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Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Karibu

I love the way Swahili uses "karibu" as a welcoming word. It means both "welcome" and "you're welcome". Tanzanians do not wait for someone to say "thank you" before they pronounce "Karibu!", which makes it more of an offering to the guest rather than an obligation.
I walk around town or KCMC and hear, "Karibu mzungu!" to welcome me to Tanzania. I walk into a shop or someone's home and I hear another karibu to welcome me to buy something or to feel at home. As food is placed on the table, a karibu is offered to tell me to enjoy the delicious meal.
In the Carson house we say "Proud to serve." I think the word "karibu" sums up that mentality perfectly.

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