I’ll be honest – I didn’t know that Swahili was celebrated leave alone that it had its own celebratory day! But you live and you learn and Instagram lets you know what’s happening. So Saturday 5th July, a rainy day in Swedish summer, saw a friend and I go out to experience it for ourselves. We had no idea what to expect in the celebration of a language spoken by an estimated 200 Million people.

We arrived late, as one will often do for an African event. In my mind, I thought it would be set up like a farmers market or concert. I figured there would be an open field with stalls full of African artefacts encircling a seating area in the middle. I’d been a little concerned on how this would work out with the steady flow of light rain that had been trickling all day. Luckily, it turned out to be an indoor event.

When I stepped into the venue, I had to take a couple of moments to look around and appreciate what was before me. It was a long rectangular hall type room filled with what looked like at least a hundred large round tables. An area in the centre of the room had been designated as a stage and as such cleared. Each table was rather packed with all manner of people. There were the fabulously dressed women with expensive African pieces, lots of mixed race children running happily about, dignitaries seated to one side in official apparel, members of the press and, of course, that lone white guy in blue pants, a green coat and orange hat (there might have been a yellow bowtie …). There were teenagers milling around to one side trying to look cool and the dads happily following the proceedings from their seats while trying to get the waiter’s attention to order drinks. The room was warm and one could smell the aromatic food that was yet to be served at the other end of the room. The lights were very bright, and the strange dangling crystal strips that hang like stalactites above the centre of the room did not help. The room was abuzz with lively chatter.

We were handed redeemable coupons for drinks and a raffle, and ushered in to try find seating on the other side of the room. We did manage to secure seats, but only after admiring hand made African jewellery and clothing that was on sale, as well as being requested to take up slots as models at a fashion show that was to come later in the day. I was flattered and quietly pleased with how my lazy walks on the treadmill must have been paying off!

“But we’re not models … ,” my friend said bashfully, undoubtedly fishing for compliments.

“We don’t want models,” came the reply to cut my day dreaming down to size. “We’re looking for full figured African women to play the part.” Well that was that!

When we got our hands on the agenda for the day, I was surprised to find that it listed the activities as having started at 7:00. My friend though, I wiser Kenyan from the coastal region of the country (and as such better versed in the everyday use of the Swahili language), told me to read the time in Swahili. And that’s when it hit me! 7:00 is 1:00 in Swahili. The clock is inverted! “Saa saba” which translates to seven o’clock actually means “one o’clock”. Bet you didn’t know that, did you?!

The day’s attendees included ambassadors from a number of countries. The guest of honour was Burundi born Nyamko Ana Sabuni who was previously a cabinet minister in the Swedish government. She noted that it was to be the first speech she had ever given in Swahili and I noted that she had done a better job than I would have!

There were speeches, dance performances including from Hadithi Kultur, a fashion show as well as the serving of a sizeable meal. The quantity of food was impressive. Even though I was amongst the last to serve and found some of the dishes finished, there was still more than enough to allow for second helpings.

It was a day well spent. Finding people who spoke my language at every turn in such a large room was surprising and comforting. If you’ve moved away from home to live in a country that’s not your own, hearing people speak your language is one of the things you get to miss without always realising it.

Have you ever experienced the joy of hearing someone speak your language in an unexpected setting? Tell us your story in the comments!