Anthology of Somali Poetry

"This is a fascinating and unusual collection that deserves attention." --Bloomsbury Review

"... 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." --Bulletin of the School of Irental and African Studies

"This 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." --International Journal of African Historical Studies

Somalia has been called "a nation of poets." 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.

B. W. ANDRZEJEWSKI is Emeritus Professor of Cushitic Languages and Literatures in the University of London, where he was a faculty member of the School of Oriental and African Studies from 1952 to 1982. SHEILA ANDRZEJEWSKI (née Weekes) accompanied her husband on most of his research travels and shares his interest in the literary culture of Somalia.

Introduction

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