Swahili speakers are spread throughout East Africa, primarily in:
* Tanzania: The largest concentration of Swahili speakers is in Tanzania, where it is the official language.
* Kenya: Swahili is also an official language in Kenya and is widely spoken.
* Uganda: Swahili is widely spoken in Uganda, especially in urban areas and among the Muslim community.
* Rwanda: Swahili is spoken in Rwanda, though not as widely as in the other countries listed.
* Burundi: Swahili is used in Burundi as a lingua franca, especially in commerce and education.
* Democratic Republic of Congo: Swahili is spoken in the eastern part of the DRC, particularly in the areas bordering Tanzania and Uganda.
* Comoros: Swahili is one of the official languages of the Comoros, though it is not spoken as widely as in other countries.
In addition to these countries, Swahili is spoken by significant communities in:
* Other parts of Africa: It has spread to other parts of Africa through trade, migration, and education.
* Outside of Africa: There are Swahili speakers in Europe, North America, and other parts of the world due to migration and diaspora communities.
It's important to remember that "Swahili" refers to a language and culture, not a specific ethnicity. The Swahili people are diverse, and their origin stories vary depending on their specific location and community.