uhuru

[ oo-hoo-roo; English oo-hoor-oo ]

noun

, Swahili.

1. freedom; independence.

uhuru

/ uːˈhuːruː /

noun

1. national independence
2. freedom

Word History and Origins

Origin of uhuru¹

C20: from Swahili

Example Sentences

Interestingly, as Azad means “freedom” in Arabic, Urdu, Farsi, Turkish, and other languages, "Uhuru" means "freedom" in Swahili.

From The Daily Beast

More About Uhuru

What is uhuru?

Uhuru is a Swahili term meaning freedom or independence.

Uhuru is often used to describe the freedom of a country to govern itself, especially in parts of Africa where Swahili is spoken. In Kenya, uhuru was used frequently in the mid-1900s when Kenya was gaining independence from the United Kingdom.

Uhuru is also the first name of Kenya’s fourth president, Uhuru Kenyatta. He is the leader of the Jubilee Party of Kenya’s political system.

Example: On Jamhuri Day, Mukondi likes to watch the uhuru parades.

Where does uhuru come from?

The first records of the term uhuru in English come from around the 1960s. It comes directly from Swahili.

In Kenya, December 12 is Jamhuri Day (jamhuri means “republic” in Swahili). Kenyans celebrate their uhuru with parties and parades, often chanting phrases containing the term uhuru. In Tanzania, uhuru is also used in celebration of independence. Tanzanian Independence Day, or Tanzania Uhuru Day as it is sometimes called, is celebrated on December 9. Tanzanians, too, use uhuru in celebratory phrases, often at military parades and in addresses from the nation’s leaders.

Because of its connections to independence in some African nations, uhuru is often used in both English and Swahili in connection with African pride or to name places with significance to African culture or history. For example, the highest peak in Africa, located on a volcanic cone of Mount Kilimanjaro, is called Uhuru Peak. And Black Uhuru is a Jamaican band, some of whose songs deal with liberation and freedom from stress and oppression.

Did you know … ?

What are some synonyms for uhuru?

• freedom
• independence
• liberty

What are some words that often get used in discussing uhuru?

• colony
• war
• Swahili

How is uhuru used in real life?

Uhuru is often used in discussions about African pride and freedom.

The highest point of Kilimanjaro is called Uhuru, meaning "freedom" in Swahili, something you can't help but feel when you see it.

— — — #Amboseli #Safari #TravelAfrica #Kilimanjaro pic.twitter.com/1EfgJicquI

— Musah Travels (@MusaMagumbaK) February 8, 2022

Safari = journey (arabic (safar) -> swahili -> the rest of the world)

Uhuru – freedom, and also the origin of the Nyota Uhura’s name (star trek)

Kwanza – first, and the origin of the name for the holiday Kwanzaa

— Emma (@swalapalalangs) January 5, 2022

#Life

Africa produced some great words, like Uhuru in Swahili, meaning Freedom, though often not lived up to!

Or in Zulu the word Ubuntu, meaning: I am because we are! Urging humaneness, also not lived up to anywhere but a newer, better word perhaps leading to a better world!

— Anthony Steyning (@SteyningAnthony) December 31, 2021

 

 

Try using uhuru!

True or False?

Uhuru is often connected to the idea of national freedom.