kalamu
Kalamu is the Kiswahili word for a writing instrument, commonly translated as “pen.” It is used across Swahili-speaking regions to refer to a range of devices used to write, from traditional reed or quill pens to modern fountain, ballpoint, gel, and dip pens. The term can also denote the act of writing in everyday speech.
Etymology and origins: Kalamu derives from the Arabic word qalam, meaning pen or stylus, and was incorporated
Historical development: In premodern and early modern East Africa, kalamu often referred to simple reed or
Usage and significance: Kalamu remains a practical term for writing instruments in daily Swahili usage. In
See also: Writing instruments; Calligraphy; Swahili language; Kalamu as a cultural concept in East Africa.