Mashairi YA Vita Vya Kuduhu: War Poetry in Kiswahili Exchanged at the Time of Kuduhu

by Ann Biersteker (Editor), Ibrahim Noor Shariff (Editor)

Overview

Mashairi Ya Vita Vya Kuduhu is a presentation and discussion of both manuscript and published versions of poems written by Lamu poets around the time of the Battle of Kuduhu. The poetic dialogue studied in this volume has played a significant role in the history of Swahili poetry, and its primary concern is to inform continued work in this area. The poems contained in this work were transmitted and preserved by speakers of Kiswahili and later collected and preserved by scholars. Chapter One contains the edited poems; Chapter Two consists of the translations. Subsequent chapters include accounts of the Battle of Kuduhu, editing and translating practices, and annotated poems and source versions. This work is presented as an example of the importance of research, fieldwork, and the consideration of available versions and alternative styles of presentation in the study of Swahili poetry.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780870133237
Publisher:	Michigan State University Press
Publication date:	04/28/1995
Series:	African Historical Sources Series
Pages:	254
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Ann Joyce Biersteker is a professor in the Program in African Languages at Yale University.

Ibrahim Noor Shariff is a professor of African studies at Rutgers University.

Read an Excerpt

Mashairi Ya Vita Vya Kuduhu

War Poetry in Kiswahili Exchanged at the Time of the Battle of Kuduhu

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By Ann Biersteker, Ibrahim Noor Shariff

Michigan State University Press

Copyright © 1995 Ann Biersteker and Ibrahim Noor Shariff
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-87013-323-7

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CHAPTER 1

    MASHAIRI YA VITA VYA KUDUHU: EDITED POEMS Kabla ya Vita


    I. Shairi la Kwanza la Zahidi Mngumi

    Ziza na Asha Hamadi, wakhubirini malenga
    Ayao napije "hodi", milango tumeifunga
    Tumeikomeza midi, na magogo ya kupinga
    Kupa hirimu kutanga, kuuza kilicho ndani

    Ya mshabaka vurungu, avumizapo muyumbe
    Kusi zenu matawangu, na zandamane na p'embe
    Tukeshe yot'e makungu, kula mwenye lake nambe
    Maneno tusiyafumbe, walau tusiyakhini

    T'at'asa, p'afu mpambe, patanisha zibodoo
    Avumizapo muyumbe, siwa yetu ya Mreo
    Na yandamane na p'embe, mishindo iwe t 'angao
    Tukumbuke yapitao, mapotofu ya zamani

    Tukumbuke ulimwengu, umezozinga duniya
    Kizazi na moya fungu, kupinduliyana niya
    Kufuliziyana p'ingu, ili mwende kumtiya
    Kila mt'u chamba "haya", achambiwa, "Mtiyeni"
    Kula mwenye mbovu niya, na wenye dhamiri nasi
    Rabbi tatuhukumiya, tukuze zetu nafusi
    Kwa amri ya Jaliya, aliye Mola Mkwasi
    Kufuata mfuwasi, hilo halipatikani

    Kula mwenye niya mbovu, Ngwa mpindukiza yeye
    Moka kiwana cha ivu, nale na aliyo naye
    Aifanyao mwerevu, penye iyuu akaye
    Asikome mayutoye, afiliye mayutoni

    Kimbelembele waume, t'akukuk'uta kisiki
    Takanani tuandame, kwa uhadimu wa nyuki
    Pindani usituegeme, kwa miomo ya bunduki
    Tufiliye yetu haki, tusiwekwe cheo duni


    II. Shairi la Pili la Zahidi Mngumi Alilowatungia Waamu

    Atilia zibodoo, mbeja mpija t'asa,
    Hakimu wasome zuo, welewao ni firasa
    Dori lot'e watakao, waye wandike darasa
    Kwa la khiyana kabisa, tezi wandike hukumu

    Na ndiya yenye hasadi, ni khasara kungiliwa
    Hishima yangu abadi, nda kurai na kongowa
    Nasairi ya biladi, ndipomi kawatukuwa
    Hii mila ya wendiwa, yondosize tabasamu
    Na atowe mwenye siri, musinegeshe shutuma
    Mi hila sikukithiri, nataka yenu salama
    Amali yangu ni kheri, kwepukana na malama
    Bisharaye na alama, hamutowe kufahamu


    III. Shairi la Muyaka bin Haji Kuwashambulia Waamu

    Risala wa K'ongoweya, mwenezi kafikilile
    Kambe na wasosikiya, maneno yangu wambile
    Hawapati kunitaya, naliwambiya papale
    Mjenga nyumba halele, yulele ukumbizani

    Siche kifaru na ndovu, wangakukaliya mbele
    Wangawa nyama wa nguvu, siwache hawakumbile
    Kambe nao washupavu, kwamba hawalimshile
    Mjenga nyumba halele, yulele ukumbizani

    Gongwa ni mwina wa kina, azamaye yuzamile
    Si mwenye kuzuka tena, uzamapo upotele
    Huwa akikosekana, hutwawa ni maji male
    Mjenga nyumba halele, yulele ukumbizani

    Fa, kam mambo mangapi, mapisi yalipisile
    Yalo mare na mafupi, ambayo tuyaonele
    Kuyaonaswi mwalipi, wa nyuma mwendao mbele
    Mjenga nyumba halele, yulele ukumbizani
    Lau na kwamba mwajuwa, wajuvi mwalijuvile
    Msingelituuguwa, kuwa waovu ja ndwele
    Muumba ndiye mumbuwa, hili musiliwale
    Mjenga nyumba halele, yulele ukumbizani

    Mzowefu wa kutenda, mambo mema si mtule
    Ajapo kuwa ni p'unda, miyongoni simtole
    Ni ya mti mwenyi tunda, ufawo wat'u milele
    Mjenga nyumba halele, yulele ukumbizani

    Upetwe ni jambo gani, kiumbe uzingatile
    Hivyo wamba hata lini, kuwandama upotole
    Kanyamapo zako kani, k'ani zako ushishile
    Mjenga nyumba halele, yulele ukumbizani

    Likupetele sinawe, nawe langu usingile
    Katafute wanginewe, ambao wakutulele
    Majuto yaja mwishowe, ambapo vikutalile
    Mjenga nyumba halele, yulele ukumbizani

    Tamati natiya mwisho, maneno yangu komele
    Hayanitishi matisho, yenu nywinywi wenye ole
    Moyoni sitii kicho, hatiya moyo uwele
    Mjenga nyumba halele, yulele ukumbizani


    IV. Wimbo wa Waamu

    Akienda Juma ili kudaisi
    Kenda kawakuta wakivuwa nswi
    Teka la Tenewi Hamadi Shamsi


    V. Shairi la Muyaka bin Haji

    Nalishika ngurumza, kwa mkono wa kushoto
    Na mato hayang'ariza, mfanowe kama moto
    Waamu hawafukuza, kama ng'ombe kwa ufito
    Hapigwa chombo kizito, haangukiya majini.


    VI. Zahidi Mngumi kwa Niaba ya Kikao cha Zena Kuwatungia Wanachama wa Suudi
    Tuna kori za asili, tusizoyuwa mipaka
    Hulima sut'e wayoli, tukivuniya shirika
    Kuna nokowa jamali, utashiye kutubika
    Kunyamaa tumechoka, mwatupa shauri gani?

    Mla shokowa la P'emba, na kwetu ataka kula
    Uyao kiwambawamba, na kutwegesha madhila
    Meifanya kuwa simba, kuya pasina muhula
    Akiya tashuka Shela, Suudi mutatendani?
    P'ani shauri Suudi, niliyuwe na mapema

    Ambalo lenye muradi, nanyi mu wana wazima
    Isiwe kutaradadi, iwapo siku ya kwima
    Tufe katika hishima, tusiwekwe cheo duni


    VII. Jibu la Bakari bin Jabir
    La kutenda situyuze, situyuze la kutenda
    Metufunda Mwana Mize, Mwana Mize metufunda
    Kuwa p'unda tuizize, tuizize kuwa p'unda
    Kwandikwa tapo tuchenda, kamwe halipatikani

    Hela tunda kwa dalili, kwamba wataka maana
    Jimbi mtambiya mbali, mtasamba na kudona
    Huuzwa iye makali, kiwandani akiwana!
    Tusiyoonana yana, na yeo hatuonani

    Naapa kwa Mola yanga, dhuli si yenye tupata
    Nasi tuli na mizinga, mivi na ziyandi pota
    Suudi mwali na p'anga, wataye wenye kuzita
    Turadhi sambo kutota, sut'e tukawa maini


    VIII. Jibu la Bwana Yusuf Lamy

    Tuketiziye tayari, watumwa kwa waungwana
    Na bunduki mshamari, tukatiziye na tana
    Ili kuziwiya ari, wazele wetu na wana
    Kwa mahadazi hapana, yalipitile zamani


    IX. Jibu Jingine la Muamu

    Inshalla tumo jahani, kana kwamba Kiwandeo
    Muyatakapo maoni, mtafidi mtakayo
    Musitiwe khofu kwani, na kufishwa zenu nyoyo
    Ni yeo siku ni yeo, maisha ni kaburini


    X. Jibu Jingine la Muamu

    Twalipopija kimondo, p'epo zikeneya yanga
    Ili kubashiri k'ondo, khasa kwa nti za Yunga
    Kutakithiri zitendo, na kushadidi upanga
    P'epo zikisha kuzinga, p'wani mkunguni p'wani


    XI. Shairi la Muyaka bin Haji Alilowatungia Waamu
    Mimi niko Pate-Yunga, nifuwete Ahamadi
    Qatu si mwenye kuzinga, ulimi wangu sirudi
    P'inga zenu mungapinga, hazitangui ahadi
    Siku ya thuluthi ahadi, tutaonana fundoni

    Watumba musiwe kule, mukakaa kandokando
    Vutikani muye mbele, tuoneshane zitendo
    Mtaona wateule, nguo wafungenye p'indo

    Siku ya kutinda fundo, tutaonana fundoni
    Yasiwawee sahali, hatuna budi na kuya
    Mutaona mafahali, vita wakivip'apiya
    Zondoke zenu akili, mtefute pa kungiya
    Baa zitawashukiya, mwambe: twalizaliwani?


    XII. Jibu la Zahidi Mngumi

    Muhibu wangu mngwana, niwene wako waraka
    K'ifahimiya maana, kiteko kikanitoka
    Nguo muyapo fungana, zitawakusa mashaka
    Nt'oteya ziso koka, meswiri kuwa kizani

    Kwamba uko Pate-Yunga, nami niko Kiwa-ndeo
    Sikae ukiipanga, hutofidi muradio
    Mume huya akasonga, haneni "yeo ni yeo"
    Wayole mbwawa waliyo, watendayo msituni

    Simba kiwa mawindoni, hufinika zake ndole
    Huzivika mtangani, muwindwa asiziole
    Uliza utasakani, muyinga uzingatile
    Nyoka za ng'ongo kobele, hatuchi situtisheni

    Rijali kukaa k'ando, tunaivunda shariya
    Ule mtamani k'ondo, ndiye mwenye kurubiya
    Maneno yaso vitendo, mwisowe hujinamiya
    Jaribu kutegemeya, tukut'aneni fundoni
    Hatuchi situtisheni, hatuituki mishindo

    Tangu kae na zamani, tu wazoevu wa k'ondo
    Ivu la moto na k'uni, tutalitenda zitendo
    Siku ya kutinda fundo, tutaonana fundoni

    Wallahi twaapa Mngu, na Mtume Muhammadi
    Ndoni munwe matungu, mubadilike jisadi
    Muwe karamu ya t'ungu, na t'ai kuwafisidi
    Na tamaa ya kurudi, kwenu silifikirini

    Mukiwa ni wenye kuya, pasiwe na mshawasha
    Kwanda fanyani wasiya, ya wana kuwarithisha
    Wake muwape zifaya, maeda yao kweusha
    Mukiya tutawashusha, mashukiyo ya zamani,

    Na kwamba muiyuwele, bandari yenu ya kale
    Wauzeni wasalile, wavyele wenu wavule
    Muuzeni usalile, Bwana wa Bwana Salale
    Hata la yeo walele, kamwe hawazindukani

    Mutapongia fundoni, nasi hapa huwalinda
    Nguwo zenu zifungeni, mwambiye nakhudha Penda
    Tuketiye milangoni, hulinda la kuwatenda
    Mutapongiya Mkanda, nasi tushukiye p'wani


    XIII. Shairi la Muyaka bin Haji

    Atani Wakiwandeo, maneno yenu atani
    Musinene mupendao, yawatokao kanwani
    Siku ya msu na ngao, na risasi matavuni
    Mtaambiwa "Semeni," la kunena msijuwe

    Baada ya Vita


    XIV. Shairi la Zahidi Mngumi

    Karatasi ya Kishamu, sikiliya Zinjibari
    Kampe yangu salamu, muhibu wangu kathiri
    Umweleze afahamu, zita ziliyokujiri
    Ni mshuko wa adhuhuri, mwezi tano'l-kharnisi

    Kuduhu kuyile zita, kwetu zikatushukiya
    Bunduki zetu na mata, Waamu tukamiriya
    P'anga zao zikameta, zetu zikawashukiya
    Radi zikiwavumiya, na mvuwa t'asit'asi

    Ikisa kwanuka vuwa, wasalamu alayku
    Mudawe twaloamuwa, ni mt'u kutinda kuku
    Kamwe na tumeyafuwa, wa huku asende huku
    Madau tukaya huku, mali tukayafilisi
    Na mutokapo Unguja, tahadhari na Mombasa

    Kwani wana yao huja, kwetu Amu tumewesa
    Jinsi twalowafuja, hawaaminiki sasa
    Nawadulisha kabisa, ndiwe Amu ndiwe sisi

CHAPTER 2

MASHAIRI YA VITA VYA KUDUHU: TRANSLATIONS

Poems Exchanged Before the Battle

    I. Shairi la Zahidi Mngumi

    Ziza na Asha Hamadi, Proclaim to the master poets
    One who enters must ask permission as we have closed the doors
    We have bolted them tightly, with fastened logs
    And given our peers to ponder, asking what is inside

    When the messenger blows, the trumpet of well-made copper
    Your brass plates and clapping beat, should accompany the horn
    Let us stay awake till dawn, everyone should speak his mind
    Let us not speak allusively, nor should we hold back our words

    Herald, strike the cymbals freely, strike in rhythmic harmony
    When the messenger blows, our Lamu siwa
    Let it be accompanied by horns, the accompaniments in harmony
    So that we may remember the past, the evils of antiquity

    Let us remember the earthly world, the way the world changes
    Those bom of the same lineage turning against each other
    Hammering each other in fetters, so should you shackle someone
    When anyone says, "Agreed", it is said, "Shackle him!"
    Anyone with an evil intention, and those conspiring against us
    God will judge them for us, let us uplift ourselves
    With the aid of God, God, the Magnificent one
    To follow a follower this is not acceptable

    Anyone with an evil intention, may God turn evil on him
    He who bakes bread of ashes shall eat it with his comrades
    He who thinks himself cunning, may he come to an evil end
    May he remain remorseful, may he die in contrition

    With ferocity, men, let us drag the tree stump
    Let us follow all together, with the diligence of bees
    Opponent, should you not support us, facing gun barrels
    Let us die for justice, rather than live in abjection


    II. Shairi la Zahidi Mngumi

    Stop the music elegant percussionist
    Let the judges study the books, those who understand are experts
    May those who want an opportunity, address their audience
    In response to the treachery, judges should pass judgement

    The way of the malicious, is dangerous to follow
    As your obedient servant, mine is to oblige rather than dictate
    The service of the city, is why I have accepted

    This behavior of our friends, detracts from our well being
    Anyone who knows anything damaging should speak rather than blame me
    My stratagems were not excessive, your well being is paramount
    My actions are appropriate, so as to avoid reproach
    As for clairvoyance and premonition, of these you should not speak


    III. Shairi la Muyaka bin Haji

    Messenger of K'ongowea, envoy may you arrive
    To tell my full message to those who do not hear
    They will be unable to reproach me, this I have told them
    The builder of a house does not sleep there, he lies off to the side

    Fear not the rhino and elephant, should they await you
    Although powerful beasts, fear them not they will not harm you
    Speak with the obstinate, tell them they did not destroy him
    The builder of a house does not sleep there, he lies off to the side

    Gongwa is a deep channel, one who dives there vanishes
    He does not surface again, when he dives he is lost
    He disappears, captured by the depths
    The builder of a house does not sleep there, he lies off to the side

    How much has taken place, in times past
    The great and insignificant, events we have seen
    You who were once behind, are now pushing forward
    The builder of a house does not sleep there, he lies off to the side
    If only you understood, you who speak so sharply
    You would not have us in pain, viciousness is like a disease
    The Creator is also The Destroyer, this should not dumbfound you
    The builder of a house does not sleep there, he lies off to the side

    One accustomed to virtuous deeds, is not a wretched person
    Even if he is an ass, you should not expel him from your midst
    He should be like a fruit tree, bountiful to people forever
    The builder of a house does not sleep there, he lies off to the side

    What must happen to you, so that you become aware
    You will speak thus for how long, following obstinacy?
    When you suppress your anger, you will grasp your strength
    The builder of a house does not sleep there, he lies off to the side

    What happens to you is not my concern, nor should my concerns involve you
    Go and seek others, who may console you
    Remorse will come finally, when you are in difficulty
    The builder of a house does not sleep there, he lies off to the side

    I conclude and bring to an end my final words
    I am not frightened by your threats, you who are destined for grief
    I do not encourage that which would cause me pain
    The builder of a house does not sleep there, he lies off to the side


    IV. Wimbo wa Waamu

    Juma went off to spy
    He went off and saw them fishing
    Their catch at Tenewi was Hamadi Shamsi


    V. Shairi la Muyaka bin Haji

    I grasped the roaring implement, with my left hand
    My eyes began to flash, it was like fire
    I drove the Waamu away, like cattle with a stick
    I was hit with a heavy instrument, and fell into the water


    VI. Shairi la Zahidi Mngumi

    We have traditional lands, with boundaries we do not know
    We work together like slaves, equally sharing the harvest
    There is a local overseer, whose intention is to provoke
    We are tired of silent submission, what advice do you give us?

    The one who exploited Pemba, now would take advantage of us
    Coming in a charge to humiliate us
    He pretends to be a lion, approaching without hesitation
    When he comes he would land at Shela, Suudi what will you do?

    Give me advice Suudi, let me know it soon
    Advice that is a resolve, you are all mature
    It should not be indecisive, if it is the day of standing up
    Let us die in honor, rather than live in abjection


    VII. Response of Bakari bin Jabir

    What to do need not be asked of us, you need not ask us what to do
    We have been taught by Mwanamize, Mwanamize has taught us
    We refuse to be treated as donkeys, to be donkeys we have refused
    For us to be loaded as such, would never be possible

    Well then look for a sign, if you wish
    A cock struts afar, dancing as it pecks
    Is it not absurd to ask how ferocious it may be, when we see it fighting
    Those with whom we did not consult yesterday, we will not consult now

    I swear by God in heaven, humiliation will not be ours
    We also have cannons, arrows and guns
    And Suudi you have swords, to those who speak of war we say
    We prefer that the ship should sink, and all of us drown together


    VIII. Response of Bwana Yusuf Lamy

    We have sat together as equals, slave and free
    With loaded guns, and polished swords
    So as to prevent the dishonor, of our elders and children
    There will be no deceit, that has been laid to rest

(Continues...)

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Excerpted from Mashairi Ya Vita Vya Kuduhu by Ann Biersteker, Ibrahim Noor Shariff. Copyright © 1995 Ann Biersteker and Ibrahim Noor Shariff. Excerpted by permission of Michigan State University Press.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Table of Contents

Contents

Other titles in the African Historical Sources Series,
Title Page,
Copyright Page,
Acknowledgements,
Introduction,
1. MASHAIRI YA VITA VYA KUDUHU: EDITED POEMS Kabla ya Vita,
2. MASHAIRI YA VITA VYA KUDUHU: TRANSLATIONS,
3. ACCOUNTS OF KUDUHU,
4. EDITING AND TRANSLATING PRACTICES,
5. ANNOTATED EDITION OF MASHAIRI YA VITA AND SOURCE VERSIONS,
BIBLIOGRAPHY,