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Swahili Time
Timekeeping in Swahili can be quite different than common time keeping. In Swahili, the time of a new day does not begin at midnight, instead it begins at sunrise. And because we are near the equator in Tanzania, the sun always rises near 6 am and sets around 6 pm. Therefore, our 7:00 AM is called "saa moja" in Swahili (which means "hour one") because it is approximately one hour after sunrise. 

8:00 AM is then called "saa mbili'" in Swahili ("hour 2") , etc.  So in Tanzania, this is why you always need to clarify an appointment time with others, in order to confirm if you are talking Swahili time or English time!


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