Specifically, Jambo is a Swahili language word that belongs to noun classes 5-6 for "collectives".
Jambo primarily means 'affair',[1] in the sense of commercial, professional, public or personal business.
[1] The spoken word "Jambo" was once used as a greeting among traders of the Swahili coast of southeast Africa.
It was used by traders from India, China and other lands before the Portuguese Vasco da Gama visited the area in 1498.
[11] Briefly, the word today refers to "Mister" or big boss or an important person, and is occasionally used in a derogatory manner.
The British dictionary or older English usage refers the word "Master" as a male person who is in charge of others or of a task;[12] Large British sailing ships, for example, typically had both a captain and a sailing master, the latter in charge of the detailed handling of the ship.
[16] Today, more traditional greeting or welcoming terms are encouraged for tourists to better understand and to relate to the local people.
For example: In Tanzania and for the Swahili language, there are many tourist guides and educational pages which provide common phrases.
Shikamoo (a young person to an elder) – marahaba "Jambo" is also a surname in southern Africa.