African Libraries Celebrate International Mother Tongue Day 2026

27 FEBRARY 2026

International Mother Tongue Day, celebrated annually on 21 February, highlights the importance of preserving linguistic diversity and promoting multilingual education. The 2026 theme, “Youth Voices on Multilingual Education,” encouraged libraries across Africa to engage children and young people in activities that celebrate their home languages. Through a collaboration between AfLIA and StoryWeaver, libraries were supported to organize local initiatives that raised awareness about the value of reading, learning, and expressing oneself in the mother tongue. Across the continent, librarians mobilized children, families, and schools to create joyful learning experiences that strengthened literacy, cultural identity, and pride in local languages.

Celebrating Igbo language and culture – Onitsha Divisional Library, Nigeria

At Onitsha Divisional Library in Anambra State, Nigeria, Dr. Ngozi Perpetua Osuchukwu led a vibrant celebration that brought together 37 children from seven schools, accompanied by their parents and guardians. Preparations began several days before the event through phone calls, WhatsApp discussions, meetings with library staff, and engagement with schools and families. Library staff carefully selected books written in Igbo, including resources available through StoryWeaver.

On the day of the celebration, children arrived dressed in beautiful traditional attire. They greeted one another in Igbo to create an atmosphere of pride and cultural belonging. The session began with discussions on the importance of preserving the mother tongue through speaking, reading, writing, and spelling.

Children participated in shared reading activities using Mbido Igbo and an Igbo StoryWeaver story, A hụrụ m ma onwelu n’anya. Many of the children took turns reading aloud, allowing librarians to assess and encourage their mother-tongue reading skills. Discussions followed, helping children reflect on the stories, identify lessons learned, and practise speaking Igbo confidently.

The learning continued with spelling exercises and lessons on the 36-letter Igbo alphabet. Using the library’s blackboard, children enthusiastically practised pronunciation, spelling, and writing. The excitement grew as every child wanted an opportunity to participate.

One of the highlights of the day was the outdoor cultural performance. Children sang, danced, and played along to traditional music using local musical instruments. Their colourful attire and energetic performances brought the celebration to life.

The event concluded with refreshments, photographs, and a commitment from the children to speak and read more Igbo. Parents and library staff expressed great satisfaction with the programme and agreed to continue using StoryWeaver resources in future activities.

Reading aloud in Siswati and English – Pigg’s Peak Public Library, Eswatini

At Pigg’s Peak Public Library in Eswatini, Junior Library Assistant Cebisile Mamba organized a Mother Language Read Aloud session that celebrated the richness of multilingual storytelling. The event featured four stories drawn from StoryWeaver and the library’s collection. These included Incwadzi ya Punchku, translated into Siswati by Ms. Mamba, Telephones – Bell to Cell, Mine and Yours: A Children’s Book about Rights and Responsibilities, and Tinyoka taKhosi.

The session welcomed children with different language backgrounds. Those who spoke Siswati were delighted to hear stories in their own language, while children who understood English were able to follow and enjoy the experience as well. The use of both languages ensured that every child felt included.

Stories were projected using a desktop computer to make the reading session interactive and engaging. Children listened attentively, laughed at amusing moments, and eagerly repeated phrases from the stories. One child remarked that hearing a story in Siswati made them feel “special and proud of my language.”

Following the read-aloud sessions, children participated in discussions where they shared their thoughts and feelings about the stories. The conversations demonstrated how multilingual reading activities can help children express themselves confidently while strengthening their language skills.

The celebration also highlighted the collaborative work of library staff in selecting appropriate books from StoryWeaver and the library shelves. Photographs and videos captured children’s participation, discussions, reflections, and group activities. The event inspired participants to become champions for mother-language reading and literacy.

Conclusion

The celebrations at Onitsha Divisional Library in Nigeria and Pigg’s Peak Public Library in Eswatini are excellent examples of how African librarians marked International Mother Tongue Day 2026. Through storytelling, reading aloud, language games, cultural performances, and meaningful discussions, libraries created joyful opportunities for children to connect with their languages and cultures. Supported by the AfLIA and StoryWeaver partnership, these initiatives demonstrated the important role libraries play in promoting multilingual education and strengthening literacy while ensuring that young voices continue to thrive in Africa’s rich linguistic heritage.