Swahili · Culture & Society
serikali
Government
Intermediatenoun
Definition
The group of people who rule a country.
Example
Serikali imetangaza sera mpya.
The government announced a new policy.
Etymology
'Serikali' is derived from the Arabic word 'siyasa', meaning governance, and reflects the historical governance structures in Swahili coastal towns.
How & Where It’s Used
'Serikali' is mostly used in formal contexts related to politics, government, and law, in both spoken and written formats throughout East Africa.