* Bantu: This is the linguistic foundation of Swahili. It comes from the Bantu languages spoken by indigenous groups in East Africa.
* Arabic: This influence comes from the historical trade interactions between the Bantu people and Arab traders. Arabic words, grammar, and cultural concepts were integrated into the existing Bantu language.
So, Swahili is essentially a Bantu language heavily influenced by Arabic, creating a unique language that bridges cultures.