language.
Also label the countries.
0°
20°S
Tropic of Capricorn
2.Interpret Maps What patterns do you notice about where Swahili
is spoken?
Swahili Language
N
E
W
Official language
0
S
500
0
500
1,000 Miles
1,000 Kilometers
Common language
40°S
20°W
029-038_GA90166_U07C13S2.indd 1
0°
NGWG_GEO_U07_C13_S2.1_M023
NGM66 GA42 Swahili Language in Africa
Fifth Proof
20°E
40°E
Sub-Saharan Africa Geography & History SEC TION 2 .1
Along with English, Swahili is today the official language in both Kenya
and Tanzania. In Kenya, Swahili is widely used in schools, media, and small
businesses, and English is used by the government. In Tanzania, government
business is conducted in Swahili, and highly educated Tanzanians speak
English. Swahili is also spoken by many people in Burundi, the Democratic
Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda. However, it is neither the
official nor the most common language.
60°E
6/30/11 3:04 PM