attente 08

 

UT̪UMBUIZO WA KUMWAWIA LIYONGO / THE SHINING OF THE MOON ON LIYONGO – CRITICAL EDITION

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Sources:

Ha = Harries (1962: 181) ‘The Lament’ (identical version/translation to Hichens)

Hi = Hichens (ms 205000, p. 15 SOAS, typed) untitled

Kn = Knappert (1979: 70) ‘The Song of the Leopard’

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1. Ai mwezi kuwawato ♦ kuwawia makutani

2. Kuwawia shaha Shanga ♦ shaha Ozi yu gizani

3.T̪’ui ho ho t̪’ui kimango1

1 Kn: Manga

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UT̪UMBUIZO WA KUMWAWIA LIYONGO / THE SHINING OF THE MOON ON LIYONGO

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1.   Ai mwezi kuwawato[1] ♦ kuwawia makutani 1.   O moon! shine brightly, gleam on the high walls,
2.   Kuwawia shaha Shanga ♦ shaha Ozi yu gizani 2.   gleam on the master bard of Shanga, the master bard of Ozi, who is in darkness.
3.   T̪’ui ho[2] ho t̪’ui kimango[3] 3.   the leopard, the mighty leopard!

[1] kung’aa sana.

[2] huyo.

[3] mwenye nguvu.

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UT̪UMBUIZO WA KUMWONGOA MTOTO / LULLABY – CRITICAL EDITION

Sources:

Ha = Harries (1962: 180) ‘Serenade 2’

HH = Institute of Asian and African Studies Hamburg (ms 3552 H 117, in Arabic script) ‘Qa shairi’

Kn = Knappert (1979: 74-75) ‘Liongo, The King of Bauri’

Nab = Nabahany (ms in Arabic script) ‘Qala Liyongo Fumo’

Tay = Taylor (ms 47754 SOAS in Arabic script) ‘Qala shairi’

1. Ewe mwana nyamaa siliye ♦ kasikiya2 ♦ Fumo wa Bauri

= HH, Tay: 1a-b

2 HH: missing; Kn: kasikiye

2. 1Kasikiya Fumo yu2 mkenge3 ♦ mwenda4 Gana ♦ yuu la namiri⁵

1 = HH, Tay: 1c,2a

Nab, Tay: missing

3 Kn: kasikiye Fumo mkengiye

4 HH: mwanda

⁵ HH: [kasiliya fumo mkenge]; Ha: mudanganya; Nab: [mudagana]; Tay: [madagana]; Kn: mudanganywa nyuo la amiri

3. 1Yuasiye jina2 yuasiye ♦ ha shuwara ♦ Fumo Mringwari³

1 = HH, Tay: 2b-c

2 HH, Ha: jinni

3 Kn: kwa shuwara; HH, Tay: [M(u)rangali]; Ha, Nab: hata mwizi Fumo Mringwari

4. 1At̪a shaki² muwewa siliye ♦ ukaliza3 ♦ nami⁴ yakajiri5

1 = HH, Tay: 3a-b

2 Ha, Kn: shake

3 HH: [akaliza]

⁴ Ha: yangu

5 Kn: pulikiza yangu yalojiri

5. 1 Yakajiri maozi usaha. ♦ Mwenye gheri ♦ kapata habari

1 This line is found in HH (3c-d,4a) and Tay (3c,4a) and is probably not completely transmitted:

HH: [Waozi wa ♦ shaha mwenye gheri ♦ akapata baadhi habari]

Tay: [Maozi usaha. ♦ Mwenye gheri ♦ akapata baadhi habari]

6. 1Washorongwa wapozewe² mali ♦ akawapa ♦ mud̪a na namiri³ 

1 = HH, Tay: 4b-c,5a; 6a = Ha: 5a, Kn: 5a, Nab: 5a; 6b: is only found in Tay (4c,5a) and HH (4c,5a)

² HH: [kakusanya]

3 Ha, Nab: kumuzinga (Kn: kumzenga) Fumo wa Bauri

7. 1Wakawa asi kwa pamoya ♦ kumzinga ♦ Fumo wa Bauri

1 = HH, Tay: 5b-c; 7a is found in HH, Tay: 5b; 7b = Ha: 5b, Kn: 5b, Nab: 5b

8. 1Wakenenda mwaoni2, simba ♦ yushishiye ♦ msu na hanjari

1 = HH: 5d, 6a-b; Tay: 5c,6a-b; Ha: 7a-b; Kn: 7a-b; Nab: 6

2 Ha: wakenende wasowene; Kn: wasowene; Nab: [muwende]

9. 1Akat̪eza Liyongo na Wat̪wa ♦ na muwiwe2 ♦ Mbwasho kashamiri3

1 = HH, Tay: 6c-d,7a; Ha: 8a-b; Kn: 8a-b; Nab: 7

2 Ha, HH: mwiwa; Kn: muwewa; Nab: [muwe]

3 Ha: kamshamiri

10. 1Wakarud̪i asi za Muungu², ♦ kamwambiya3 ♦ Fumo Mringwari

1 = HH, Tay: 7b-c; Ha: 8a-b; Kn: 8a-b; Nab: 8

2 Ha, Kn, Nab: kwa umoya wawo

3 HH: [kumwambiya]

11. 1Hawezeki Liyongo ni moto2 ♦ si kiumbe ♦ huyule ni nari³

1 = HH, Tay 7d,8a; Ha 9a-b; Kn 9a-b; Nab 9

HH: [mtu]

3 Kn gives two additional lines:

yuwashiye, jini, yuwashiye ♦ mashuwara yake Muringwari          
yushishiye sefu yupijiye ♦ akiruka kama ya namiri    

Possibly, the lines are taken from other poems. The first one seems to be the repetition of line 3 above.

12. 1Hawezeki Liyongo ni jini ♦ awezao ♦ nyani kumughuri?

1 Missing in Ha, Kn, Nab; = HH: 8b-c, Tay: 8a

 

Overview

New Ha HH Kn Nab Tay
1 1a,b 1a,b 1a,b 1 1a,b
2 2a,b 1c,2a 2a,b 2 1c,2a
3 3a,b 2b,c 3a,b 3 2b,c
4 4a,b 3a,b 4a,b 4 3a,b
5 3c,d,4a 3c,4a
6 5a 4b,c,5a 5a 5 4b,c,5a
7 5b 5b,c 5b 5 5b,c
8 7a,b 5d,6a,b 7a,b 6 5c,6a,b
9 6a,b 6c,d,7a 6a,b 7 6c,d,7a
10 8a,b 7b,c 8a,b 8 7b,c
11 9a,b 7d,8a 9a,b 9 7d,8a
12 8b,c 8a
(6a,7b) 5 5 5

 

 

UT̪UMBUIZO WA KUMWONGOA MTOTO / LULLABY

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1.   Ewe mwana nyamaa siliye ♦ kasikiya ♦ Fumo wa Bauri

1.   O, my baby, calm down, do not cry, lest Fumo [Liyongo] wa Bauri hear you,
2.   Kasikiya Fumo yu mkenge[1] ♦ mwenda Gana ♦ yuu la namiri[2] 2.   in case Fumo the fugitive hears you – he who goes to Gana – riding a leopard,
3.   Yuasiye[3] jina[4] yuasiye ♦ ha[5] shuwara[6] ♦ Fumo Mringwari 3.   he who has totally defied the jinns, (thus) making Fumo Mringwari feel uneasy.
4.   At̪a shaki[7] muwewa[8] siliye ♦ ukaliza ♦ nami yakajiri[9] 4.   Stop sobbing, my little one, do not cry, lest you make me cry too, tears of pus.
5.   Yakajiri maozi usaha. ♦ Mwenye gheri[10] ♦ kapata habari 5.   The proud person, [Liyongo], got some inkling [that]
6.   Washorongwa wapozewe[11] mali ♦ akawapa ♦ mud̪a na namiri 6.   the dancers have been paid, [Mringwari] gave them time [to prepare themselves] and the leopard[s][12].
7.   Wakawa asi kwa pamoya ♦ kumzinga ♦ Fumo wa Bauri 7.   They conspired all together to attack Fumo wa Bauri
8.   Wakenenda mwaoni, simba ♦ yushishiye[13] ♦ msu na hanjari 8.   [so] they went to the Mwao dance, where the lion was holding a sword and a dagger
9.   Akat̪eza Liyongo na Wat̪wa ♦ na muwiwe[14] ♦ Mbwasho kashamiri 9.   and where Liyongo danced with the WaTwa; the enemy of Mbwasho was already prepared.
10.   Wakarud̪i asi za Muungu, ♦ kamwambiya ♦ Fumo Mringwari 10.   They returned, the cursed ones, and told Fumo Mringwari that
11.   Hawezeki Liyongo ni moto ♦ si kiumbe ♦ huyule ni nari 11.   Liyongo is invincible, he is made of fire, he is not an ordinary human, but made of fire.[15]
12.   Hawezeki Liyongo ni jini ♦ awezao ♦ nyani kumughuri? 12.   Liyongo is invincible, he is a jinn, who can overcome him?

[1] mtoro.

[2] chui.

[3] ameasi.

[4] majini.

[5] hana.

[6] shwari.

[7] shake.

[8] (mtoto) mwenye kulelewa.

[9] (machozi) yakajiri.

[10] mwenye ari.

[11] wamepewa.

[12] Representing bravery and power

[13] ameshika.

[14] mtu mbaya, adui yake.

[15] In Islamic tradition, human beings are created from clay, and jinns are created from fire; hence, the metaphor of fire to emphasise the invincibility of Liyongo.

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UT̪UMBUIZO WA LIYONGO HARUSINI / LIYONGO AT THE WEDDING – CRITICAL EDITION

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Sources:

Da = Dammann (mss, handwritten in Roman script) ‘Gedichte des Liongo’

Ha = Harries (1962: 62-65), incorporated in the ‘Utend»i wa Liongo’

Kn1 = Knappert (1991: 213-226) ‘Shairi la gungu wakati wa Fumo Liongo’

Kn2 = Knappert (1979: 76 -77) ‘The Wedding Song’

Mu = Mulokozi (1999: 59 – 62) ‘Mashairi ya Liongo’

Nab = Nabahany (ms, handwritten in Roman script) ‘Utumbuizo’

SLB = State Library Berlin (Hs or 9898, Nr.383, S. 54-55, in Arabic script)

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1.  1Mringwari na T̪aikha² Vuaye³ ♦ nd̪ooni⁴ hwitwa⁵ na Fumo Liyongo

= Da: 1a, Ha: 1a, Kn2: 1-2, Nab: 1a-b, SLB: 1a

SLB: [shaha]

3 Ha: na taikha fuwanye; Kn1: Mringira na taikha fuwa; Kn2: Muringaji, taiha fuata; Mu: Mringari na Taikha Yuwaye; Nab: na Shaha fumo uye

4 Kn1, Kn2, Nab: nd̪oni; Mu: ndoo

5Da: hitwa; Nab, SLB: mwitwa

2. 1Nd̪ooni hwitwa² na Liyongo Fumo³ ♦ na nduguye shaha Bwana Mwengo⁴

= Da: 1b, Ha: 1b, Kn2: 3-4, Nab: 2a-b, SLB: 1b,2a-b

2 Da: hitwa, SLB: [mwitwa]; Kn1, Kn2, Mu, Nab: ndoni

3 Nab: ndoni na Liyongo Fumo

4 Mu: Bwana Mongo; Nab, SLB: [Shaha wa Bwana Mwengo]

3. 1Mukak’et̪i² yuu³ la uliliye⁴ ♦ wakusanya⁵ wat̪ezi6 wa ringo7

= Da: 1c, Ha: 2a, Kn2: 24, Nab: 4a-b, SLB: 3b,4a

2 Nab, SLB: wak’et̪iye

DaK1: yiu

Kn1: ulili; Nab, SLB: k’umbi; Mu: mkaketi yeo lauleliye;

5 Ha, Kn1, Mu: wakusanye; Nab, SLB: hukusanya; Kn2: wakutane

6 Ha: watenzi

7 Kn2: the second half line is preceded by other two lines not found in the other sources:

Wakiimba wakuu na wana ♦ wakutane watezi wa ringo (23,24)

4. 1Wakusanya² wat̪ezi hiyari³ ♦ wayuwao kutunga zifungo⁴

= Da: 1d, Ha: 2b, Kn2: 19-20, Nab: 5a-b, SLB: 4b

2 Ha, Kn1, Mu: wakusanye; Kn2: wakutane; Nab, SLB: hukusanya

3 Ha, Kn1+2, Mu: watenzi; Nab, SLB: watu wa shairi

4 Nab, SLB: kifungo

5. 1Wayuwao kufuwasa zina² ♦ na3 kut̪eza kwa⁴ kumiya5 shingo­⁶

= Da: 2a, Ha: 3a, Kn2: 21-22, Nab: 6a-b, SLB: 4b,5a

2 Nab, SLB: kufuwata

3 Nab, SLB: kwa

4 Kn1, Nab, SLB: na

5 Ha: kuumia; Mu: kumenya (kumiya?)

6 Kn2 adds here the following lines (23-27) that are not found in this form in the other sources:

Wakiimba wakuu na wana
wakutane watezi wa ringo
Na Liongo akaanza nyimbo
watwaeni wari wa mapambo
wa sauti njema za muwango

6. 1Hwitwa hima² inukani mwende³ ♦ wat̪ukufu wana wa zitengo

= Da: 2b, Ha: 3b, Kn2: 5-6, Nab: 15a,7b, SLB: 5b,6

2 Mu: huvita; Kn2: hima mwetwa

3 Nab: mwite hima inukani; SLB: [mwitwa hima inukani mwitwa]

7. 1Kuna2 gungu nyemi za harusi³ ♦ humuoza⁴ umbule⁵ Liyongo

= Da: 2c, Ha: 4a, Kn2: 11-12, Nab: 3a-b, SLB: 2c,3a

2 Da, Mu: kuza

3 SLB: [arusi]; Da: nyemi kama za arusi

4 Kn1: humuowa; Kn2: kumuoa; Da, Mu: humwona

5 Da: u mbali

8. 1P’indi sizo wat’u wasiyakaa² ♦ ukumbini kukawa kisongo

Missing in Nab, SLB; = Da: 2d, Ha: 4b, Kn2: 7-8

2 Da: wasikiao; Kn1+2: wasikae; Mu: wa yikao

9. 1Na muchenda² vaani libasi ♦ mujifushe na ungi³ wa mwingo⁴

= Da: 3a, Ha: 5a, Kn2: 9,18, Nab: 8a-b, SLB: 6,7a

2 Kn1: mukende; Kn2: mukija; Nab: mukiteza

3 Kn1: unga

Da, Ha: mengo; Nab: mwengo

10. 1Mujipake nat̪wibu hiyari² ♦  yalot̪uwa³ kwa zema ziungo⁴

= Da: 3b, Ha: 5b, Kn2: 17,10, Nab: 9a-b, SLB: 7b,8a

Nab: mujipake twibu khiyari

3 Kn2: lilotua; Nab: ilotuwa

4 Kn1: kazi ya mazingo; Mu: kazi mazingo; Kn2: mujifushe na ungi wa mengo,

11. 1Choshi² ni³ maambari⁴ na ud̪i⁵ ♦ fukizani nguo ziso ongo

= Da: 3c, Ha: 6a, Kn2: 13-14, Nab: 13a-b, SLB: 10b,11

2 Ha: choche; Mu: chushi

3 Da: na; Kn1: chenye

4 Kn1: ambari; Da: miambari

5 Kn2: chocheeni udi na ambari; Nab: tukisa choma ambari na udi; SLB: [choshi chema ambari na udi]

12. 1Fukizani2 nguo za hariri ♦ na zisutu³ zisizo⁵ zit̪ango

= Da: 3d, Ha: 6b, Kn2: 15-16, Nab: 14a-b, SLB: 11

Kn2: jivishani

3 Mu: zisuta

4 Nab: ziso

13. 1Pachori² na zafarani ♦ na³ zabad̪i twahara4 ya⁵ fungo

Missing in Kn2; = Da: 4a, Ha: 7a, Nab: 10a-b, SLB: 8a

2 Da: patani; Ha: patouri; Kn1: kwa pacholi; Mu: patunze

3 Nab: without na

4 Mu: twahasa

5 Nab: za

14. 1Na zit̪o² za karafuu³ ♦ t̪uliyani musitiwe t̪’ungo⁵

Missing in Kn2; = Da: 4b, Ha: 7b, Nab: 11a-b, SLB: 8b,9

2 Da: zit̪wa; Nab, SLB: ziembo

3 Kn1: na zito za karafuu heri

4 Da, Kn1, Mu: k’ombo; Ha: kungo

15. 1Na it̪iri² na kafuri³ haya⁴ ♦ ndiyo mwiso⁵ wa changu⁶ kiungo⁷

Missing in Kn2; = Da: 4c, Ha: 8a, Nab: 12a-b, SLB: 9

2 Da, Ha, Mu, Nab, SLB: ambari

3 Kn1: kafuri njema

4 Kn1: without haya

5 Nab: mezowa

6 Da, Ha, Mu: tangu; Nab, SLB: chenu

7 In Ha there follows here a line that is also found in Da and in Mu, but in both versions it appears at the end of the poem in the last stanza with the end-rhyme –ngo.
Ha (8b), Mu (34): Mjipake mkajifukize muende kwenu mukita mwengo
Da (9c): Mjipake mkifukiza mwende kwenu mkt̪iwae mingo

16. 1Na wambeja² wa k’usi na nyio³ ♦ watwaeni wari⁴ kwa miyongo⁵

Missing in Kn2, Nab, SLB; = Da: 4d, Ha: 9b, Kn2: 26 (Kn2 only has the second half line)

2 Ha, Kn1: wapija

3 Da, Mu: yeo; Ha: yio; Kn1: uio (pl. nyio)

4 Da: ware; Mu: wande

5 Da: mingo; Kn2: mapambo

17. 1Watwaeni mwende nao papo² ♦ wapokee sabuka kwa mwango³

Missing in Nab, SLB, partly in Kn2, Mu; = Da: 5a, Ha: 9a, Kn2: 26, Mu: 17(a)

2 Ha, Mu, Kn1: watwaeni wari na upambo; Kn2: watwaeni wari wa mapambo

3 Missing in Mu, instead second half line of 18: wa saut̪i njema ya muango

18. 1Na walio wazuri wa miyo² ♦ kwa3 saut̪i njema ya mwango

Missing in Ha, Nab, SLB, partly in Da, Kn2, Mu; = Da: 5b, Kn2: 27, Mu: 17(b)

2 Da: only wazuri

3 Kn2, Mu: wa

19. 1Hima hima inukani² mwetwa³ ♦ limekuwa yeo⁴ wazi lango⁵

Missing in Kn2; = Da: 5c, Ha: 10a, Mu: 18, Nab: 7a,15b, SLB: 12

2 Mu: ipukani

3 Ha: mwitwa; Nab: meta hima uonekane meta; SLB: mwitwa hima inukani mwende

4 Kn1: yiu

5 Kn1: zilango; Nab, SLB: watukufu wana wa zilango

20. 1Na² za kupa t’uzo nimeweka³ ♦ t̪’umbit̪’umbit⁴ miyongo miyongo5

Missing in Kn2; = Da: 5d, Ha: 10b, Mu: 19, Nab: 16a,18b, SLB: 12,13a

2 Ha: without na

3 Da: t’uzoni meweka; Ha, SLB: zimewekwa; Mu: tunzoni mewekwa; Nab: na za kumba tuzuri mweka

4 Da: t̪obit̪obi; Nab: ukumbini

5 SLB: ukumbini kwa Fumo Liyongo (cf.3-22)

21. 1Fedhat̪i² na k’owa za Hind̪i³ ♦ na mikufu ya kwawiya⁴ shingo⁵

Missing in Kn2; = Da: 6a, Ha: 11a, Mu: 20, Nab:17a-b, SLB: 13b,14

2 Kn1: na fidhat̪i; Mu: fidhali (fedhati?)

3 Ha: barhindi; Nab, SLB: fedha mbiti na nguo za Hindi

4 Da: ya kwa via; Kn1: yakawiya; Mu: kuwiya

5 Nab: na kama kufu za shingo

22. 1Namakapu makapu ya nguo³ ♦ ukumbini kwa Fumo Liyongo4

Missing in Kn2; = Da: 6b, Ha: 11b, Mu: 21, Nab: 18a,16b, SLB: 14

2 Ha: without na

3 Da: na makapu ya nguo

4 SLB: [ukumbini miyongo miyongo] (cf. 3-20)

23. 1P’indi sizo2 wat’u wakafika ♦ ukumbini kukawa kisongo

Missing in Kn2, Nab, SLB; = Da: 6c, Ha: 12a, Mu: 22

2 Mu: pinde ziso

24. 1Wenye zimo zimo zikakuwa ♦ na wafupi² wakinyowa³ shingo

Missing in Kn1+2; = Da: 6d, Ha: 12b, Mu: 23, Nab: 19a-b, SLB: 15

2 Nab, SLB: zifumbi

3 Mu: wakinyua; Nab: wa kinyowa

25. 1Kula mt’u kamba² ni nyemi³ ♦ wenda⁴ wima na wenda⁵ zijongo

Missing in Kn1+2; = Da: 7a, Ha: 13a, Mu: 24, Nab: 22a-b, SLB: 17

2 Ha: kuamba; Nab: kama

3 Nab, SLB: mbitimi

4 Nab: wendao

5 Nab: wendao

26. 1Kwa kupata pato la t̪ijara ♦ liso² shid̪a³ na mt̪angot̪ango⁴

Missing in Kn2; = Da: 7b, Ha: 13b, Kn1: 24, Mu: 25, Nab: 23a-b, SLB: 18

2 Nab: lisilo

3 Da, Ha, Mu: lisoshiba

4 Kn1: hawashibi na maji ya tango; Kn2 has a similar line that is only identical in the end-rhyme and which is not found in the other sources (31): wakacheza na mtangomtango

27. 1P’indi² sizo Liyongo akema³ ♦ akatuza moyo asi⁴ shingo⁵

= Da: 7c, Ha: 14a, Kn1: 25, Kn2: 25, Mu: 26, Nab: 20a-b, SLB: 15,16a

2 Ha: pindo

3 Ha, Kn1, Mu: akima; Nab: pindi Liyongo akima

4 Ha: usi

5 Kn1: shungo; Kn2 (25) has a different first half line not found in the other versions: na Liongo akaanza nyimbo. The second half line is missing completely.

28. 1Akatuza kimba² wasichana³ ♦ na waume wakangiya ringo4

Missing partly in Kn2; = Da: 7d, Ha: 14b, Kn1: 26, Kn2: 30, Mu: 27, Nab: 21a-b, SLB: 16b,17

2 Da, Kn1, Mu: kwimba

3 Nab: akatuza kipawa si chana; Kn2: wakaanza kwimba wasichana
This line is followed by (31): wakacheza na mtangomtango (see above line26)

4 Missing in Kn2

29. 1Wale wat’u² wot̪’e wakanena³ ♦ ndiyo ni⁴ mtend̪i⁵ Fumo si mwongo⁶

1 = Da: 8a, Ha: 15a, Kn1: 27, Kn2: 32,33,34, Mu: 28, Nab: 24a-b, SLB: 18,19a

2 Nab, SLB: kula mtu akanena

3 Kn2: wale watu wakanyema sana; the following line in K2 (33) repeats it: wale watu wote sana wakanyema

4 Ha: without ni

5 Kn2: yu mtenzi fumo

6 Kn1: yu mtenzi Maliki Liongo; Kn2: yu mtenzi fumo, si uongo

30. 1Ni mtend̪i Fumo ni mtend̪i ♦ ulijile mgoya² na t̪’ango3

Missing in Kn1+2; = Da: 8b, Ha: 15b, Mu: 29, Nab: 25a-b, SLB: 19b,20

2 Ha: mgunya; Mu: mngoya; Nab: upijishile mfunda na chango

3 SLB: [upijile mfupa na chanu]

31. 1Upijile mfupa na t’anu2 ♦ wenye kula wakazipa nyongo3

Missing in Kn1+2; = Da: 8c, Ha: 16a, Mu: 30, Nab: 26a-b, SLB: 20,21a

Nab: upijishile mfunda wa chambo

Ha: wakirambe bungo; Mu: wakiramba bungo; Nab: waye kula wakaraba bongo

32. 1Wenye² kula wakashiba mno ♦ shiba ya³ mtingotingo

Missing in Kn2; = Da: 8d, Ha: 16b, Kn1: 28, Mu: 31, Nab: 27a-b, SLB: 21b

2 Nab: waye

3 Ha: wakashiba ya; Kn1: shibeshibe; Nab, SLB: shiba njema ya

33. 1Bait̪ize arubaini pazid̪iye ♦ na mine2 miyongo

Missing in Kn1+2, Nab, SLB; = Da: 9a, Ha: 17a, Mu: 32

2 Ha: nami

34. 1Pazid̪iye na nne nambayo2 ♦ sahi³ sambe⁴ ni uwongo

Missing in Kn1+2, Nab, SLB; = Da: 9b, Ha: 17b, Mu: 33

2 Mu: na mbao

3 Mu: swali

4 Da: sambi

35. 1Salaamu aleikum twaani hii ♦ twaani hii shaha mekuya mwaoni2

1 Missing in Kn1+2, Nab, SLB; = Da: 10a, Ha: 18a, Mu: 35; in Da it is separated from the other stanzas under the title ‘Wimbo wa maringo’. Possibly, it is sung as a transition from one poem to the other poem below. This line and the following do not show the rhyme (kina) –ngo that runs throughout the poem.

2 Mu: muona

36. 1Shaha mekuya mwaoni² hii mwaoni ♦ nyut̪’e inukani nit̪

1 Missing in Kn1+2, Nab, SLB; = Da: 10b, Ha: 18b, Mu: 36;
Kn2 (28/29) has a similar content that appears in the context of line 18 (see above):

Inukani nyote chezeeni ♦ ingiani pamoya mwaoni

The poem ends with a line not found in the other sources (35/36):

Ndio mwisho wa changu kiungo ♦ nyote pamwe muwe na salama!

The same is true for Kn1 that ends as follows:

Na kukit̪wa wakala walima ♦ milima ya wali si uongo
Nikomile wimbo wa Liyongo ♦ bait̪ize ni tatu miongo

SLB has the following last lines:

[(?) yale, ya wenye kwenda zita ♦ nali nilele, karuka na kwanguwa uta
Mama mzazi fungu la nguo kakamata ♦ baba wendapi huyawa (huyuwa?) bora kuteta
Nilicha nende ni mwana tuwi nakamata ♦ nala kwa meno na kwa mayaa kiokota
Mashairi ya zamani sana haya ya Liyongo Fumo
(?) sana]

2 Mu: muone

 

Overview

New Da Ha Kn1 Kn2 Mu Nab SLB
1 1a 1a 1 1,2 1 1a,b 1a
2 1b 1b 2 3,4 2 2a,b 1b,2a,b
3 1c 2a 3 24 3 4a,b 3b,4a
4 1d 2b 4 19,20 4 5a,b 4b
5 2a 3a 5 21,22 5 6a,b 4b,5a
6 2b 3b 6 5,6 6 15a,7b 5b,6
7 2c 4a 7 11,12 7 3a,b 2c,3a
8 2d 4b 8 7,8 8
9 3a 5a 9 9,18 9 8a,b 6,7a
10 3b 5b 10 17,10 10 9a,b 7b,8a
11 3c 6a 11 13,14 11 13a,b 10b,11
12 3d 6b 12 15,16 12 14a,b 11
13 4a 7a 13 13 10a,b 8a
14 4b 7b 14 14 11a,b 8b,9
15 4c 8a 15 15 12a,b 9
16 4d 9b 16 26 16
17 5a 9a 17 26 17(a)
18 5b 18 27 17(b)
19 5c 10a 19 18 7a,15b 12
20 5d 10b 20 19 16a,18b 12,13a
21 6a 11a 21 20 17a,b 13b,14
22 6b 11b 22 21 18a,16b 14
23 6c 12a 23 22
24 6d 12b 23 19a,b 15
25 7a 13a 24 22a,b 17
26 7b 13b 24 25 23a,b 18
27 7c 14a 25   26 20a,b 15,16a
28 7d 14b 26 30 27 21a,b 16b,17
29 8a 15a 27 32,33,34 28 24a,b 18,19a
30 8b 15b 29 25a,b 19b,20
31 8c 16a 30 26a,b 20,21a
32 8d 16b 28 31 27a,b 21b
33 9a 17a 32

 

  1. Utumbuizo wa Liyongo Harusini

Dammann Collection (HS or 9898, Nr. 383, p. 54-55, State Library, Berlin)

 

 

New Da Ha Kn1 Kn2 Mu Nab SLB
34 9b 17b 33
35 10a 18a 35
36 10b 18b 28,29 36
  9c 8b     34    
      29        
      30        
        23      
        25      
        26,27 17    
        28-36      
              22
              23
              24
              25
              26

 

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UT̪UMBUIZO WA LIYONGO HARUSINI / LIYONGO AT THE WEDDING

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1.   Mringwari na T̪aikha Vuaye ♦ nd̪ooni hwitwa na Fumo Liyongo 1.   Come! Mringwari, Taikha, and Vuaye, you are called by Fumo Liyongo,
2.   Nd̪ooni hwitwa na Liyongo Fumo ♦ na nduguye shaha Bwana Mwengo 2.    you are called by Liyongo Fumo and his cousin, the master bard Bwana Mwengo.
3.  Mukak’et̪i yuu la uliliye[1] ♦ wakusanya wat̪ezi wa ringo 3.   Take your places on the ceremonial ulili[2], you, who select the graceful dancers
4.   Wakusanya wat̪ezi hiyari ♦ wayuwao kutunga zifungo 4.   you, who gather the best dancers, skilled in composing enigmatic verses,
5.   Wayuwao kufuwasa zina ♦ na kut̪eza kwa kumiya shingo[3] 5.   those who are masters of the art of rhyme and who dance elegantly with swaying necks.
6.   Hwitwa hima inukani mwende ♦ wat̪ukufu wana wa zitengo[4] 6.   Urgently called are you, arise and go, you nobles of high rank,
7.   Kuna gungu nyemi[5] za harusi ♦ humuoza umbule[6] Liyongo 7.   for there is joyous gungu dancing, Liyongo’s sister is being wed.
8.  P’indi sizo[7] wat’u wasiyakaa ♦ ukumbini kukawa kisongo 8.   At this time, before the nobles have taken (their places), the hall will be overcrowded.
9.  Na muchenda[8] vaani libasi ♦ mujifushe[9] na ungi wa mwingo[10] 9.   Arrive there well adorned in your fine attire, perfumed and censed with much fragrance.
10.   Mujipake na t̪wibu hiyari ♦ yalot̪uwa[11] kwa zema ziungo 10.   Put on choice scent made of the best ingredients,[12]
11.   Choshi[13] ni maambari na ud̪i ♦ fukizani nguo ziso ongo[14] 11.   treat your spotless clothes with the incense of ambergris and aloe-wood,
12.   Fukizani nguo za hariri ♦ na zisutu zisizo zit̪ango[15] 12.   treat your silken garments and finely made zisutu[16] clothes
13.   Pachori[17] na zafarani ♦ na zabad̪i[18] t̪wahara ya fungo[19] 13.   with patchouli and saffron and pure musk of the civet,
14.   Na zit̪o za karafuu ♦ t̪uliyani musitiwe t̪’ungo[20] 14.   and ground them with clove-buds, lest people criticise you,
15.   Na it̪iri[21] na kafuri haya ♦ ndiyo mwiso wa changu kiungo 15.   and (finally) add perfume and fine camphor to complete the ingredients.
16.   Na wambeja wa k’usi[22] na nyio[23] ♦ watwaeni wari kwa miyongo 16.   Come with elegant ladies, clapping and cheering, leading young girls in lines.
17.   Watwaeni mwende nao papo ♦ wapokee sabuka[24] kwa mwango 17.   Lead the young girls to be acclaimed in celebration by the welcoming group –
18.   Na walio wazuri wa miyo[25] ♦ kwa saut̪i njema ya mwango 18.   the girls with graceful necks and clear echoing voices.
19.    Hima hima inukani mwetwa ♦ limekuwa yeo wazi lango 19.   Come! Come! Rejoice! Today the door has been opened.
20.   Na za kupa t’uzo nimeweka ♦ t̪’umbit̪’umbi miyongo miyongo 20.   And I have kept ready the presents, numerous gifts, all arranged in tens –
21.   Fedhat̪i na k’owa za Hind̪i ♦ na mikufu ya kwawiya[26] shingo 21.   silver coins and Indian armlets, necklaces that richly cover the chest
22.   Na makapu makapu ya nguo ♦ ukumbini kwa Fumo Liyongo 22.   and several baskets of garments – [kept] in the great hall of Fumo Liyongo.
23.   P’indi sizo wat’u wakafika ♦ ukumbini kukawa kisongo[27] 23.   At this time people arrived, and the halls were overcrowded
24.   Wenye zimo zimo zikakuwa ♦ na wafupi wakinyowa[28] shingo 24.   with the tall folk on tip-toe, and the short ones straining their necks,
25.   Kula mt’u kamba ni nyemi ♦ wenda wima na wenda zijongo 25.   everyone agreeing that it is a joyful event both for the young and the old[29],
26.   Kwa kupata pato la t̪ijara ♦ liso shid̪a na mt̪angot̪ango 26.   obtaining the most befitting rewards without overstraining or tiring oneself.
27.   P’indi sizo Liyongo akema[30] ♦ akatuza moyo asi shingo[31] 27.   Then Liyongo arose, confident and self-assured
28.   Akatuza kimba wasichana ♦ na waume wakangiya ringo 28.   and, with poise, he started singing, while the maidens and young men danced around with grace.
29.   Wale wat’u wot̪’e wakanena ♦ ndiyo ni mtend̪i Fumo si mwongo 29.   And all those present said: Liyongo is a true man of action, not of empty words,
30.   Ni mtend̪i Fumo ni mtend̪i ♦ ulijile[32] mgoya[33] na t̪’ango[34] 30.   indeed, Fumo is a man of action, here he is, proud and ready to make a contribution.
31.   Upijile mfupa na t’anu[35]  ♦ wenye kula wakazipa nyongo[36] 31.   When Liyongo issued a challenge by beating the platter with a bone, people stopped eating, taken by surprise as they were.
32.   Wenye kula wakashiba mno ♦ shiba ya mtingotingo[37] 32.   Suddenly, the overwhelmed diners became satiated before time
33.   Bait̪ize arubaini pazid̪iye[38] ♦ na mine miyongo 33.   and the verses [recited by Liyongo] were forty with forty extra verses
34.   Pazid̪iye na nne nambayo ♦ sahi sambe ni uwongo 34.   and another four were added. What I say is true, say not that it is false.
35.   Salaamu aleikum twaani hii ♦ twaani hii shaha mekuya mwaoni 35.   Peace be upon you, receive my greetings, do receive my greetings, the master bard has come to the master dance,
36.   Shaha mekuya mwaoni hii mwaoni ♦ nyut̪’e inukani nit̪eze.

36.   the master bard has come to the master dance, ‘You get ready, so that I may start dancing.’

[1] kitanda chake.

[2] Bedstead on which the nobles sat during ceremonies

[3] kuchezesha shingo.

[4] vikao.

[5] furaha.

[6] dadake.

[7] wakati huo.

[8] mkienda.

[9] mjifukize.

[10] wingi wa manukato.

[11] iliyosagwa au iliyochuliwa.

[12]Alternative interpretation: Massage yourself with choice scent to make your limbs relax.

[13] moshi wa mafukizo.

[14] uchafu.

[15] viraka.

[16] Cloth with repetitive designs of dark red colour worn by women.

[17] aina ya manukato.

[18] aina ya manukato inayofanana na ambari.

[19] fungwa, pugi.

[20] kosa.

[21] mafuta mazuri.

[22] wanaopiga kofi.

[23] vigelegele.

[24] wakaribishaji wa waleta zawadi za bibi harusi.

[25] hodari wa kuchezesha shingo.

[26] kuenea.

[27] msongamano.

[28] wakinyosha.

[29]Lit.: for those who walk straight and those who walk with a stoop

[30] akasimama.

[31] bila ya kuweka shingo upande.

[32] alikuwa amekuja.

[33] mwenye fahari.

[34] mchango.

[35] kuzindua watu wamsikilize.

[36] wakaacha chakula ili wasikilize.

[37] shibe ya tumbo kujaa.

[38] pamezidi.

 

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UT̪UMBUIZO WA KIKOWA / THE KIKOWA MEAL

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Ut̪umbuizo wa Kikowa The Kikowa Meal[1]
1-   Pijiyani p’embe, vigomamle[2] na t̪’owazi[3] 1-   Strike for me the horns, the long drums and the cymbals,
2    T̪’eze na Mbwasho na K’undazi 2-   so that I may dance with Mbwasho and K’undazi.
3-   Pija muwiwa[4] k’umbuke mwana wa shangazi 3-   Strike, you who owe a debt (of Kikowa), so that I may remember (my) cousin.
4-  Yu wapi simba ezi li kana[5] mt̪embezi 4-   Where is the mighty lion?[6] He is like an inveterate wanderer!
5-  Fumo wa Shanga, sikiya, shamba, mitaa pwani 5-  Fumo of Shanga, reckon well, (roams) the land and the coastal areas.
6-  Fumo wa Shanga, chambiya Wat̪wa fungiyani? 6-  Fumo of Shanga asked the Watwa people: ‘Why are you putting me in fetters?’
7-   Fumo achamba mfungeni 7-  Fumo (Mringwari) ordered: ‘Tie him up!
8-   Kikaze miyo[7] nguo nawapa za kit̪wani 8-  Tighten (the knot) around his neck, and I will reward you with the turbans of honour,
9-   Mkatatiya na mikumbuu viunoni 9-   and fine waistbands to tie round your waists,
10-  Pamba vit̪ambi kamwinda huu manyikani 10-  and adorn you with wraps, so that you may go and hunt him in the wilderness,
11-   Wasi wa[8] shid̪a ila ye pweke manyikani 11-  where you will have no problems except (to capture) him.
12-  Kenda[9] wambiyeni kasit̪e yuu tumuwiyeni[10] 12-  When you go, I am telling you, lie in wait for him.[11]
13-  Yufit̪e nguuze[12] Kiunga shaka[13] la Boni 13-  He has hidden himself in the hills at Kiunga in the forest lands of the Boni.’
14-  K’ila t̪’apo nikila t̪ambuu na zipopoo za mwituni 14-   [Liyongo says] ‘[Since] I (only) eat t̪’apo[14] nuts, chew betel leaves and wild areca nuts,

[1] A meal given for a group; each member is required to reciprocate the invitation and hold his own kikowa.

[2] aina ya ngoma.

[3] matasa ya ngoma.

[4] anayedaiwa.

[5] alikuwa kama; alternative reading: (a)likaa na.

[6] Probably a sarcastic reference to Fumo Liyongo.

[7] shingo.

[8] wasiokuwa na.

[9] mkienda.

[10] tumvizieni.

[11] Alternative interpretation: make him pay his due (of kikowa).

[12] vilima vyake.

[13] chaka.

[14] Type of areca nut.

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UT̪UMBUIZO WA KIKOWA / THE KIKOWA MEAL – CRITICAL EDITION

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Sources:

Ha = Harries (1962: 176/177) ‘The Song of Shagga’

HH = Institute of Asian and African Studies Hamburg (ms 3552 H 117, in Arabic script) ‘Qala shairi’

Kn = Knappert (1979: 72 -73) ‘Song of Pursuit’

St = Steere (1870a: 448) incorporated in ‘Hadithi ya Liongo’

Tay = Taylor (ms 47754 SOAS in Arabic sript) ‘Qala shairi’

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1. ¹Pijiyani p’embe, vigomamle2 na t̪’owazi

¹ Missing in Kn, St; = Ha: 1b, HH: 1a-b, Tay: 1a

Ha, Tay: vikoma m(u)le

2.  ¹t̪’eze² na Mbwasho na K’undazi

¹ Missing in Kn, St; = Ha, HH: 1a, Tay: 1a-b

2 Ha: mtezi

3. ¹Pija² muwiwa k’umbuke mwana wa shangazi

¹ Missing in Kn, St; = Ha: 2a, HH: 1b-d,2a, Tay: 1b-d,2a,

2 Ha: mmbeja

4. ¹Yu wapi simba ezi li² kana³ mt̪embezi

¹ Missing in Kn, St; = Ha: 2b, HH: 2b-d, Tay: 2b-d

Ha: ali

³ Another reading could be (a)likaa na

5. ¹Fumo wa Shanga², sikiya, shamba³, mitaa pwani

¹ Missing in Kn, St; = Ha: 3a, HH: 2d-e,3a, Tay: 2d-e,3a

2 Ha: Shagga, HH: [shunga]

3 Ha, Tay: shabah

6. ¹Fumo wa Shanga², chambiya Wat̪wa fungiyani³?

¹ Missing in Kn, St; = Ha: 3b, HH: 3a-b, Tay: 3a-b

2 Ha: Shagga, HH: [shunga]

3 Ha: mfungiani; there is a corresponding line in Knappert’s ‘The Poor Man’s Song’ (1979: 73/74): Wakambiwa watwa mufungeni

7. ¹Fumo achamba mfungeni

¹ Missing in Ha, Kn, St; = HH: 3b-c, Tay: 3b-c

8. ¹Kikaze miyo² nguo nawapa za kit̪wani

¹ Missing in Kn, St; = Ha: 4a, HH: 4a-b, Tay: 4a-b

2 Ha: muwi

9. ¹Mkatatiya² na mikumbuu viunoni3

¹ Missing in Kn, St; = Ha: 4b, HH: 4b-c, Tay: 4c

2 HH, Ha: mkapatia

HH: [viuni]

10. ¹Pamba² vit̪ambi³ kamwinda huu4 manyikani

¹ Missing in St; = Ha: 5a, HH: 4b,5a, Kn: 1, Tay: 4c,5a

2 Kn: papa; Ha: papa

3 Ha: kitambi

4 Ha, Kn: kamwinde huo

11. ¹Wasi wa shid̪a2 ila ye pweke manyikani

¹ Missing in St; = Ha: 5b, Kn: 2, HH: 5a-b, Tay: 5a-b

Ha: washinda; Kn: la illaye awashinde

12. ¹Kenda² wambiyeni kasit̪e yuu tumuwiyeni³

¹ Missing in Kn, St; = Ha 6a, HH 5b,6a, Tay 5b,6a

2 Possibly: Chenda (?), but Tay does not allow this reading

3 Ha: tumuyeni; HH: [tuyiziye]

13. ¹Yufit̪e² nguuze³ kiunga4 shaka5 la Boni6

¹ Missing in Kn, St; = Ha: 6b, HH: 6a-b, Tay: 6a-b

2 Ha: ye yufite

3 Ha: ngozi; alternative reading: nguoze

4 Ha: kiyungwa (Ha: ‘ngozi kiyungwa, the locality of Kiungwa, now mapped as Kiongwe, to the immediate south of Ras Mtio’)

5 Ha: shake

6 Ha: buni

14. ¹K’ila t̪’apo nikila t̪ambuu na zipopoo² za mwituni

1 Missing in Kn, St; = Ha: 7a, HH: 6b,7a, Tay: 6b,7a

2 Ha: nikila tapo na zipopo

15. ¹K’ila t̪’eweyu2 tule kikowa al-sult̪wani³

¹ Missing in Kn, St; = Ha: 7b, HH: 7a-b, Tay: 7a-b

HH: [tiwiye]

3 Ha: wachamba kila tiwiye tule kikoa wa sisi al-sultani

16. ¹Wasi wa shamba hila kikowa t̪’alipani?²

¹ Missing in Kn, St; = Ha: 8a, HH: 7b,8a, Tay: 7b,8a

2 Ha: achamba hila kikoa mkata muno talipani

17. ¹Mkata muno ‘so koma bivu la ngaa[ni]²

¹ Missing in Kn, St; = Ha: 8b, HH: 8b-d, Tay: 8b-d

2 Ha: achamba tashukume wivu la ngaani

18. ¹Tule shaaye t’afuma wivu la ngaani²

¹ Missing in Kn; = Ha: 9a, St (p. 484), HH: 8d,9a, Tay: 8d,9a

2 Ha: tule cha yayi tafuma wivu la ngaani (see the line before); HH: [tule cha yayi likataye matangani]; cf. Steere (1870a: 448): tafuma wivu la angania, tule cha yayi; Tay: [tule cha yai likananiya matagaani]

19. ¹Kafuma ngaa² huyu si mtu yu nga jini³

¹ Missing in Kn,; = Ha: 9b, HH: 9a-b, St: (p.448), Tay: 9a-b

2 Ha: ngaa wachamba

3 Cf. a similar line in Knappert’s ‘The Song of the Poor Man’ (1979: 73/74): siye mtu ndiye kama jiini

20. ¹Liyongo Fumo hakufilika², hodari3 Liyongo kuuka4

¹ Missing in Kn; = Ha: 10, St (p. 448), HH: 9b-c,10a, Tay: 9b-c,10a

2 Ha: hukufilike; Tay: [hukufilika]

3 HH: [hadaani]

4 Ha: Liongo koka hudani; cf. Steere (1870a: 448):

Kukuingia hadaani Liongo fumo si mtu, ♦ yunga jini Liyongo okoka

 

Overview

New Ha HH Kn St Tay
1 1b 1a,b 1a
2 1a 1a 1a,b
3 2a 1b,c,d,2a 1b,c,d,2a
4 2b 2b,c,d 2b,c,d
5 3a 2d,e,3a 2d,e,3a
6 3b 3a,b 3a,b
7 3b,c 3b,c
8 4a 4a,b 4a,b
9 4b 4b,c 4c
10 5a 4b,5a 1 4c,5a
11 5b 5a,b 2 5a,b
12 6a 5b,6a 5b,6a
13 6b 6a,b 6a,b
14 7a 6b,7a 6b,7a
15 7b 7a,b 7a,b
16 8a 7b,8a 7b,8a
17 8b 8b,c,d 8b,c,d
18 9a 8d,9a p.448 8d,9a
19 9b 9a,b p.448 9a,b
20 10 9b,c,10a p.448 9b,c,10a
  8b        

 

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