Description
Book SynopsisSomalia has been called 'a nation of poets'. This volume aims to make available, in English translation, the universal of Somali poetry. It includes the following poets: Raage Ugaas, Xirsi Garaad Faarax Wiilwaal and others. It covers the oral and written medium, the pronunciation of Somali words, alliteration and scansion, a bibliography and more.
Trade Review'This is a fascinating and unusual collection that deserves attention.O NBloomsbury Review O ... this anthology of poetry is a breath of fresh air. It provides the reader with the means of gaining a deeper insight into Somali life through what is to the Somalis their most important cultural form, namely, poetry.O NBulletin of the School of Irental & African Studies OThis affordable and beautifully produced book is a small jewel in the field of Somali studies, as it is the fruit of over forty years of dedicated linguistic and literary scholarship by one of the most thorough and accurate translators and analysts of Somali poetry, B. W. Andrzejewski.O NInternational Journal of African Historical Studies Somalia has been called Oa nation of poets.O This volume makes available in beautiful English translation the very best, and most universal, of Somali poetry, from the 19th century to the present. With appendixes covering the oral and written medium, the pronunciation of Somali words, alliteration and scansion, selected bibliography, and sources.
Table of ContentsIntroduction
The Poems
Raage Ugaas
1 To the Camels
2 A Broken Betrothal
3 A Horse Beyond Compare
4 Riposte to a Young Opponent in a Poetic Duel
5 Old Age
Xirsi Garaad Faarax 'Wiilwaal'
6 A Young Sultan Speaks to His People
Cali Bucul
7 Guulside, the Victory Bearer
Aadan-Gurey Maxamed Cabdille
8 Seventy and Ten Years
Faarax Afcad
9 Camel Rustling—1
Qawdhan Ducaale
10 Camel Rustling—2
Cali Jaamac Haabiil
11 The Death of a Friend
Maxamed Cabdille Xasan
12 A Fine War Horse
13 A Land of Drought
14 Treason
15 A Terrible Journey
16 Folly
17 Perhaps the Trumpet Has Sounded
18 A Prayer for Maryam
Xuseen Maxamuud Faarax known as 'Xuseen Dhiqle'
19 The Lion's Share
Ismaaciil Mire
20 Change of Command
21 A Hoopoe Rebuked
22 Listen, O Truck
23 Fleeting Joys
24 What Will Come Next?
Saahid Qamaan
25 Equality
Qamaan Bulxan
26 The Stolen Wife
27 In Praise of Barni Sheekh
Nuur Ugaas Rooble
28 Dissimulation
Cilmi Bowndheri
29 A Vain Love
30 A Vision
31 The Messenger
Faarax Shuuriye
32 A Chief is Thanked for the Gift of a Horse
Cumar Xuseen 'Ostreeliya'
33 Where True Profit Lies
34 In Praise of Weris
Muuse Xaaji Ismaaciil Galaal
35 The Serpent
Axmed Maxamed Good 'Shimbir'
36 A Lover's Fears
Cali Sugulle
37 A Happy Marriage
Xasan Sheekh Muumin
38 The Betrayed Girl
Axmed Ismaaciil Diiriye 'Qaasim'
39 Bitter and Sweet
Maxamed Ibraahim 'Hadraawi'
40 At the Grave of Cilmi Bowndheri
41 Beledweyn
Appendices
I. The Oral and the Written Medium
II. Pronunciation of Somali Words
III. Alliteration and Scansion
IV. Selected Bibliography
V. Sources
