Category: GovernancePart of speech: nounDifficulty: Intermediate

umoja

/umoja/Roman

English meaning: Unity

Swahili Definition

(Kiswahili)

Hali ya kuungana pamoja kwa lengo moja, kama jamii, taifa au bara.

English Definition

The state of being united as a group. 'Umoja' (unity) is central to East African political philosophy — it is the first principle of Kwanzaa, the African-American cultural holiday. Tanzania's President Julius Nyerere promoted 'Ujamaa' (African Socialism/familyhood) and national unity above ethnic identity. The African Union's motto is 'A United and Strong Africa.'

Example

Julius Nyerere alipigana kwa umoja wa kitaifa wa Tanzania zaidi ya utambulisho wa kikabila.

In English: Julius Nyerere fought for Tanzania's national unity above ethnic identity.

Synonyms

  • muungano
  • ushirikiano

Antonyms / Opposites

  • mgawanyiko
  • kugawanyika

Literary Heritage

Serikali ya kweli inasikiliza sauti za wanyonge.

A true government listens to the voices of the weak.

Euphrase Kezilahabi · Novelist / Poet · 20th century

Rosa Mistika

Rosa Mistika, Ch. 9, 1971

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Language information

Language
Kiswahili
Swahili
Script
Latin
Family
Niger-Congo
Speakers
100M
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