Asante

Perhaps you already know the word Asante from Disney's The Lion King (Where the monkey character Rafiki gleefully hops around chanting "Asante Sana Squashed Banana"). In Swahili, the word Asante means "Thank You." Asante Sana, "Thank you very much." I love how much people say thank you here.

Thank You is universally used when being welcomed into someone's home, when someone moves over on the dala dala, or just because you came. And it is used genuinely, not as a forgetten reminder of something that your mother told you to say when someone does you a kindness.

For instance, someone may ask "How are you finding Tanzania?" I respond "I love it here." Asante Sana. Another time I might be asked "So what are you doing in Tanzania?" I respond "I hope to work as a volunteer in health and development." Again, Asante Sana. When I went to the British Airways office in Dar Es Salaam earlier this week to change my ticket for my flight back home, not only was it Asante Sana, but it was a reduction of $150 in airline charges and fees associated with changing a ticket. Karibu Sana - You are very welcome here in Tanzania.