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ISI NKE MBỤ	Chapitre I
ỌNỌDỤ M NA-AGBA M ANYA MMIRI	Ma situation me fait pleurer
« Kedụ mgbe ahụhụ a ga-ebi ? Ụwa m bụ ụwa ọsịsịọ. Kedụ ihe kpatara o jighị bụrụ ụwa anụrị dị ka nke ụmụaka ibe ndị ọzọ. Chukwu, ị hụkwara m n’anya ka i siri hụ ndị ọzọ ? O nwere ihe m mere ? Abụ m nwatakịrị mana ana m ata ahụhụ karịrị m. Ana m ajụ ma ụmụaka ndị ọzọ, ndị ahụ nne ha na nna ha na-apa ka akwa ọkụkọ, ndị ahụ ọ na-abụ tupu chi efo, a jụọ ha ihe ha ga-eri, ma ha hụrụ gị anya tupu i kee ha ? Ọnọdụ m na-agba m anya mmiri kwa ụtụtụ, kwa ehihie, kwa abalị. Chukwu, kedụ ihe kpatara i jiri kee ụmụaka ụfọdụ ha nọrọ n’elu na-aracha ụtụ, ebe ibe ha nọ n’ala na-aracha akpana ọkụkọ ? Biko zaa m ya ….. »	“Quand est-ce que cette souffrance prendra fin? Ma vie sur terre est si brève! Pourquoi ne m’a-t-elle pas apporté la joie comme à mes petits camarades ? Dieu, est-ce que tu m’aimes autant que les autres? Qu’est-ce que j’ai fait ? Je ne suis qu’un enfant, mais ma souffrance est insupportable. Je demande si les autres enfants, ceux que leur père et leur mère portent comme des œufs, ceux à qui on demande dès le matin ce qu’ils vont manger, est-ce qu’ils t’aimaient avant que tu ne les crées? Ma situation me fait pleurer tous les matins, tous les midis et tous les soirs. Dieu, comment se fait-il que tu aies créé certains enfants pour être tout en haut à lécher des fruits, pendant que leurs camarades sont par terre à lécher la fiente de volaille ? Je t’en prie, réponds-moi… »

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Okwu mmalite

Introduction

N’obodo ukwu anyị a nke bụ Naịjiria ọtụtụ obobo ozọ dị kwa nke nwere asụsụ  dị iche iche. Mgbe ụfọdụ  ndị na-asụ asụsụ n’olu Igbo na-eche na ọ dighị nwekọ nke ha na ndị Efik ma ọ bụ Yoruba ma ọ bụ Awụsa nwekọrọ. Ọ bụghị otu a, e wezụga nanị na ha na-asụ asụsụ n’olu dị iche, mmadụ nile bụ otu. Ha na-eche echiche n’otu ụzọ. Akuko ha nile na-eyirita ibe ha. Ụzọ nile ha si adị ndụ na ụzo nile ha sikwa akọwa ihe nile nke na-eme na ndụ ha bụkwa otu. Site na ime ihe dịkarịrị ike, ka ndị Igbo ji ezipụta na ha etoola dimkpa, otu a ka ọ dịkwa n’ebe nile. Akụkọ nke a bụ akụkọ banyere onye a na-akpọ Elelịa Ụkpabị na ihe dị iche iche nke o mere na ndụ ya.

Dans notre pays, le Nigeria, les différentes régions ont différentes langues. Parfois, ceux qui parlent igbo pensent qu’ils n’ont rien en commun avec les Efik, les Yoruba ou les Hausa. Ce n’est pas le cas, et en dépit du fait qu’ils parlent des langues différentes, tous les êtres humains sont les mêmes. Ils pensent de même. Toutes leurs histoires se ressemblent. La façon dont ils sont venus au monde et la façon dont ils expliquent les choses qui leur arrivent sont les mêmes. Du fait des difficultés qu’ils ont surmontées, les Igbo proclament qu’ils sont les plus vaillants, mais c’est la même chose partout. Cette histoire est celle de quelqu’un qui s’appelle Elelia Ukpabi et de tout ce qu’il a fait pendant sa vie.

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AGBA 1	CHAPITRE I
Asụsụ	LA LANGUE
1.1. Ntọala Ụtọasụsụ	1.1. Les débuts de la grammaire
Mgbe mmadụ bịara n’ụwa ka asụsụ ya bidoro. Asụsụ na omenala Igbo malitere mgbe ndị Igbo n’onwe ha bidoro. Otu a ka ọ dịkwa asụsụ ndị ọzọ dị ka Rọshịan, Jaman, Bekee, Spanishi, Frenchị na Swahili. Asụsụ ọ bụla nwere ụtọasụsụ. Ọ bụrụ na e detubeghị asụsụ ekwụrunọnụ obodo dị ka nke ederede, o gosịghị na obodo ahụ enweghị ụtọasụsụ. O gosịrị na obodo ahụ nwere ụtọasụsụ ma na e debeghị ya n’akwụkwọ. Ozugbo e deturu ekwurunọnụ ya, mata na o nweela ụtọasụsụ ederede. Tupu nke a emee, ihe o nwere bụ ụtọasụsụ ekwuruonọnụ.	C’est quand les humains sont arrivés sur terre que les langues ont commencé. La langue et la culture igbo ont commencé quand les Igbo eux-mêmes sont apparus. Ça a été la même chose pour les autres langues comme le russe, l’allemand, l’igede, l’anglais, l’espagnol, le français et le swahili. Toutes les langues ont une grammaire. Si on n’a pas mis la langue d’un pays par écrit, cela ne prouve pas que ce pays n’ait pas de grammaire. Cela montre que ce pays a une grammaire qui n’a pas été mise par écrit. Dès qu’on l’a mise par écrit, sachez que [ce pays] a une grammaire écrite. Avant cela, ce qu’il a, c’est une grammaire orale.

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OKWU MMALITE	INTRODUCTION
Onye pụtara ụwa a kwaa	En venant au monde, Il convient
Akwa ndidi yiri, n’ihi na onye	de coudre un vêtement de patience et de le porter, parce que celui
Sowe ihe ụwa n’ike, ọ laa n’ike.	qui poursuit la vie de toutes ses forces mourra rapidement.
Maka ọ bụ ndidi ka ebiogwu Ji amụ nwa.	C’est que la patience est ce qui permet de porter du fruit.
Ije ụwa dị ka ije agwọ, ọ gaa	Le voyage de la vie est comme celui du serpent,
N’ihu, ọ gaa n’azụ.	Il avance, il recule.
Onye kworo maka ọnwụnwa	Celui qui se décourage face aux épreuves
Na-abịara ya n’ụwa wee	Qui l’assaillent dans ce monde
Koropụ, o buru ọkụkụ ụzọ lakpuo ụra.	va se coucher avant les poules.
Mgbe ahụ ndị nọ ndụ ewere ya	Alors, ceux qui lui ont survécu
Mere ihe ọchị.	Se moqueront de lui.

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Mara tu baada ya kuvunja ungo, Yasmin aliozwa mume. Alikuwa mume wa jamii yake ya Ithnashiria ambaye alikuwa akiishi jirani naye hapo Mtendeni. Alikuwa ni mume asiyelingana naye hata kidogo. Si kwa umri wala tabia kwani wakati Yasmin ni kigoli wa miaka kumi na tano tu, mumewe Bwana Raza alikuwa zee la miaka hamsini na mbili. Wakati Bwana Raza keshazeeka, Yasmin alikuwa mtoto mbichi asiyeelewa kitu cho chote. Kukubali kwake kuolewa ilikuwa ni kwa sababu ya kuwaridhi wazee wake tu. Yeye mwenyewe hakuona fahari yo yote kuolewa na mzee anayeweza kumzaa.

Juste après l’apparition de ses premières règles, on trouva un mari à Yasmin. Il s’agissait un homme de sa communauté Ithnashiria, qui était son voisin dans le quartier de Mtendeni. C’était un mari qui ne lui ressemblait pas du tout. Ni par l’âge, ni par le caractère, parce que Yasmin n’était qu’une petite fille d’à peine quinze ans, alors que Bwana Raza était un vieillard de cinquante deux ans. Bwana Raza était déjà vieux, tandis que Yasmin était une fillette sans expérience. Elle avait accepté de se marier seulement pour satisfaire ses parents. Elle-même ne considérait pas comme un honneur le fait de se marier avec un homme qui aurait pu être son père.

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KUNA mengi ambayo Kazija anayachukia.	IL Y A beaucoup de choses que Kazija déteste.
Ndiyo, anachukia… Kwanza, anachukia mwanamme. Mwanamme anamchukia kwa sababu dhahiri, nayo ni kuwa ameekwa mbele, ingawa Kazija hajui na nani. Daima atamchukia mwanamme kwa sababu hiyo.	Oui, qu’elle déteste… En premier lieu, elle déteste l’homme. L’homme, elle le déteste pour une raison claire, il a été mis en avant, bien que Kazija ne sache pas par qui. Elle détestera toujours l’homme pour cette raison.
Pili, anaichukia nafsi yake – nafsi iliyolemaa na kuridhi siku zote kumpembejea mwanamme ambaye ni kiumbe kama yeye. Anachukia hali yake, anachukia jamii yake, anachukia, anachukia kila kitu, kila kitu…	Deuxièmement, elle déteste son âme – une âme mutilée et satisfaite de flatter tous les jours l’homme, qui est une créature humaine comme elle. Elle déteste sa condition, déteste sa communauté, déteste, déteste tout, tout…

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Mwinyi alikuwa ameketi chumbani kwake. Chini ya nyayo zake alikuwa amekanyaga zulia zuri ambalo thamani yake ingetosha kumfariji maskini kwa siku na miezi.	Mwinyi était assis dans sa chambre. Ses pieds étaient posés sur un joli tapis, dont la valeur aurait suffi pour soulager un homme indigent pendant des jours et des mois.
Hiki kilikuwa chumba alichopenda kupumzikia. Madirisha yake yakifungukia katika kitalu cha miti ya maua ya kupangilia, yenye kuchanua nyakati mbali mbali ili kubadili mandhari na harufu, ya mahali pale.	C’était la chambre où il aimait se reposer. Ses fenêtres s’ouvraient sur une pépinière de plantes à fleurs sélectionnées pour fleurir à différents moments, afin de changer l’aspect et le parfum de ce lieu.

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Ndaa nga, ndaa nga, ndaa nga !	Le voici, le voici, le voici !
Ndaa nga, ilam waddi nga !	Le voici, c’est la crue qui l’a apporté !
Ndaa nga, Alla hokki nga !	Le voici, c’est Dieu qui l’a donné !
Ndaa nga, ilam waddi nga !	Le voici, c’est la crue qui l’a apporté !
Giɗɗo nga, fina laara nga !	Que celui qui l’aime s’éveille et le voie !
Ganyɗo nga, fina suukoo !	Que celui qui le hait s’éveille et aille au diable !
Giɗɗo nga, fina laara nga !	Que celui qui l’aime s’éveille et le voie !
Ganyɗo nga, fina suukoo !	Que celui qui le hait s’éveille et aille au diable !
Ndaa nga, ndaa nga, ndaa nga !	Le voici, le voici, le voici !
Ndaa nga, Alla hokki nga !	Le voici, c’est Dieu qui l’a donné !
Ndaa nga, ilam waddi nga !	Le voici, c’est la crue qui l’a apporté !
Giɗɗo nga, fina laara nga !	Que celui qui l’aime s’éveille et le voie !
Ganyɗo nga, yewa daande !	Que celui qui le hait se brise le cou !
Ndaa nga, ndaa nga, ndaa nga !	Le voici, le voici, le voici !
Daarɗo nga, gite nduɗɗitoo !	Celui qui l’aime, que ses yeux se révulsent !
Caliiɗo !	Celui qui refuse !
Daarɗo nga, gite nduɗɗitoo !	Celui qui l’aime, que ses yeux se révulsent !
Cappiiɗo nga, koolel yewa !	Celui qui le pointe du doigt, que son petit doigt se brise !
Ndaa !	Voilà !

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All the sources follow the Swahili oral tradition in attributing this poem to Liyongo. The following is a version reconstructed from 14 different sources, both in Arabic and Roman script. An oral, tape-recorded source from ‘Sauti ya Mvita’ was also used which contained the voices of a soloist and chorus. It narrates Liyongo’s imprisonment and his daring, heroic escape. The metre is mostly regular and is of the 6:4:5 pattern, except for a few lines. But the end-rhyme is consistent.

1.  Kiyakazi Sad̪a ♦ nakutuma ♦ huyatumika	1.  Kiyakazi Sada, my dear girl, I am about to send you on an errand you have not undertaken before.
2.  Kamwambile[1] mama ♦ ni muyinga ♦ siyalimka[2]	2.  Tell my mother, so far I have been naive, not realising there was a way out (of this agony).
3. Afanye mkate ♦pale kati ♦ t̪upa kaweka	3.  Tell her to make a loaf of bread, and to place a file in the middle of it,
4.  Nikereze p’ingu ♦ mand̪akozi[3] ♦ yakaniuka[4]	4. so that I may cut through the handcuffs[5] and remove the shackles and chains from my neck.
5.  Pano[6] k’akund̪uwa ♦ mand̪akozi ♦ yuu k’aruka	5.  Having broken them loose, I will jump high.
6. Nit’at’ate[7] k’uta ♦ na mad̪ari ♦ yakiukuka[8]	6. I will scale the walls, making ceilings crumble,
7.  Ningile ondoni[9] ♦ nitambae ♦ ja mwana nyoka	7.  crawling on my knees, and moving stealthily like a young snake.
8. K’ateleze nd̪e ♦ kama kozi ♦ k’at̪oroka	8.  I will glide away like an eagle, and make good my escape,
9. Yuu la k’onde ♦ jangwa p’wani ♦ k’it̪iririka	9.  going across the field, the beaches and sandy plains.
10.  Ningile muyini ♦ ningurume ♦ ja simba buka[10]	10.  Then I will enter the town roaring like a fierce lion,
11.  Niwane[11] na wawi[12] ♦ wake na  wana ♦ wawe mateka	11.  fighting the evil people and taking captives women and children,
12. Ayut̪e ad̪ui ♦ waliyao ♦ wawe hut̪eka	12.  so that the enemy may regret and those who were crying may rejoice.
13.  Suu[13] ndio mwiya[14] ♦ enda wima[15] ♦ upate fika	13.  Now is the time! Make haste so that you may arrive.
14. Wala siliwaye[16] ♦ moyo  t̪owa[17] ♦ kuajizika	14.  Take this errand seriously; do not tarry nor should you have any doubts in your heart.
15. Nali[18] mti pweke ♦ nimezee[19] ♦ katika nyika	15.  Like a lone tree, I was deserted in the wilderness
16.  Si nduu si mbasi ♦ nimeziye ♦ kuwak’upuka[20]	16. having neither kinsmen nor friends; what a desperate fugitive I have become!
17.  Nduu ali mame ♦ uwasiwe[21] ♦ kwenda kiitika	17.  The only kin left is my mother who could respond to my call:
18.  Mwambiye apike ♦ t̪upa kati ♦ wishwa[22] kaweka	18.  Tell her to make a loaf of chaff and place a file in it.

[1] kamwambie.

[2] sijaerevuka.

[3] pingu la chuma la shingoni.

[4] yakiniondoka.

[5] Probably, mandakozi does not mean ‘eagle’ as proposed by Werner but designates a shackle worn around the neck.

[6] hapa.

[7] niparamie.

[8] yakianguka, yakiporomoka.

[9] nipige magoti.

[10] simba mkali.

[11] nipigane.

[12] wabaya.

[13] huu.

[14] wakati.

[15] fanya haraka.

[16] usichelewe.

[17] acha.

[18] nilikuwa.

[19] nimemea.

[20] nimekwisha kuwaepuka.

[21] amebaki.

[22] makapi.

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Sources:

AA = Abdilatif Abdalla (1990: 59) ‘Utumbuizo wa Kijakazi Sada’

Ha = Harries (1962: 60-61), incorporated in the ‘Utendi wa Liongo’

Hi = Hichens (ms 205000, p. 57-58 & 210013 SOAS, typed) ‘The Song to Saada’, (ms 210013 SOAS, typed) ‘Kala Liongo Fumo’

Kn = Knappert (1979: 91-92) ‘The Song of Sada’

Mu = Mulokozi (1999: 58) ‘Wimbo wa Kijakazi Saada’

Mvi = Sauti ya Mvita 1952 (ms, typed) ‘Kijakazi Sada’

Nab1 = Ahmed Nabahany (ms, typed) untitled

Nab2 = Ahmed Nabahany (ms in Arabic script) ‘Qala Liyongo Fumo’

Nas = Ahmad Nassir (ms, typed) untitled

NSh = Noor Shariff (1988: 54) untitled

St = Steere (1870a: 442, 443) incorporated in the ‘Hadithi ya Liongo’

Wer1 = Werner (1927: 48), identical to Werner (1926/28: 254-255) untitled

Wer2 = Werner (1926/28: 253) untitled

Sac = quotes from Sacleux’ ‘Dictionnaire swahili – français’ (1939: 474, 342, 582, 177, 874).

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1. ¹Kiyakazi Sad̪a² ♦ nakutuma ♦ huyatumika³

¹ This line is the first one in all the versions, except Wer2 which starts with the following lines:

Liongwe Fumo, endapo Gana
Twaa nami, Liongwe Fumo

² Ha, Hi, Mu, Nab2, St: ewe kiyakazi (kijakazi)

³ Nab1: nakutuma tumika; St: uwatumika; Wer1: nakuchuma huyatumika; Wer2: huyatumika maneno yangu 

2.  ¹Kamwambile² mama³ ♦ ni muyinga⁴ ♦ siyalimka⁵

¹ = Ha: 1b, Nab2: 1b, Sac (p.474), Wer2: 5,6

² AA, Ha, Hi, Kn, Mu, Nab1, Nab2, NSh, St, Wer2: -iye ~ -iya

³ Mvi, Nab2: nana

⁴ Nab2: muwinga; Sac: u muinga

⁵ Sac: huyalimka; with the exception of Nab1, NSh, St, all the other versions: haja~hayalim(u)ka; Kn: nenda kamwambia yangu mama hayalimuka; Wer2: nenda kwa mama, kamwambie

3.  ¹Afanye mkate² ♦ pale kati³ ♦ t̪upa kaweka⁴

¹ = Ha: 2a, Nab2: 2a, Sac (p.342), Wer2: 6,7

² AA: apike; Tay, Ha: mukate; Wer1: hafanyie; Wer2: Afanye mkate buruburosa. Werner (1926/28: 253) gives the following explanation: ‘Buruburosa was said by Mzee and Muhamadi Kijuma to be a mere nonsense-word; but the Sultan of Witu (the late Omar bin Hamid), who was present, recognized it as an old word for wishwa, ‘bran’, the husks of maize after pounding – in Zanzibar Swahili also chachu, the word used in Steere though Madan’s Dictionary gives its meaning as ‘yeast’ or ‘leaven’.’

³ Kn: mle ndani

⁴ Kn: tupe; Wer2: na ndani ya mkate atie tupa

4.  ¹Nikereze² p’ingu ♦ mand̪akozi³ ♦ yakaniuka⁴

¹ = Ha: 2b, Nab2: 2b, Sac (p.342), Wer2: 8

² Wer1: kakeleza; Kn: k’akereze; Ha, Hi, Mu, Sac, St: nikeze; Wer1: nikakereza

³ AA, Ha, Hi, Mu, Mv, Nab1, Nab2, Nas, NSh: na minyoo; Kn: miguuni; all the other versions (except Wer1 and Wer2): minyoo

⁴ AA, Ha, Hi, Mv, Nab2, Nas: ikinem(u)ka; Nab1, NSh: isonemka; Kn, Mu: ikaniuka; Wer1: ya kaniuka; Wer2: ninolee pingu zangu zilo maguuni

5.  ¹Pano² k’akund̪uwa³ ♦ mand̪akozi ♦ yuu⁴ k’aruka

¹ Missing in AA, Ha, Hi, Mv, Nab2, Nas, St, Wer1, Wer2; = Kn: 6, Mu: 8, Nab1: 8, NSh: 8

² Mu: panu; Nab1: pato

³ Nab, Kn: k’akundue

⁴ Kn: iu

6.  ¹Nit’at’ate² k’uta ♦ na mad̪ari³ ♦ yakiukuka⁴

¹ Missing in Wer2; = AA: 5, Ha: 3a, Hi: 5, Kn: 9, Mu: 5, Mvi: 5, Nab1: 5, Nab2: 3a, Nas: 5, NSh: 5, Sac (p. 874), Wer1: 5

²AA, Mvi: nipande; Nas: niparage; Ha, Hi, Mu, Nab2: nitatage; Sac, St: tatange; Wer1: katata

³ AA, Mvi, St, Sac: madari na makuta; Nas, Wer1: dari na makuta

⁴ AA, Mvi: yakipomoka; Ha, Hi, Mu, Nab2, Nas: yakiyekuka; Sac, Wer1: kija metuka; kijamtuka; St: kuno kimeta; Sac: kuno meta; Kn: madari ya muyi na makuti yakapomoka.

The concept of kumetameta comes back in the version of Kn in a different context that is not found in other versions: Ningie yangani mawinguni kijametuka.

7.  ¹Ningile² ondoni ♦ nitambae³ ♦ ja mwana nyoka⁴

¹ Missing in Kn, Wer1, Wer2; = AA: 7, Ha: 4a, Hi: 7, Mu: 10, Mvi: 7, Nab1: 10, Nab2: 4a, Nas: 6, NSh: 10, Sac (p. 177), St: 5

² AA, Ha, Hi, Mu, Mvi, Nab1, Nab2, NSh, Sac, St: ningiye

³ Ha, Hi, Mu, NSh, Nab1, Nab2, Nsh: ninyepee; Sac and St: ninyinyirike

⁴ The concept of mwana nyoka is put in a completely different context in Wer1,   where it is given at the end of the poem: Cha mwana nyoka waume kaua.

The idea of killing men as we find it here can also be found in other versions, where this line immediately follows line 6 above, see also line 11:

Ha (3b), Hi (6): Niue rijali nao wakiwana hiteka
Nab1(6), Nab2 (3b): Niuwe rijali na wake wana hiteka
Mu, NSh (6): Niuwe rijali wake wana nikiwateka
After this line 7, AA and Mvi give the following two lines that are not found in the other versions:

Nipige mrembe msemao (Mvi: muimbao) kiuandika
Niwe kati mwao hiwegema wakinepuka

In Sac another text follows, likewise not found in the other sources:

kivuma dya mwamka… uwe dya namiri…

8.  ¹K’ateleze² nd̪e♦ kama kozi ♦ k’at̪oroka³

¹ Missing in AA, Ha, Hi, Mvi, Nab2, Nas, St, Wer1, Wer2; = Kn: 5, Mu: 7, Nab1: 7, NSh: 7

² Mu, NSh: k’at̪okeze; Nab1: katoka

³ Mu, Nab1, NSh: nikatoroka

9.  ¹Yuu² la k’onde³ ♦ jangwa⁴ p’wani ♦ k’it̪iririka⁵

¹ Missing in AA, Ha, Hi, Mvi, Nab2, Nas, St, Wer1, Wer2; = Kn: 8, Mu: 9, Nab1: 9, NSh: 9

² Kn: iu

³ Kn: maondo

⁴ Kn: nijangwa

⁵ Kn: kidiririka; cf. Wer1(6): kangia muini kadiririka

10.  ¹Ningile² muyini³ ♦ ningurume ♦ ja⁴ simba buka⁵.

¹ Missing in Kn, Nab1, NSh, St, Wer2; = AA: 6, Ha: 4b, Hi: 8, Mu: 11, Mvi: 6,10 Nab2: 4b, Nas: 7, Wer1: 6

² AA, Ha, Hi, Mvi, Nab2: ningi(y)e

³ Ha, Hi, Mu, Nab2: mwituni; AA, Mvi: shakani; Wer1: kangia muini kadiririka

⁴ Nas: nga

⁵ Mvi, Nab2: mwana simba

11.  ¹Niwane na wawi² ♦ wake na wana ♦ wawe mateka³

¹ Missing in Kn, St, Wer1, Wer2; = AA: 10, Ha: 3b, Hi: 6, Mu: 6, Mvi: 10, Nab1: 6, Nab2: 3b, Nas: 8, NSh: 6

² Mvi: ningie mjini (cf. line 10)

³ Ha, Hi: Niue rijali nao wakiwana hiteka; Mu, NSh: Niuwe rijali wake wana nikiwateka; Nab1: Niuwe rijali na wake wana hiteka; Nab2: Niuwe rijali na wake wana hiteka

After this line, Mvi ends with the following:

Nit̪ind̪e hit̪ind̪a nihimize wangu mtima

12.  ¹Ayut̪e ad̪ui ♦ waliyao ♦ wawe hut̪eka

¹ With the exception of Nas (9), missing in all other sources

13.  ¹Suu ndio mwiya ♦ enda wima ♦ upate fika

¹ With the exception of Nas (10), missing in all other sources

14.  ¹Wala siliwaye ♦ moyot̪owa ♦ kuajizika

¹ With the exception of Nas (11), missing in all other sources; the poem then ends with the following line:

Hamuwezi kwima liushapo wimbi Ungama

Exactly the same line introduces Mvi, where it also appears as refrain.

15.  ¹Nali mti pweke ♦ nimezee² ♦ katika nyika

¹ Missing in Kn, Mvi, Nas, St, Wer1, Wer2; = AA: 11, Ha: 5a, Hi: 9, Mu: 12, Nab1: 11, Nab2: 5a, NSh: 11

² Hi, Nab2: nimiziye; AA, Ha, Mu: nimeziye

16.  ¹Si nduu si mbasi² ♦ nimeziye³ ♦ kuwak’upuka⁴

¹ Missing in Kn, Mvi, Nas, St, Wer1, Wer2; = AA: 12, Ha: 5b, Hi: 10, Mu: 13, Nab1: 12, Nab2: 5b, NSh: 12

² Nab1: mbazi

³ Hi: nimiziye

⁴ Ha, Hi: kukupuka; Nab2: [kukumbuka]

17.  ¹Nduu ali mame² ♦ uwasiwe³ ♦ kwenda⁴ kiitika⁵

¹ Missing in AA, Kn, Mvi, Nas, St, Wer1, Wer2; = Ha: 6, Hi: 11, Mu: 14, Nab1: 13, Nab2: 6a, NSh: 13

² NSh: alimeme

³ Ha, Hi, Nab2: awasiwe; NSh: uwasiye

⁴ Could also be read as kind5a, as in Ha, Hi, Mu, Nab1, NSh

⁵ Ha, Hi, Mu: kwitika; Nab2: kicheka.

After this line, Hi and Nab2 add the following as last line which is not mentioned in the other sources:

Esiwe Mola na sahaba na malaika

Hi remarks: ‘Ms has this line modernly added’ (Ms 210013, p. 23)

18.  ¹Mwambiye apike² ♦ t̪upa kati ♦ wishwa kaweka

¹ Missing in AA, Ha, Hi, Mu, Mvi, Nab2, Nas, St, Wer1, Wer2; = Kn: 10, Nab1: 14, NSh: 14

² Kn: kupika; Nab1: apike mkate

Overview

New	AA	Ha	Hi	Kn	Mu	Mvi	Nab1	Nab2	Nas	NSh	St	Wer1	Wer2	Sac
1	1	1a	1	1	1	1	1	1a	1	1	1	1	3,4	–
2	2	1b	2	2	2	2	2	1b	2	2	2	2	5,6	p.474
3	3	2a	3	3	3	3	3	2a	3	3	3	3	6,7	p.342
4	4	2b	4	4	4	4	4	2b	4	4	4	4	8	p.342
5	–	–	–	6	8	–	8	–	–	8	–	–	–	–
6	5	3a	5	9	5	5	5	3a	5	5	6	5	–	p.874
7	7	4a	7	–	10	7	10	4a	6	10	5	–	–	p.177
8	–	–	–	5	7	–	7	–	–	7	–	–	–	–
9	–	–	–	8	9	–	9	–	–	9	–	–	–	–
10	6	4b	8	–	11	6,10	–	4b	7	–	–	6	–	–
11	10	3b	6	–	6	10	6	3b	8	6	–	–	–	–
12	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	9	–	–	–	–	–
13	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	10	–	–	–	–	–
14	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	11	–	–	–	–	–
15	11	5a	9	–	12	–	11	5a	–	11	–	–	–	–
16	12	5b	10	–	13	–	12	5b	–	12	–	–	–	–
17	–	6	11	–	14	–	13	6a	–	13	–	–	–	–
18	–	–	–	10	–	–	14	–	–	14	–	–	–	–
	8					8
	9					9
		3b	6		6		6	3b		6
				7
				9
						10
						11
								6b
						X			12
												6
												7
													1
													2
													4
													5
													6
													7
													8

X = chorus

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Onye ọma alawa	Une bonne personne est partie
Iyo iyo iyo	Iyo iyo iyo[1]
Ọ dị ka bewe akwa	On a envie de pleurer
Iyo iyo iyo	Iyo iyo iyo
Ụmụ nna eliwe ya	Sa parenté paternelle[2]
Iyo iyo iyo	Iyo iyo iyo
Ọnụma eju ha obi	L’a enterré(e)
Iyo iyo iyo	Iyo iyo iyo
Cha-Ho-ho-ho !	Cha-ho-ho-ho!
Ọkarafọ ka anyị na-achọ-o.	C’est Okorafor que nous cherchons
Nzema Nze	Nzema nze
Ọkarafọ ka anyị na-achọ-o.	C’est Okorafor que nous cherchons
Nzema Nze	Nzema nze
Chọwa ya	Cherchez-le![3]

[1] Le chant est ici structuré sur le modèle de tous les chants collectifs, le leader lançant le chant et l’assistance chargée du répons, généralement une succession de sons sans signification particulière autre qu’un bruit, assimilé ici aux gémissements.

[2] C’est la parenté du côté de la famille paternelle qui est responsable des funérailles dans cette société majoritairement patriarcale. Le disparu est ici un homme.

[3] La coutume veut que, pendant les veillées mortuaires qui précèdent l’enterrement et les funérailles et rassemblent la communauté du mort, la famille et les amis parcourent les rues avoisinantes, armés de branchages et portant un agrandissement encadré de la photo du mort, mimant une recherche censée tenter de découvrir où il s’en est allé.

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Opune isi	Fontanelle
Turu m nwa ka o laru	Fais-moi dormir l’enfant
Ngologo ngo	Ngololo ngo
Mgbe aro	Dans un an,
M nye gi oru ukwu n’ise	Je te donnerai 25 000 cauris
Ngololo ngo	Ngololo ngo
Opune isi	Fontanelle
Turu m nwa ka o laru	Fais-moi dormir l’enfant
Ngologo ngo	Ngololo ngo
Mgbe aro	Dans un an,
M nye gi oru ukwu n’ise	Je te donnerai 25 000 cauris
Ngololo ngo	Ngololo ngo

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Ilu	Un proverbe
UCHEMADỤ na Onyechi na-eme enyi na-akpakọkwa ụrị. Onyechi gaa n’ụlọ Uchemadụ o rie ihe, taa anụ, nụọkwa manya. Mgbe ọ na-aga ịla nwunye Uchemadụ enye ya ihe ọ ga-eke ụmụ ya. Ma ọ bụrụ na Uchemadụ aga n’ụlọ Onyechi ọ dịghi ihe ọ ga-eri. Nwunye Onyechi agaghi enye ya miri ka ọ nụọ ma ọ dịghi rịọ ya.	Uchemadu [la sagesse humaine] et Onyechi [celui que son dieu bénit][1] étaient de très bons amis. Quand Onyechi allait chez Uchemadu, il mangeait de la viande et d’autres choses, et buvait du vin. Quand il partait, la femme d’Uchemadu lui donnait quelque chose pour ses enfants. Mais quand Uchemadu allait chez Onyechi, il n’y avait rien à manger. La femme d’Onyechi ne lui donnait même pas d’eau à boire, sauf s’il le lui demandait.
Otu ụbọchị nwunye Uchemadụ ajụọ di ya uru enyi ya na Onyechi bara. ‘Kwa ụbọchị ọ bịa rie, nụọ. A ga n’ụlọ ya ọ dịghi ihe ọ ga-wepụta. Ọ bụdị nanị ya na-azụ ụmụ ?’ Ihe a juru Uchemadụ anya, meekwa ka o che echiche banyere ya. O kwuisie, sị nwunye ya na ọ dị ebe ya na Onyechi na-aga ta a. Ọ tụgharịa, sị nwa ya nọ ya n’akụkụ, ‘Gaa kaara Ori nga Ịragha, Ịragha erighi nga ya, bịa ka anyị gawa.’ Nwanta ahụ agbara ọsọ gaa n’ụlọ Onyechi, sị ya na nna ya sịrị ya ka ọ gwa ya, ‘Ori nga Ịragha, Ịragha erigh nga ya, gị bịa ka ha gawa.’ Onyechi asị ya, ‘Ọ dị mma nwa m. Ga gwa nna gị, ‘Onye a na-echere na-amaghi na a na-echere ya, na mụ abịawala.’	Un jour, la femme d’Uchemadu a demandé à son mari quelle était l’utilité de son amitié avec Onyechi. « Tous les jours, il vient manger et boire. Quand on va chez lui, il ne nous présente jamais rien. Est-ce qu’il est le seul à avoir des enfants à élever? » Ça a frappé Uchemadu et l’a fait réfléchir. Après, il a dit à sa femme qu’il allait se rendre quelque part avec Onyechi ce jour-là. Il s’est ensuite tourné vers son enfant, qui était à ses côtés, et lui a dit: « va dire à ‘Celui qui mange chez autrui mais autrui ne mange pas chez lui’ de venir me rejoindre. »[2] Cet enfant a couru jusque chez Onyechi et lui a dit que son père lui avait demandé de lui dire : « ‘celui qui mange chez autrui mais autrui ne mange pas chez lui’, viens qu’on aille. » Onyechi lui a répondu: « Bien, mon enfant. Va dire à ton père, ‘Celui à qui on pense mais qui ne sait pas qu’on pense à lui’, que j’arrive. »

[1] En igbo, tous les noms ont un sens. On a là un bel exemple du nom personnel utilisé comme proverbe et enchâssé dans un proverbe développé et utilisé comme base du conte – plutôt une anecdote dans ce cas.

[2] Les enfants sont traditionnellement chargés de porter les messages.

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MMIRI	ELOGE DE L’EAU
Ọ bụrụ na ị dịghị	Si tu n’existais pas
Ihe niile na-eku ume	Tout ce qui respire
Gaara anwucha	Mourrait.
E mee n’elu	Dans les cieux
Mmiri	Il y a l’eau
E mee n’ala	Sur terre
Mmiri	Il y a l’eau.
Mmiri	Eau,
Mmadụ anụghị gị	Si les êtres humains ne te buvaient pas
Akpịrị akpọọ ya nkụ	Ils souffriraient de la soif
Onye ahụ amịkpọọ	Et se dessècheraient complètement.
Osisi na ahịhịa dị n’ọhịa	Si les arbres et l’herbe des champs
Amịtaghị gị	Ne te suçaient pas,
Ha akpọnwụchaa	Ils se dessècheraient complétement.
Ihe oriri a kọrọ n’ubi	Et les plantations des champs,
Sikwanụ gị gịnị ?	Qu’en dis-tu?
Ọ bụrụ na i rughị ha aka	Si tu ne les aidais pas,
Ha atụnwụchaa.	Elles se faneraient.
Ihe ọ bụla ruru inyi	Tout ce qui est sale,
Bụ gị	C’est toi
Ka e ji agbọ ya ntị	Qu’on utilise pour le nettoyer.
Ihe chakarịa ọkụ	Même ce qui brûle le plus
Ọ hụ gị	Te voit
Ọ dajụọ	Et se calme.
Na uzuzu na-awa anya	Et le sable insolent
Abụghị maka gị	N’est rien pour toi
N’ihi	Parce que
Na ị na-eme ya	Tu le traites
Ihe ị na-eme ọkụ	Comme tu traites le feu.

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IJE ODUMODU JERE P.51 (Fin du roman, orthographe standard)	LES VOYAGES D’ODUMODU P.51 (Fin du roman)
Mgbe m ruru ulo, ndi okenye no n’ebe ahu, ndi maara m agbapuchaa hapuru m ulo, n’ihi na ha chere si m bu mmuo. Ha niile chere si na m nwuola, n’ihi na o teela anya oge m hapuru ulo. Otu onye obi siri ike laghachiri, nyoo anya n’ime ulo, hu m nga m no. Ha dum gbara bia mgbe ha huru na o dighi ihe m mere onye ahu. Ha amarala ugbu a si m bu Odumodu onye ije na o dighi mmuo m bu. Ha niile agbakogide m. Ala Ahaba meturu mkpotu ubochi ahu. Ndi okenye maara m mbu na ndi umu ntakiri na-anu aha m gbarabia ihu m. Oke onu di n’obi mmadu dum nke ka nke umunna m ndi tufuchara obi ha si na m nwuola.	Quand je suis arrivé à la maison, les vieux qui se trouvaient là, ceux qui savaient que j’étais parti, m’ont laissé seul à la maison, parce qu’ils pensaient que j’étais un esprit. Tous pensaient que j’étais mort, du fait que j’avais quitté la maison depuis si longtemps. Quelqu’un de plus courageux est revenu, a jeté un coup d’œil dans la maison, et m’a vu circuler. Tous sont revenus quand ils ont vu que je ne lui avais pas fait de mal. C’est alors qu’ils ont compris que j’étais bien Odumodu le voyageur et que je n’étais pas un esprit. Ils m’ont tous entouré. Ça a fait du bruit à Ahaba ce jour-là. Les vieux qui m’avaient connu et les enfants qui avaient entendu parler de moi sont venus me voir. Tous les gens étaient très heureux, surtout mes frères, qui avaient abandonné l’espoir de me revoir vivant.
M jiri ufo ego m wuo ulo, were ufo dotere umu m. Ndi ala anyi agbakota ma tikota onu si na ha ga-ekpuwe m okpu eze otu m ga-achekota ha. Atumatu nke a masiri m n’ihi na m maara si o bu ihe ruru m site n’aka nna m. Ubochi e kpuwere m okpu ahu bu ibochi mmadu agaghi echefu n’ala Ahaba. Ndi Bekee na ndi eze na otutu ogaranya no n’Onitsha na otutu obodo ozo di Ahaba nso biara n’ino n’oge ha ga-ekpuwe m okpu.	J’ai pris une partie de mon argent pour construire une maison, et j’en ai laissé une autre partie pour mes enfants. Les gens de chez nous se sont rassemblés et ont décidé à l’unanimité de me faire chef pour les avoir rassemblés. Cette idée m’a plu parce que je savais que c’était ce que j’avais hérité de mon père. Le jour où j’ai été intronisé, personne ne l’oubliera à Ahaba. Les Blancs, les chefs et plusieurs riches d’Onitsha et d’autres villes voisines d’Ahaba sont venus ce jour-là.

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

¹ = HH, Tay: 1a-b

² HH: missing; Kn: kasikiye

2. ¹Kasikiya Fumo yu² mkenge^{3 ♦} mwenda⁴ Gana ♦ yuu la namiri⁵

¹ = HH, Tay: 1c,2a

² 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 moto^2 ♦ si kiumbe ♦ huyule ni nari³

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

² 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	–

 

 

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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.

[/av_one_full]

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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

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

² 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

¹ = 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

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

² Nab, SLB: wak’et̪iye

³ Da, K1: yiu

⁴ 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

¹ = 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

¹ = 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

¹ = 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

¹ = 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

¹ 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

¹ = Da: 3a, Ha: 5a, Kn2: 9,18, Nab: 8a-b, SLB: 6,7a

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

³ Kn1: unga

⁴ Da, Ha: mengo; Nab: mwengo

10. ¹Mujipake nat̪wibu hiyari² ♦  yalot̪uwa³ kwa zema ziungo⁴

¹ = Da: 3b, Ha: 5b, Kn2: 17,10, Nab: 9a-b, SLB: 7b,8a

² 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

¹ = 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

¹ = Da: 3d, Ha: 6b, Kn2: 15-16, Nab: 14a-b, SLB: 11

² Kn2: jivishani

³ Mu: zisuta

⁴ Nab: ziso

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

¹ 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

¹ 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

¹ 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

¹ 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

¹ 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

¹ 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

¹ 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

¹ 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

¹ 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. ¹Na² makapu makapu ya nguo³ ♦ ukumbini kwa Fumo Liyongo⁴

¹ 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

¹ Missing in Kn2, Nab, SLB; = Da: 6c, Ha: 12a, Mu: 22

² Mu: pinde ziso

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

¹ 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

¹ 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

¹ 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

¹ = 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

¹ 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

¹ 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’anu^{2 ♦} wenye kula wakazipa nyongo³

¹ Missing in Kn1+2; = Da: 8c, Ha: 16a, Mu: 30, Nab: 26a-b, SLB: 20,21a

² Nab: upijishile mfunda wa chambo

³ Ha: wakirambe bungo; Mu: wakiramba bungo; Nab: waye kula wakaraba bongo

32. ¹Wenye² kula wakashiba mno ♦ shiba ya³ mtingotingo

¹ 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

¹ Missing in Kn1+2, Nab, SLB; = Da: 9a, Ha: 17a, Mu: 32

² Ha: nami

34. ¹Pazid̪iye na nne nambayo^{2 ♦} sahi³ sambe⁴ ni uwongo

¹ 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	–	–

 

3. 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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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[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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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’

[av_hr class=’short’ height=’50’ shadow=’no-shadow’ position=’center’ custom_border=’av-border-thin’ custom_width=’50px’ custom_border_color=” custom_margin_top=’30px’ custom_margin_bottom=’30px’ icon_select=’yes’ custom_icon_color=” icon=’ue808′ font=’entypo-fontello’]

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

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

² 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

² 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

³ 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

² 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

² 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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Sources:

Ha = Harries (1962: 181) ‘The Wine Song’

Kn = Knappert (1979: 68-69) ‘The Wine Hymn’

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

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1. Ewe mteshi wa uchi¹ wa mbata² ulio ut̪ungu

¹ Kn: we mteshi ulo mnazini

² Kn: nipe uchi ulio uchungu

2. Nitekeya wa kikasikini ♦ tesheweo ni¹ mgema² wangu

¹ Kn: na

² Ha: ngema

3. Nitekeya na wa¹ kit̪upani ♦ uyayongao kwa zungu²

¹ Ha: wa

² Kn: ulo kuya na wale wazungu; Nab: [uya wawangawa kwa mzungu]

4. Nitekeya ulio nyunguni ♦ ulopikwa kwa k’uni na¹ nyungu

¹ Ha, Kn: kunyinywa

5. K’ishirabu¹ nikema kuwewa² ♦ nilit̪ake³ embekungu langu

¹ Ha: hishirabu

² Kn: mezani

³ Kn: nalitaka

6. Embekungu la mani ya chuma¹ ♦ mpiniwe mbwa t̪ungut̪ungu

¹ Kn: embe kungu latupalo mani ♦ latupalo ndani tungutungu

7. Embekungu k’angika¹ changoni ♦ pangikwapo siwa na mavungu

¹ Kn: langikwa

8. ¹Pangikwapo magoma ya ezi ♦ na mawano mawano ya bangu.

¹ Missing in Nab

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Sources:

Ha = Harries (1962: 182) ‘The Bathing Song’

Kn = Knappert (1979: 69) ‘The Bathing Song’

Nab = Nabahany (ms in Arabic script) ‘Upambe(?) wa Liyongo’

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1. Nowa k’ifuwa¹ na nguoza mbwenepo mayi ♦ k’ateka² k’inwa³ nisisaze k’asiya nyota⁴

¹ Ha, Nab: chifuwa

² Ha: hateka

³ Ha, Nab: chinwa

⁴ Kn: nikisaza, nyota sisii

2. Aniombao nisiize¹ nduu na mbasi² ♦ sina la kwamba nambe ninit̪ama nisiize.³

¹ Kn: sikuiza

² Kn: ahii

³ Kn: sina la kambi, namba nywai, sikuyasiza

 

Overview

New	Ha	Kn	Nab
1	1a,b	1,2	1a,b
2	2a,b	3,4	2a,b

 

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1.   Nowa[1] k’ifuwa na nguoza[2] mbwenepo[3] mayi  k’ateka k’inwa nisisaze k’asiya[4] nyota[5]	1.   I bathe and wash my clothes wherever I find water and I draw of it and drink to my satisfaction till my thirst is completely quenched.
2.   Aniombao nisiize[6] nduu na mbasi[7]  sina la kwamba nambe nini t̪ama nisiize.	2.   I should not refuse anyone, relative or friend, whoever asks me for it, what else should I say except that I shall not refuse.[8]

[1] naoga.

[2] nguo zangu.

[3] nionapo.

[4] nikamaliza.

[5] kiu.

[6] nisikatae.

[7] rafiki.

[8] Here interpreted as ‘end’, however tama ‘mouthful’ also makes sense.

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1.   Nili kwangu ndele[1] ♦ nami t’otomile[2] ♦ ndosele[3] mbwele[4] ♦ kilipacho wazi.	1.   I was at home asleep ♦ in a deep slumber. ♦ I dreamed, and I saw ♦ visions which were clear.
2.   Ndoto ndoseya[5] ♦ t’oshee[6] miuya[7] ♦ kuuwawa nduya[8] ♦ mwana wa shangazi.	2.   I dreamed a frightening dream, ♦ a shocking calamity had befallen me ♦ of being slain by my own kinsman – ♦ my father’s sister’s son
3.   K’ondoka ti k’ima[9] ♦ nguu kaiyuma[10] ♦ moyo ukanima[11] ♦ k’amwita K’undazi.	3.   I got up, standing straight, ♦ like a firm mountain, ♦ as my heart gathered courage, ♦ I called out to Kundazi.
4.   K’undazi amwao[12] ♦ katwaliye ngao ♦ na msu nd̪onao[13] ♦ pamwe na shirazi[14].	4.   Kundazi, whom he knew well (and trusted), ♦ ‘Fetch my shield ♦ and the sharpened sword ♦ together with a lantern.’
5.   Kinoo ndeteya[15] ♦ msu chungachiya[16] ♦ nuo[17] ninoweya[18] ♦ utishao mwazi[19].	5.   Bring me the whetstone ♦ to make the sword ♦ even keener ♦ so that its brightness scares [the enemy].
6.   Ninowe kipate ♦ makali yanete[20] ♦ payewepo[21] p’ite ♦ sit̪owe zimizi[22].	6.   Let me whet it ♦ till it becomes razor-sharp. ♦ Wherever they [the enemies] are fully gathered, ♦ I should break through them without fear.
7.   Payewepo nyime[23] ♦ moyo usimame ♦ niwe gombe dume ♦ k’iuka ja mbuzi.	7.   Wherever the enemies are, I will confront them, ♦ standing with a firm heart. ♦ I will be like a strong bull ♦ and leap like a goat.

[1] nimelala.

[2] nimelala usingizi mzito.

[3] nimeota.

[4] = mbwene, nimeona.

[5] nimeota.

[6] nimeshangaa.

[7] hatari; mawimbi.

[8] ndugu yangu; inamaanisha aliyetaka kuuliwa ni Fumo Liyongo.

[9] nikisimama imara.

[10] mlima uliosimama imara.

[11] ukanisimama.

[12] amjuaye.

[13] njoo nao.

[14] siraji, taa.

[15] niletee.

[16] tia makali.

[17] mnoo.

[18] ninolee.

[19] mwanzi, ng’aro.

[20] imefikia makali ya hali ya juu.

[21] palipojaa.

[22] bila ya kuwa na hofu.

[23] niime.

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Sources:

Ha = Harries (1962: 146-147) ‘Shairi la Ndoto’

Hi = Hichens (ms 205000 SOAS, typed)

Kn = Knappert (1979: 75-76) untitled

Wer = Werner (ms SOAS 210015; cited after Rozenstroch (1984): 224) ‘Utendi wa Liyongo’

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1. ¹Nili kwangu ndele ♦ nami t’otomile² ♦ ndosele mbwele ♦ kilipacho wazi³.

¹ = Wer: 3; missing in Kn;
Wer has the following additional first two lines:

Wer (1): Upijao mbiu ♦ Sipije hiyao ♦ Wite Mfamau ♦ Na nkivu mothi.

Wer (2): Patia mkamba ♦ Na ngovi ya simba ♦ Waume huumbwa ♦ Watishao mwathi

² Wer: na mito tamile

³ Hi: uwathi; Wer: mwathi

2. ¹Ndoto ndoseya² ♦ t’oshee³ miuya⁴ ♦ kuuwawa⁵ nduya ♦ mwana wa shangazi.

¹ = Wer: 4; missing in Kn

² Wer: Ndocho ndoseo

³ Hi: Tuthee

⁴ Wer: Toothee moyo

⁵ Ha: kuuawa

3. ¹K’ondoka ti k’ima^2 ♦ nguu kaiyuma³ ♦ moyo ukanima ♦ k’amwita Kundazi.

¹ = Wer: 5; missing in Kn

² Ha, Hi: kondoka tikima; Wer: kondo kati kema

³ Wer: nguo kaiyuma

4. ¹Kundazi amwao ♦ katwaliye ngao ♦ na msu² nd̪onao ♦ pamwe na shirazi.

¹ = Wer: 6; missing in Kn

² Hi: susu

5. ¹Kinoo ndeteya ♦ msu chungachiya² ♦ nuo³ ninoweya⁴ ♦ utishao mwazi.

¹ = Wer: 7; missing in Kn

² Ha, Hi: chuga chiya

³ Hi: N’uo

⁴ Wer: Ninoe nnoo

6. ¹Ninowe kipate ♦ makali yanete² ♦ payewepo pite ♦ sit̪owe zimizi³.

¹ = Wer 8; missing in Kn

² Ha, Hi, Wer: ya nete

³ Hi, Wer: mdhimidhi

7. ¹Payewepo² nyime^{3 ♦} moyo usimame⁴ ♦ niwe gombe dume⁵ ♦ k’iuka⁶ ja⁷

¹ = Kn: 2, Wer: 9; Missing in Kn

² Kn: nijiwapo

³ Kn, Wer: nime

⁴ Hi, Kn: usiname

⁵ Hi, Wer: tume

⁶ Hi: kiuka; Kn: kiukisha mbuzi

⁷ Ha, Wer: cha
Kn adds the following lines to this stanza:

nife dondo wazi ♦ ndi fumo wa Ozi

The preceding stanza in Kn corresponds to Nr. 10, line 6 and reads as follows:

Mwanangwa ni fili ♦ hafi kwa ulili ♦ hufa kwa jabali ♦ kwalo kondo kali.

Wer has the following two additional lines:

Mwenda juu kamwe ♦ Ndoo mbele huchume ♦ Ukufika wambe ♦ Jumbe likudhidhi
Ukufika wambe ♦ Ukumbini yumbe ♦ Sikhofu dhilembwe ♦ Dhitishao mwadhi

 

Overview

New	Ha	Hi	Kn	Wer
1	1	1	–	3
2	2	2	–	4
3	3	3	–	5
4	4	4	–	6
5	5	5	–	7
6	6	6	–	8
7	7	7	2a-d	9
			1		line 6 in Nat̪ani Niliye (10)
			2e-f
				10
				11

 

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1.   Sifu uta wangu wa chit̪anzu cha mpingo	1.   Let me praise my bow, made from the supple twig of the ebony tree,
2.   Upakwe mafuta unawiri kama chiyoo	2.   let it be smeared with oil so that it may glitter like a mirror.
3.   Mwanzo ch’ondokeya nifumile[1] nyoka umiyo[2]	3.   I started shooting at the neck of a snake
4.   Hafuma na nd̪ovu shikiyole kama ut̪eyo[3]	4.   and an elephant whose ear is like an ut̪eyo basket[4];
5.   Hafuma na k’ungu na kip’aa chendacho mbiyo	5.   I also hit a deer and the swift antelope.
6.   Wanambiya hepe[5] mwana Mbwasho nacha matayo?	6.   You are telling me, the son of Mbwasho, to avoid you: am I afraid of your weapons?

[1] nimefuma.

[2] mishipa ya shingo.

[3] ungo.

[4]A flat basket used for sifting grain

[5] -epuka.

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Sources:

Ha = Harries (1962: 182-83) ‘The Bow Song’

Kn = Knappert (1979: 75) ‘The Bow Song (sifa la uta)’

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

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1. Sifu¹ uta wangu wa chit̪anzu² cha mpingo³

¹ Ha, Kn: sifa

² Kn: kitanzu

³ Ha: mtoriyo; Kn: mti roo

2. Upakwe mafuta unawiri kama chiyoo¹

¹ Kn: kioo

3. Mwanzo ch’ondokeya¹ nifumile nyoka umiyo²

¹ Ha: chondeka; Kn: ´kiondoka

² Kn: umiye

4. Hafuma¹ na nd̪ovu shikiyole kama ut̪eyo²

¹ Kn: kafuma

² Ha, Kn: shikilole kwa mautiye

5. Hafuma na k’ungu¹ na kip’aa² chendacho mbiyo

¹ Ha: Hafuma kungu; Kn: kafuma kunguu

² The expected form would be chip‘aa consistent with the chi-ki correspondence in this poem

6. Wanambiya hepe mwana Mbwasho nacha¹ matayo?

¹ Ha: nasha; Kn: acha

 

Overview

New	Ha	Kn	Nab
1	1a	1	1a
2	1b	2	1b
3	2a	3	2a
4	2b	4	2b
5	3a	5	3a
6	3b	6	3b

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1. Pijiyani mbasi[1] ♦ p’embe ya jamusi[2] ♦ kwa cha mt̪at̪usi[3] ♦ au mwananinga[4]	1. Beat the buffalo-horn ♦ with the stick of the mt̪at̪usi[5] ♦ or the mwananinga[6] ♦ to call my friends[7].
2. Upije na p’embe, ♦ iliyao yumbe[8], ♦ muwangi[9] uwambe[10] ♦ kwa ya nd̪ovu k’anga[11]	2. And blow the horn ♦ that resounds in the palace, ♦ so that it echoes ♦ with the piercing sound of nd̪ovu k’anga.[12]
3. Vumi[13] lende mbali, ♦ lamshe ahali, ♦ wake kwa wavuli ♦ waye nganganganga[14]	3. The sound shall travel far and wide ♦ and wake up the folk – ♦ men and women alike – ♦ so they may gather with zeal.
4. Waye wakelet̪’i ♦ wambeja banat̪i[15] ♦ tupane saut̪i[16], ♦ tumsifu yanga[17].	4. The elegant ladies of stature ♦ should come and sit down; ♦ then we sing songs together ♦ showering abundant praises on her (the Lady Manga).
5. Tupane bayit̪i, ♦ tukizit̪afit̪i, ♦ njema ziwek(w)e-t̪’i[18], ♦ mbi tukit̪enga.	5. Let us all compose verses ♦ examining them critically, ♦ retaining the best ♦ and discarding the rest.
6. Kisa kuziona ♦ bayit̪i kufana ♦ yatupe kunena ♦ zakwe Mwana Manga.	6. And when we have considered the verses ♦ how well-composed they are, ♦ they should give us the urge ♦ to eulogize the Lady Manga.
7. Basi, tuwakifu[19], ♦ yasiwe marefu, ♦ sifa tusanifu ♦ zakwe Mwana Manga!	7. Now we should stop here ♦ lest this opening becomes too long, ♦ and commence singing the praises ♦ of the Lady Manga.
8. T̪’akwand̪a kit̪wani. ♦ Nduza, sikiyani ♦ hariri laini ♦ zakwe nyele singa.	8. I shall begin with the praise of her head. ♦ Listen well, my friends: ♦ her hair is silken soft ♦ straight and smooth.
9. Kit̪wache huramu[20] ♦ ni kama ruhamu[21] ♦ enga[22] jaizimu[23] ♦ taole[24] kuzinga.	9. The head of this noble Lady ♦ is fair and smooth like marble. ♦ Look! Its shape ♦ is rounded like a sukun[25].
10. Yakwe mashikiyo, ♦ apulikiyao, ♦ yatendele[26] tao ♦ kama kombenanga[27].	10. Her ears with which ♦ she listens attentively ♦ curve in an attractive way ♦ like kombenanga[28].
11. Uso wakwe mwana ♦ napa, siyaona ♦ utengee[29] sana ♦ na kuta miyanga[30].	11. The face of the Lady – ♦ I swear – I have not seen ♦ such perfection before, ♦ a face radiating glittering light.
12. Nshize[31] zifene[32], ♦ nt̪’a zilingene[33], ♦ shina lifungene[34], ♦ kama lalofungwa.	12. Her eyebrows are well balanced ♦ with the tips in proper symmetry, ♦ joining at the root, ♦ as if tied together.[35]
13. Ni nyeusi mno, ♦ zizid̪iye[36] wino, ♦ zit̪olee[37] k’ono[38] ♦ zit̪’and̪u za mnga[39].	13. They are ebony black ♦ surpassing the blackness of ink ♦ with tiny tendrils ♦ like sprouts of the mnga.[40]
14. Mat̪o avikapo[41], ♦ haswa avuwapo[42], ♦ mt’u akiwapo ♦ hutisha kuyenga[43].	14. When she casts down her eyes, ♦ and then lifts up her gaze, ♦ whoever is present, ♦ is struck with awe.
15. P’uwaye ajabu ♦ zifungo huribu[44] ♦ ni sit̪a hisabu ♦ mwenye kuziwanga.	15. Her nose – it’s a wonder – ♦ its arch has decorative marks, ♦ six in number, ♦ if one is to count them.
16. Sit̪a’ajabuni, ♦ kuliko Manani ♦ hat̪a ishirini ♦ zifungo hupanga.	16. Be not amazed ♦ if the Bestower of Favours creates the arch ♦ [long enough] to carry even ♦ twenty design marks.[45]
17. Zakwe zit̪efut̪e[46] ♦ zizid̪iye zot̪’e ♦ ya mkat̪ekat̪e[47] ♦ mafuta ya kwenga[48].	17. Her upper cheeks ♦ surpass all others (in beauty)[49]; ♦ they shine as if treated ♦ with refined sesame oil[50].
18. Miyomo membamba ♦ asipoifumba ♦ at̪akapokwamba, ♦ helewa muyinga.	18. Her lips are thin, ♦ even without pressing them[51]. ♦ When she speaks, ♦ even a fool understands her.
19. Kwamba t̪’akwambaye? ♦ T̪’atongowa iye[52]? ♦ Ajabu menoye ♦ humuyengayenga[53].	19. If I were to speak, what would I say? ♦ What can I relate to you ♦ of the wonder of her teeth? ♦ They light up her face.
20. Si ya ahadharu[54], ♦ si ya ahmaru[55], ♦ hufana na nuru, ♦ iwaao[56] Manga.	20. Neither are they tainted green ♦ nor are they red; ♦ they are like the lights ♦ of the North.
21. Si ya mkakasi[57], ♦ si ranji nyeusi ♦ ni kufana basi, ♦ kuwa wand̪a[58] Manga.	21. They are not multi-hued ♦ as a mkakasi[59] ♦ nor black in colour ♦ as the kohl of Manga[60].
22. Kanwa hurad̪id̪i ♦ nyoshi za mkad̪i[61] ♦ au za zabad̪i ♦ ya ngawa na fungwa[62].	22. Her mouth gives out ♦ the sweet scent of the mkad̪i[63] ♦ or of the pure musk ♦ of the civet and the wild dove.
23. Ulimi mpesi[64] ♦ wakwe ye fanusi[65] ♦ haswa kid̪urusi, ♦ hud̪ighimu[66] yanga.	23. Her tongue is eloquent ♦ – this bright lady – ♦ especially when she recites ♦ her voice is clearly heard.
24. Shani ni kidevu. ♦ Si k’ungu mbiyavu[67]. ♦ Ni k’ungu t’engevu[68], ♦ k’ungu k’ungumanga[69].	24. Her chin is wonderful ♦ its shape is not [like] ♦ an ordinary ripening kungu[70] ♦ but of a perfectly formed kungumanga.[71]
25. Shingoye ni ndefu ♦ muwand̪i sharifu, ♦ ipambiwe[72] k’ufu[73], ♦ k’ama[74] za kutunga.	25. Her neck is long, ♦ straight and elegant like a bamboo, ♦ adorned with long necklaces ♦ and short ones strung together with beads.
26. Ni hid̪aya njema, ♦ umbile[75] Karima ♦ iyaliye[76] nyama ♦ yakwe mit’ulinga[77].	26. She has been bestowed ♦ with a good gift by the Generous One ♦ her collarbones ♦ are well-rounded with flesh.
27. Mafuzi[78] kad̪iri, ♦ hayakudhihiri, ♦ kama bilauri ♦ taole kuzinga.	27. Her shoulders are of the right size, ♦ neither prominent nor bony, ♦ but finely curved ♦ like a fine crystal goblet.
28. Mikono imiye[79], ♦ mbinu ziyaliye. ♦ Zand̪aze ni ziye[80] ♦ za t̪’and̪u za mnga.	28. Her arms sway gracefully (when she walks) ♦ her full inner elbow curves pleasingly; ♦ her fingers are long ♦ like the branches of the mnga.
29. Nyaaze[81] launi ♦ kama marijani ♦ napa hut̪amani ♦ mwenye kuziyenga.	29. Her nails display the colour ♦ of red coral[82]. ♦ I swear, whoever sees them ♦ will find them attractive.
30. Makapwaye[83], nduza, ♦ mat̪o k’ituliza, ♦ mbwene[84], ukimeza ♦ mt̪e mpakanga[85].	30. Her arm pits, my friends, ♦ when I set eyes on them – ♦ (what) I saw, growing, ♦ (was) the seedling of the mpakanga[86].
31. Hut̪et̪a[87] harufu ♦ zaid̪i ya afu ♦ au mat̪ukufu ♦ mafuta ya Manga.	31. They (her arm pits) give out ♦ a pleasant smell ♦ which is better than wild jasmine ♦ or (even) the scent-producing oil of Manga[88].
32. Naapa wallahi, ♦ asiyo shabihi, ♦ t̪’anena sahihi ♦ ya makomamanga.	32. I swear, by God, ♦ The Incomparable, ♦ I shall speak the truth ♦ about the pomegranates.
33. Napa siwenepo[89] ♦ sishuhud̪iyepo[90], ♦ matunda ya p’epo ♦ yakwe Mwana Manga.	33. I swear, I have not seen, ♦ nor have I witnessed, ♦ the fruits of Paradise ♦ as those of Mwana Manga.
34. Yakiwa nguoni, ♦ hut̪esha uyuni[91]. ♦ Yawapo bayani, ♦ akili hut̪anga[92].	34. When they are covered by clothes ♦ they fascinate the eyes, ♦ and when they are bare ♦ the mind wanders.
35. Ziwavuze[93] nana ♦ Ziwavu zenana[94] ♦ hut̪esha kuvina[95] ♦ wenye kumsinga.	35. The lower ribs of the Lady ♦ are soft and delicate. ♦ Those who massage her ♦ are cautious in stroking them.
36. Maungo yamile[96], ♦ sarara zilele[97], ♦ hazit’umbalile[98], ♦ hazikumpinga.	36. Her back is straight. ♦ The evenly formed muscles ♦ of the sides of her back ♦ do not prevent her (from turning around easily)
37. Matumbo makut̪o[99], ♦ nd̪iya na masit̪o. ♦ Kitovu ni kit̪o, ♦ huvuta k’afunga.	37. Her belly has folds ♦ with covered ridges in between. ♦ Her navel is [like] an inlaid gem ♦ which I may draw in and out.
38. Kitovu ni huka[100] ♦ kezo[101] la kimaka. ♦ Mwenye kukinuk’a ♦ p’uwa d̪amu henga[102].	38. Her navel is [like] a casket ♦ crafted by a skilled workman from Makka. ♦ Whoever smells (it) ♦ his blood rushes to the tip of his nose.[103]
39. T̪’awangu[104] ni zito, ♦ kwa yao[105] za p’eto, ♦ t̪ena lina k’eto[106] ♦ pesi la kuzinga.	39. The casket is heavy ♦ with many necklaces ♦ and it is also deep ♦ and easy to rotate.
40. Wema wa d̪uara ♦ angaliya d̪ira ♦ usipoid̪ara, ♦ yand̪apo kuzinga.	40. How perfectly rounded is the casket! ♦ Look, [it is like] a compass ♦ (whose needle) moves round ♦ without being touched.
41. Na yakwe safina ♦ nalipoiyona, ♦ si nyire[107], si p’ana ♦ iyaliye[108] nyonga[109].	41. And her sailing ship[110] – ♦ when I saw it – ♦ it was neither long nor wide ♦ but filled well between the thighs.
42. K’akund̪uwa d̪ume[111] ♦ matanga yakwime[112] ♦ haswa la galime[113] ♦ shira’a k’asonga.	42. I unfurled the main sail ♦ raising it to the top of the mast; ♦ concentrating then on the smaller sail ♦ hauling its ropes to catch the wind.
43. Kwalina mawingu ♦ na p’epo nyengwangu[114], ♦ zot̪’e zombo zangu ♦ k’azifungafunga.	43. There were ominous clouds ♦ and soft breezes, ♦ I rigged the ship, ♦ ready for the sailing.
44. K’azunguwa bao ♦ k’apinga shikio. ♦ Mbwene yavutao ♦ mai henda Manga.	44. I turned the helm ♦ and made the ship tack, ♦ feeling the currents pulling ♦ towards Manga.
45. Ngamani k’angiya ♦ ili kut̪ungiya. ♦ K’isa kuzengeya, ♦ ngama isikwenga[115].	45. I went down to the bilge, ♦ to look at the water level. ♦ and having checked it, ♦ [I found] the boat was not leaking.
46. K’angiya ngamani ♦ k’enda uziwani. ♦ Niiyepo[116] p’wani, ♦ k’apija mzinga.	46. Down I went to the bilge ♦ and then sailed to the deep sea; ♦ when I came to the shore, ♦ I fired a cannon.
47. Ikimikamika[117], ♦ ikinuk’anuk’a ♦ vumba la kimaka ♦ yakwe Mwana Manga.	47. It was oozing, ♦ producing a scent – ♦ a pleasant fragrance from Makka ♦ emanating from the Lady Manga.
48. Niinushiyepo[118] ♦ k’afanya kit̪apo[119] ♦ k’asabibu p’epo ♦ k’ivuza[120] waganga.	48. When I arose, ♦ I was shaking, ♦ possessed by a spirit ♦ compelling me to look for waganga.[121]
49. Ziweoze[122] nd̪iwa ♦ ni tako la siwa. ♦ Wend̪e hula ngowa[123] ♦ na kumzimnga[124].	49. The thighs of the dove ♦ are like the bell-shaped sides of the siwa[125]. ♦ Her close friends are envious, ♦ piling curses on her.
50. Maondo[126] ni sifa, ♦ yana ma’arifa, ♦ henda kwa misafa ♦ na kuiviringa.	50. Her knees are praise-worthy ♦ they are used to movement ♦ taking measured steps ♦ with airs and graces.
51. T̪’afuze[127] kad̪iri, ♦ hazikudhihiri ♦ kowa[128] la zumari ♦ taole kuzinga.	51. Her calves are proportionate in size ♦ they are not too showy; ♦ they curve beautifully ♦ like the middle part of a zumari.[129]
52. Nyayoze ashashi[130]. ♦ Vaole ni koshi[131], ♦ kazi ya nakishi ♦ kwa kazi ya Manga.	52. The soles of the beautiful Lady are striking. ♦ They are enclosed in shoes ♦ with attractive designs ♦ of the craftsmanship of Manga.

[1] pigeni kuwaita watu.

[2] pembe ya nyati.

[3] aina ya mti mgumu.

[4] aina ya mti mgumu wenye miba.

[5] A plant (garcinia), plants contain yellow latex, fruit a berry

[6] A tree, acacia (harungana), see footnote 32 (12,13)

[7] Traditional call to assemble people; the horn of the buffalo which is reputed to produce a certain quality of sound, like the one produced by a brass tray when beaten. It produces better sounds than the horns of other animals.

[8] jumba la ukoo (ukolo) linalohusishwa na ufalme mara nyingine.

[9] mwang(w)i.

[10] uenee, uzagae.

[11] tembo mdogo anayetoa sauti kali (hapa inafananishwa na sauti ya siwa).

[12] Lit. a young elephant, but the term here refers to the ceremonial horn siwa.

[13] sauti.

[14] kwa harakati, kwa kishindo.

[15] wanawake, hasa vijana watukufu.

[16] tupeane sauti.

[17] kwa wingi.

[18] ziwekwe chini, ziwekwe kando.

[19] tusite, tusimame.

[20] mwanamke mwenye kuheshimika.

[21] maromaro.

[22] tazama.

[23] sakna; irabu yenye umbo la duara.

[24] umbo lake.

[25] Lambert: the jazma (sukun), the circle in Arabic writing to indicate absence of vowel.

[26] yametenda, yamefanya.

[27] aina ya kombe za pwani.

[28] An ear-shaped sea shell

[29] umetengenea.

[30] kung’ara.

[31] nyusi zake.

[32] zimefana, zimekaa vizuri.

[33] zimelingana.

[34] limefungana.

[35] In this poem, eyebrows that touch each other where they meet at the top of the nose are considered attractive. Black hair and eyebrows are likewise admired.

[36] zimezidi (weusi wa wino).

[37] zimetoa.

[38] tanzuzi.

[39] mgunga.

[40] Acacia (dichrostachys cinerea; acacia clavigera, acacia catechu, acacia seyal) also mwananinga

[41] ayatupapo chini, ayashushapo chini.

[42] ayainuapo macho (juu).

[43] kutazama.

[44] kuchora kwa nakshi.

[45] A long nose was considered a mark of beauty.

[46] nyama zinazotokeza kwenye mifupa ya machavu.

[47] ufuta.

[48] mafuta safi ya kugida.

[49] High cheek-bones, well-rounded with flesh, were considered a mark of beauty.

[50] Oil thouroughly refined, usually perfumed by treating it with jasmine and other sweet-smelling flowers, used as body and hair oil

[51] i.e. they are naturally thin

[52] nitasimuliaje.

[53] humng’ara.

[54] kijani.

[55] Mekundu.

[56] inayong’ara.

[57] kikasha.

[58] wanja.

[59] Multi-coloured round chest for storing special silk clothes

[60] Cosmetic used to colour the edge of a person’s eyelids

[61] mmea ambao majani yake hutumika kutengenezea vikuba (uzuri).

[62] njiwa mwitu au pugi.

[63] A tree (pandanus sp.) producing sweet-smelling leaves

[64] mwepesi (wa kusema).

[65] mbuji; hodari wa kusema.

[66] sauti ya mguno katika fani ya usomaji Korani kwa tajwidi.

[67] mbivu.

[68] iliyotengenea.

[69] aina ya kungu (isiyo ya Barahindi) ambayo hutumiwa kwa dawa au kileo.

[70] Fruit of the Indian almond (terminalia cata)

[71] Nutmeg tree (myristica fragrans)

[72] imepambwa.

[73] wingi wa mkufu.

[74] kidani kifupi, hasa cha shanga.

[75] ameumba.

[76] imejaa.

[77] mifupa iliyoko baina ya bega na shingo kwa upande wa mbele.

[78] mabega.

[79] inapunga.

[80] vidole vyake ni virefu.

[81] zake.

[82] Through the application of henna

[83] kwapa zake.

[84] nimeona.

[85] aina ya mti utoao maua ya uzuri.

[86] A plant whose flowers are used to make perfume (absinthe).

[87] hutoa.

[88] Perfume from Oman such as hal-udi, miski, ambari

[89] sikuona po pote.

[90] sikushuhudia po pote.

[91] macho.

[92] hubabaika, huzongeka.

[93] mbavu zake.

[94] laini.

[95] kuchua.

[96] (< -ima) yamenyoka.

[97] zimelala.

[98] hazikuvimba.

[99] peto.

[100] kijaluba.

[101] kitu kilichochongwa kwa kerezo.

[102] hulenga.

[103] Indicating sexual excitement

[104] kijaluba cha duara.

[105] mjao.

[106] kina.

[107] ndefu.

[108] imejaa.

[109] nafasi baina ya mapaja.

[110] Lambert: safina and other words meaning ‘sailing ship’ are fairly frequent as metaphors.

[111] upeo wa juu wa mlingoti.

[112] (< -wima) yakasimame.

[113] mlingoti mdogo.

[114] pepo hafifu.

[115] haivuji.

[116] nilipokuja.

[117] ikitoatoa ute.

[118] nilipoinuka.

[119] nikafanya mtetemeko.

[120] (-uliza) nikitafuta.

[121] Pl. of mganga, traditional healer

[122] mapaja yake.

[123] kumwapiza.

[124] wivu.

[125] Ceremonial horn

[126] magoti.

[127] misuli ya nyuma ya miundi.

[128] sehemu ya kati ya zumari inayotengenezwa kwa shaba.

[129] A Swahili wind instrument, like a clarinette

[130] mwanamke mzuri wa kuvutia.

[131] viatu.

[/av_one_full]

[av_one_full first]

Sources:

Da = Dammann (1940/41: 278-87) ‘Das Preislied des Liongo auf ‘die hochgeborene Araberin’’

Ha = Harries (1962: 142-145) ‘Love-Song’

Hi = Hichens (ms SOAS 205000, p. 141 – 146, typed) ‘Liongo na Mmanga’/‘Liongo and the Maid of Araby’

La = Lambert (1953: 55-65) ‘Ode to Mwana Mnga’

Kn1 = Knappert (1979: 84-91) ‘Ode to Mwana Munga’

Kn2 = Knappert (ms 380526 SOAS, typed) ‘Shairi la(?) Fumo Liyongwe, aliyotungwa yeye mwenyewe baada ya arusi yake kuingiya ndani’

Nab1 = Nabahany (ms in Arabic script) ‘Fumo Liyongo(ye)’

Nab2 = Nabahany (ms in Arabic script) ‘Liyongo’

Nab3 = Nabahany (ms in Arabic script) untitled

Nas = Nassir (ms, typed) ‘Liongo na Mwana Manga’

NSh = Noor Shariff (1988: 89-92) untitled

Ri = Ridhiwani (1996: 23-32) ‘Mashairi ya Fumo Liongo’

SLH = State and University Library Hamburg (ms in Arabic script written by Kijumwa in 1936) ‘Fumo Liyongo na Mwana Manga’

SLB = State Library Berlin (ms 9915 in Arabic script) ‘ Shairi la Liongo aliomsifu mkewe’

Wer = Kijumwa (ms 47795 SOAS in Arabic Script) ‘Shairi la Liyongo’, transliterated by Alice Werner

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1. Pijiyani mbasi¹ ♦ p’embe ya jamusi² ♦ kwa cha mt̪at̪usi³ ♦ au mwananinga⁴.

¹ Ha, Hi: mpwasi; Ri: bikani mpasi; NSh,Wer: basi; SLB: [mbani]

² Ri: jahusi

³ Da, La, Ka: mt̪ot̪osi; Ha, Nab1, Nab2, NSh, SLH, SLB, Wer: mtutusi; Ri: kecha mtutushi

⁴ Ha: mwananiga

2. Upije na p’embe,¹ ♦ iliyao yumbe,² ♦ muwangi³ uwambe⁴ ♦ kwa ya nd̪ovu k’anga⁵.

¹ Nas: mupije; Ri: ubike

² Ri: iliye

³ Nab1, Nab3, Nas: muwangu

⁴ Ha: uwembe

⁵ Ri: kaya kufukanga; Nab1: [kwa ya ndovu k(w)a kanga]

3. Vumi lende mbali, ♦ lamshe ahali, ♦ wake kwa¹ wavuli ♦ waye² nganganganga³.

¹ Da, Ha, Hi, Ka, Nab2, Nas, NSh, Ri, SLH, SLB, Wer: na

² Kn2: wawe

³ Ha, Hi, Ri: ganga-ganga

4. Waye wakelet̪’i¹ ♦ wambeja² banat̪i ♦ tupane saut̪i,³ ♦ tumsifu⁴ yanga.⁵

¹ Nab1: [wakiketi]; Nab3: [takuketi]

² Nab1, Wer: [wampija]; Ri: wambuji

³ Da, Kn1, SLH: bait̪i; Nas, NSh:watupe bait̪i; Ri: tupate swauti; Nab1, Nab3: [watowe saut̪i]

⁴ NSh: wamsifu

⁵ Da, SLH: Manga: Ha, Hi: mmanga

5. ¹Tupane² bayit̪i³, ♦ tukizit̪afit̪i,⁴ ♦ njema⁵ ziwek(w)e-t̪’i⁶ ♦ mbi.⁷ tukit̪enga

¹ Missing in La, SLB

² Hi: tupani

³ Wer: [saut̪i]

⁴ Kn2: tulizitafiti; Nab1: [tukizitaviti]

⁵ Hi: jema

⁶ Kn2: ziwe keti

⁷ Nab3: [ziwe]

6. ¹Kisa kuziona, ♦ bayit̪i kufana ♦ yatupe² kunena ♦ zakwe Mwana Manga.

¹ Missing in Da, Kn1, Kn2, Ri, Nab1, Nab3, SLH, Wer; = La: 5, SLB: 5

² Nas: patupe; Ha, Hi: yatupwe

7. ¹Basi, tuwakifu², ♦ yasiwe marefu³, ♦ sifa tusanifu⁴ ♦ zakwe Mwana Manga.⁵

¹= Da: 6, Kn1: 6, Kn2: 6, La: 6, Nab1: 6, Nab3: 6, Ri: 6, SLB: 6, SLH: 6, Wer: 6

² NSh, Ri: t̪‘awakifu

³ Nab1, Nab3: [sifa tusanifu]

⁴Nab1, Nab3: [yasiwe marefu]

⁵ Ha, Hi: zakeye miyanga; Kn2, Nab1, Nab2, Ri, SLB: tumsifu yanga, Kn1: Yanga

8. ¹T̪’akwand̪a² kit̪ ♦ Nduza, sikiyani³ ♦ hariri laini ♦ zakwe nyele singa.

¹= Da: 7, Kn1: 7, Kn2: 7, La: 7, Nab1: 7, Nab3: 7, Ri: 7, SLB: 7, SLH: 7, Wer: 7

² Nab3: [kwand̪a]

³ Nas: pulikani

9. ¹Kit̪wache huramu ♦ ni kama rukhamu ♦ enga² jaizimu ♦ taole kuzinga.

¹= Da: 8, Kn1: 8, Kn2: 8, La: 8, Nab1: 8, Nab3: 8, Ri: 8, SLB: 8, SLH: 8, Wer: 8

² Ha, Hi: au; Kn1, SLH: kama; Nab1: [enanga]; Ri: jaiga

10. ¹Yakwe² mashikiyo, ♦apulikiyao,³ ♦ yatendele tao ♦ kama kombenanga⁴.

¹= Da: 9, Kn1: 9, Kn2: 9, La: 9, Nab1: 9, Nab3: 9, Ri: 9, SLB: 9, SLH: 9, Wer: 9

² SLB: [yale]

³ Ri: upulikiao

⁴ Nas: kumbi manga

11. ¹Uso wakwe mwana ♦ napa, siyaona² ♦ utengee³ sana⁴ ♦ na kuta⁵

¹ = Da: 10, Kn1: 10, Kn2: 10, La: 10, Nab1: 10, Nab3: 10, Ri: 10, SLB: 10, SLH: 10, Wer: 10

² Ha: na pasiyaona

³ Da, Kn2, Nab1, Ri, SLH, Wer: kutengea; SLB: [utengea]

⁴ Hi: na pasiyaona

⁵ Ha, Hi, SLB: huota; La: kwakuta; Nas: na kweta; Ri: nakucha

12. ¹Nshize² zifene, ♦ nt̪’a zilingene,³ ♦ shina lifungene,⁴ ♦ kama lalofungwa⁵.

¹ = Da: 11, Kn1: 11, Kn2: 11, La: 11, Nab1: 11, Nab3: 11, Ri: 11, SLB: 11, SLH: 11, Wer: 11

² Ri: ntize; Nab1, Nab3: [nt̪‘aze]; Nas: ita; SLB: [inta]

³ Nab1, Nab3: [nshi]; NSh: zilingane

⁴ Nab1: this kipande is repeated

⁵ Ha, Hi, La, Ri: lalofunga; Nab1, Nab3: [zalofunga]

13. ¹Ni nyeusi mno, ♦ zizid̪iye wino,² ♦ zit̪olee k’ono³ ♦ zit̪’and̪u⁴ za mnga⁵.

¹ = Da: 12, Kn1: 12, Kn2: 12, La: 12, Nab1: 12, Nab3: 12, Ri: 12, SLB: 12, SLH: 12, Wer: 12

² Kn1, Kn2, La, Ri, Wer: zaidi ya wino; Nab1: [zizidi]; Nas: wina

³ Da, Ha, Hi, Kn1, La, Nab2: zit(w)ali(y)e; Nas: zitatiye; Kn2: zitwaliye kondo; Ri: zituliye kuno

⁴ La, Ri, Nab2, SLB: ya tandu; Ha, Nas: ya tando; Da, Wer: zat̪’and̪u; Kn1: ja tandu; Hi: tando; NSh: tand̪u

⁵ Nab1, Nab3: [manga]; Ri: munga; Kn2: yatandu zanga

14. ¹Mat̪o² avikapo,³ ♦ haswa avuwapo, ♦ mt’u akiwapo⁴ ♦ hutisha kuyenga⁵.

¹ = Da: 13, Kn1: 13, Kn2: 13, La: 13, Nab1: 13, Nab3: 13, Ri: 13, SLB: 13, SLH: 13, Wer: 13

² SLB: [mito]

³ Ri, Nab1: afikapo

⁴ Da, SLB, SLH: akawepo; Nab1, Nab3, Nas, NSh: akiwapo

⁵ Ri: kuvenga; Nab1, Kn2, Nab3: kuwenga; NSh: hutesha kiyenga

15. ¹P’uwaye ajabu² ♦ zifungo3 huribu ♦ ni sit̪a hisabu ♦ mwenye⁴

¹ Missing in Ri; = Da: 14, Kn1: 14, Kn2: 14, La: 14, Nab1: 14, Nab3: 14, SLB: 14, SLH: 14, Wer: 14

² Nab1; Nab3: [p’uwa ya]

³ Da, Kn1, La, SLH: zivungu; Nab1, Nab3: [ziungo]; Hi: zifungu

⁴ Hi, La: mwenyi; Nab3: [muwenye]

16. ¹Sit̪a’ajabuni, ♦ kuliko Manani² ♦ hat̪a³ ishirini ♦ zifungo⁴ hupanga⁵.

¹= Da: 15, Kn1: 15, Kn2: 15, La: 15, Nab1: 15, Nab3: 15, Ri: 14, SLB: 15, SLH: 15, Wer: 15

² Kn1: mbonini; Nab1, Nab3: [mambo ya manani]

³ Kn1: nyota

⁴ Da, La, Nab2: zivungu; Hi, Nas, Ri: zifungu

⁵ Kn1: muda ukiyenga

17. ¹Zakwe zit̪efut̪e² ♦ zizid̪iye zot̪’e ³ ♦ ya mkat̪emkat̪e⁴ ♦ mafuta ya kwenga⁵.

¹ Missing in SLB; = Da: 16, Kn1: 16, Kn2: 16, La: 16, Nab1: 16, Nab3: 16, Ri: 15, SLH: 16, Wer: 16

2 Nab3: [zitafute]

³ Kn1: zazizidi; Nab3: [zizidi]; Kn2: zishindiye yote; Ri: zishindiye yote

⁴ Hi: makatakate; Kn2: yamate kate

⁵ Ha, Hi, Nas: kinga; Kn2: mafuta ya Manga; Ri: mafutaye kenga;

18. ¹Miyomo² membamba³ ♦ asipoifumba⁴ ♦ at̪akapokwamba⁵, ♦ helewa muyinga⁶.

¹= Da: 17, Kn1: 17, Kn2: 17, La: 17, Nab1: 17, Nab3: 17, Ri: 16, SLB: 16, SLH: 17, Wer: 17

² Nab1: miyemo

³ Da, La, Nab2, SLH, Wer: nyembamba, Ha, Kn1, NSh: myembamba; Hi: mwembamba

⁴ Hi: isipo ifumba

⁵ Nab1: [atakapokiwamba]; Hi: atakapo kamba

⁶ Nab1, Nab3: muwinga; Nab2, SLB, SLH: mjinga

19. ¹Kwamba t̪’akwambaye²? ♦ T̪’atongowa³ iye? ♦ Ajabu menoye ♦ humuyengayenga⁴.

¹ Missing in Kn1; = Da: 18, Kn2: 18, La: 18, Nab1: 18, Nab3: 18, Ri: 17, SLB: 17, SLH: 18, Wer: 18;

Kn1 has a completely different line:
Menoye upepe ¨pembe si nyeupe ¨hufana nuru-pe ¨iwaao Manga.

² Nas: takwambayo; NSh: k’amba; Kn2, Ri: takwambia

³ Hi: tatungawa

⁴ Ha, Hi: humo yengayenga; La: humwayengayenga; Ri: humiyangayanga

20. ¹Si ya ahadharu,² ♦ si ya ahmaru,³ ♦ hufana na nuru, ♦ iwaao Manga⁴.

¹ Missing in Kn1, Nab1, Nab3; = Da: 19, Kn2: 20, La: 19, Ri: 19, SLH: 18, SLH: 19, Wer: 19

² Da, SLH: si ya ahmaru

³ Da, SLH: akhz̪aru; Ha shamaru

⁴ Kn2: iwapo muwanga; Ri: iwao muanga

21. ¹Si ya mkakasi², ♦ si ranji nyeusi³ ♦ ni kufana basi,⁴ ♦ kuwa wand̪a Manga⁵.

¹ Missing in Kn1, Nab1, Nab3; = Da: 20, Kn2: 19, La: 20, Ri: 18, SLB: 19, SLH: 20,Wer: 20

² SLB: [si ranji nyeusi]

³ SLB: [si ya mkakasi]

⁴ Ri: pasi

⁵ La: huwa; NSh: kwa wanda wa; SLB: kama

22. ¹Kanwa hurad̪id̪i² ♦ nyoshi³ za mkad̪i⁴ ♦ au za zabad̪i ♦ ya ngawa na fungwa⁵.

¹ = La: 21, Nab1: 20, Nab2: 23, Nab3: 20, NSh: 23, Ri: 21, SLB: 21,Wer: 21

² NSh: kiradidi; Ri: kana haradidi

³ Ha: nyushi; Nas: nyusi; Nab1, Nab3: [uso wa]

⁴ Da: mikadi

⁵ La: funga; NSh: fungu; Nab1, Nab3: [za ngawa na ninga]; Ha, Hi, Kn2, Nas, Ri: yangawa na funga

23. ¹Ulimi mpesi ♦ wakwe ye fanusi² ♦ haswa kid̪urusi, ³ ♦ hud̪ighimu yanga⁴.

¹= Da: 21, Kn1: 21, Kn2: 21, La: 22, Nab1: 19, Nab2: 22, Nab3: 19, Nsh:22, Ri: 20, SLB: 20, SLH: 21, Wer: 22,20

² Ha, La, Nas: wak(w)e ni; Kn2: wake wa; Hi: wa kifanusi; NSh: wakase fenusi; Ri: wekeye; Nab1, Nab3: [khaswa kidarisi]; SLB, Wer: [wak(w)e fanusi]

³ Ha, Hi; Nas: khas(s)a kidodosi; Nab1, Nab3: [ukee fanusi]; Wer (see 20): ni kufana basi

⁴ Ha, Hi; Nas: hudengemu; Kn2: hudigumi; NSh: hud̪ighamu; Ri: hulenga miyanga; Nab1, Nab3, SLB: [huzidi miyanga]; Wer(see 20): kuwa wand̪a manga

24. ¹Shani ni kidevu.² ♦ Si k’ungu mbiyavu³. ♦ Ni k’ungu t’engevu,⁴ ♦ k’ungu k’ungumanga.

¹ Missing in Ha, Hi, Kn2, Nab1, Nab3, Nas, Ri, SLB; = Da: 23, Kn1: 23, La: 23, SLH: 23, Wer: 23

² Da, Kn1, La, Wer: kievu

³ NSh: piyavu

⁴ NSh: t̪ekevu

25. ¹Shingoye ni ndefu² ♦ mwand̪i³ sharifu, ♦ ipambiwe k’ufu,⁴ ♦ k’ama za kutunga⁵.

¹ = Da: 24, Ha: 24, Hi: 24, Kn1: 24, Kn2: 23, La: 24, Nab1: 21, Nab3: 21, Nas: 24, Ri: 22, SLB: 22, SLH: 24, Wer: 24

² Ha, Hi: refu; Nab1: [shingo ni ndefu]; NSh: shingoye ndefu

³ Nas: muwandi ni; Ri: huwandi

⁴ Ha, Hi: ipambewe mkufu; Nas: ipembwe mkufu; Ri: apembewe kafu; Nab1, Nab3: [upembewe]

⁵ Nab1: [kaza kutunga]; Nab3: [kuzi za kutunga]

26. ¹Ni hid̪aya njema,² ♦ umbile Karima³ ♦ iyaliye nyama⁴ ♦ yakwe mit’ulinga⁵.

¹ Missing in Kn1; = Da: 25, Ha: 25, Hi: 25, Kn2: 24, La: 25, Nab1: 22, Nab3: 22, Nas: 25, Ri: 23, SLB: 23, SLH: 25, Wer: 25

² Ha, Hi: hadaya jema

³ Kn2: umbole; Nab1: [umbo la Karima]; Nab3: [umbo kwa Karima]

⁴ Ri: iyayile; Nab1: [uyaliye nyuma]; Nab3: [upasele nyuma]; Nab2: [ayaliye]

⁵ Wer: mutilinga

27. ¹Mafuzi² kad̪iri, ♦ hayakudhihiri³, ♦ kama bilauri ♦ taole kuzinga⁴.

¹ Missing in Ha, Nas = Da: 26, Hi: 26, Kn1: 26, Kn2: 25, La: 26, Nab1: 23, Nab3: 23, Ri: 24, SLB: 24, SLH: 50, Wer: 26

² Nab1: [mavuzi]

³ Nab1, Nab3: [haya kwa kithiri]

⁴ Kn1: huzinga

28. ¹Mikono imiye², ♦ mbinu ziyaliye.³ ♦ Zand̪aze ni ziye⁴ ♦ za t̪’and̪u za mnga⁵.

¹ Missing in Ha, Kn1, Nas = Da: 27, Hi: 27, Kn2: 26, La: 27, Nab1: 24, Nab3: 24, Ri: 25, SLB: 25, SLH: 26, Wer: 27

² Nab3: [imeli]

³ Nab3: [ni ziyale]; Hi: mbinuze iliye

⁴ Nab3: [zile]; Kn2: zanda zinee; SLB: [zandaze ziye]

⁵ Hi: za miwa ya mnga; Kn2: za dandu zanga; Ri: za tandhu za munga; Nab3: [minga]

29. ¹Nyaaze launi² ♦ kama marijani ♦ napa hut̪amani³ ♦ mwenye kuziwenga⁴.

¹ Missing in Ha, Hi, Kn1, Nas, SLB; = Da: 28, Kn2: 27, La: 28, Nab1: 25, Nab3: 25, Ri: 26, SLH: 27, Wer: 28

² Kn2: nyaa za launi; Ri: nyaoze launi

³ Da: mt’u; Ri: namba

⁴ La: mwenyi; Ri: kudhiwenga

30. ¹Makapwaye, nduza, ♦ mat̪o k’ituliza,² ♦ mbwene, ukimeza³ ♦ mt̪e mpakanga⁴.

¹ Missing in Ha, Nas; = Da: 29, Hi: 28, Kn1: 29, Kn2: 28, La: 29, Nab1: 26, Nab3: 26, Ri: 27, SLB: 26, SLH: 28, Wer: 29

² Da, Kn1, Kn2, La, Ri, SLB, SLH, Wer: mt’u; Hi: mtu kitoleza

³ Da: bwene; Kn2: pini; Nab1, Nab3: [mbona]; Ri: mbweni ukimwiza; Hi: ukimiza

⁴ Hi, Kn2, NSh: mti; Ri: mchi mnyakanga

31. ¹Hut̪et̪a² harufu ♦ zaid̪i³ ya afu⁴ ♦ au mat̪ukufu ♦ mafuta⁵ ya Manga.

¹ Missing in Ha, Nas, SLB; = Da: 30, Hi: 29, Kn1: 30, Kn2: 29, La: 30, Nab1: 27, Nab3: 27, Ri: 28, SLH: 29, Wer: 30

² Hi: hutweta; Nab1, Nab3: hutenda; Ri: huleta;

³ Nab3: [ziyada]

⁴ NSh: ufu; Ri: kafu

⁵ Nab1: [mavuta]

32. ¹Naapa wallahi, ♦ asiyo² shabihi,³ ♦ t̪’anena sahihi⁴ ♦ ya makomamanga⁵.

¹ Missing in Ha, Kn1, Nas; = Da: 31, Hi: 30, Kn2: 30, La: 31, Nab1: 28, Nab3: 28, Ri: 29, SLB: 27, SLH: 30, Wer: 31; Kn1: 31 has a mainly different line:
Kamu natamani ¨ maiti launi ¨kama marijani ¨ya makomamanga

² Hi: asiye

³ La: asioshabini; NSh: asiyeshabihi

⁴ Nab1, Nab3, SLB: [tena ni sahihi]

⁵ Nab3: [mkomamanga]

33. ¹Napa siwenepo² ♦ sishuhud̪iepo,³ ♦ matunda ya p’epo ♦ yakwe Mwana Manga.

¹Missing in Ha, Nab1, Nab3, Nas,; = Da: 32, Hi: 31, Kn1: 32, Kn2: 32, La: 32, Ri: 30, SLB: 29, SLH: 31

² Da, Kn1, SLH: sishuhud̪iepo;

³ Da, Kn1, SLH: mi siyaonapo; La, Ri: napa siwenepo; Hi: sishahud̪iyepo; NSh: zishuhud̪iepo

34. ¹Yakiwa nguoni², ♦ hut̪esha³ ♦ Yawapo bayani, ♦ akili hut̪anga.

¹ Missing in Ha, Nab1, Nab3, Nas; = Da: 33, Hi: 32, Kn2: 31, La: 33, Kn1: 33, Ri: 31, SLB: 28, SLH: 32, Wer: 32

² Hi: guuni

³ Da, La, Kn1, Kn2, Wer: hutisha; Ri: hutwesha

35. ¹Ziwavuze nana² ♦ Ziwavu zenana³ ♦ hutesha kuvina⁴ ♦ wenye kumsinga⁵.

¹ Missing in Ha, Kn1, Nas; = Da: 34, Hi: 33, Kn2: 33, La: 34, Nab1: 29, Nab3: 29, Ri: 32, SLB: 32, SLH: 33, Wer: 34

² Da, Nab2, Kn2: sana; NSh, SLH: zana; La: mwana; Ri: dhiwa vudhi dhana; Hi: ziwafuze mwana; Nab1: [na ziwavu nena]; Nab3: [na ziwavu zena]

³ La: zinana; Hi: ziwafu zinana; Ri, NSh: ziwavuze nana; Nab1, Nab3, Kn2, SLB, Wer: (ni) mbavu nyenana

⁴ Da, Kn2, La, Hi, NSh, Wer: hutisha; Ri: hutisha kuvona; Nab1: [hutisha kunena]; Nab3: [kuona]

⁵ La: wenyi; Nab2: [mwenye]; Hi: kumainga; Nab1, Nab3: [kumtenga]

36. ¹Maungo yamile², ♦ sarara zilele³, ♦ hazit’umbalile,⁴ ♦ hazikumpinga⁵.

¹ Missing in Ha, Kn1, Nas, SLB; = Da: 35, Hi: 34, Kn2: 34, La: 35, Nab1: 30, Nab3: 30, Ri: 33, SLB: 33, SLH: 34, Wer: 35

² Da, La, Nab3, NSh: yamele; Ri, Hi: maungo ya mwili

³ Hi: sarari; Ri: zileli

⁴ Hi: hazitombalele; Nab1, Nab3: [hazitowi mbali]; Ri: hazichumbalili

⁵ Hi: hazikumyinga

37. ¹Matumbo makut̪o,² ♦ nd̪iya na³ masit̪⁴ ♦ Kitovu ni kit̪o,⁵ ♦ huvuta k’afunga⁶.

¹ Missing in Ha, Nas; = Da: 36, Hi: 35, Kn1: 36, Kn2: 35, La: 36, Nab1: 32, Nab3: 32, Ri: 34, SLB: 30, SLH: 35, Wer: 36

² Ri: makucho; Hi: mekuto

³ Nab1, Nab3: [ya]

⁴ Ri: masichu; Hi: masita

⁵ Nab1, Nab3: [kuto]; Ri: kichu

⁶ Nab1: [kutunga]; La: kuvuta; Ri: huvucha; Nab3: [uwa la kutunga]

38. ¹Kitovu ni huka ♦ kezo la kimaka.² ♦ Mwenye kukinuk’a³ ♦ p’uwa⁴ d̪amu henga⁵.

¹ Missing in Ha, Kn2, Nas, Ri; = Da: 37, Hi: 36, Kn1: 37, La: 37, Nab1: 31, Nab3: 31, SLB: 31, SLH: 36, Wer: 37

² Hi: kiso la ki-Maka

³ Da, Kn1, Nab2, NSh, SLB, SLH, Wer: kumnuk’a; La, Hi: mwenyi kumnuka

⁴ Nab1, Nab3: [huwa]

⁵ Kn1: kitwa humzenga; Nab2, NSh: yenga; Hi: hwinga

39. ¹T̪’awangu ni zito,² ♦ kwa yao za p’eto³ ♦ t̪ena lina k’eto⁴ ♦ pesi la kuzinga.

¹ Missing in Ha, Nab1, Nab3; = Da: 38, Hi: 37, Kn1: 38, Kn2: 36, La: 38, Nas: 26, Ri: 35, SLB: 34, SLH: 37, Wer: 38

² Nas: tawangu nzito; Ri: tawanga zizichu

³ Da, Hi, Kn2, La,: nyao; SLH: [kayauza peto]; NSh: yuu la; Nas: kwa kuyazwa peto; Ri: kayauza pechu

⁴ Da, Nas: kit̪o; Ri: kichu; Kn2: lina na uketo

40. ¹Wema wa d̪uara ♦ angaliya d̪ira, ♦ usipoid̪ara², ♦ yand̪apo³

¹ Missing in Ha; = Da: 39, Hi: 38, Kn1: 39, Kn2: 37, La: 39, Nab1: 34, Nab3: 34, Nas: 27, Ri: 36, SLB: 35, SLH: 38, Wer: 39

² SLB: [isipoid̪ara]

³ Nab1, Nab3: [mwand̪o]; NSh: yendapo; Ri: yandhapo; SLB: [mwand̪o wa]

41. ¹Na yakwe safina² ♦ nalipoiyona,³ ♦ si nyire⁴, si p’ana⁵ ♦ iyaliye nyonga⁶.

¹ Missing in Ha; = Da: 40, Hi: 39, Kn1: 40, La: 40, Nab1: 33, Nab3: 33, Nas: 28, Ri: 37, SLB: 36, SLH: 39, Wer: 40

² Da, Kn1, La, Ri, Nab2, Kn2, SLB, SLH, Wer: yakwe safina; Nas: yakeye safina

³ Kn1, Kn2, Nas: nilipoiona

⁴ Hi: yiri; Ri: siyonde; Kn2: nyere; Wer: [yire]

⁵ Nas: ni nyire, ni pana; NShs: ni nyire, si pana

⁶ Ri: Yanga; Hi: yunga

42. ¹K’akund̪uwa d̪ume² ♦ matanga yakwime³ ♦ haswa la galime⁴ ♦ shira’a k’asonga⁵.

¹ Missing in Ha; = Da: 41, Hi: 40, Kn2: 39, La: 44, Nab1: 35, Nab3: 35, Nas: 29, Ri: 38, SLB: 37, SLH: 40, Wer: 41

² Da, Kn1, La, Hi: dumi; Nas, NSh: ndume; Nab3: [k’ikunduwa]; Ri: kwa kondoa dume

³ Da, Kn1, SLH: yo kumi; Kn2: ya kuume; La: matangaye kumi; Ri: machanga yakome, Hi: matanga nyokomi

⁴ Da, Kn1, Hi: galimi; Ri: ngalime

⁵ Nab1, Nab3: [kusonga]; Ri: chenda akasonga

43. ¹Kwalina² mawingu ♦ na p’epo nyengwangu,³ ♦  zot̪’e zombo⁴ zangu ♦ k’azifungafunga.

¹ Missing in Ha; = Da: 42, Hi: 41, Kn1: 41, Kn2: 40, Nab1: 36, Nab3: 36, Nas: 30, Ri: 39, SLB: 38, SLH: 41, Wer: 42

² Nas: kuli na; Ri: kalina

³ Ri: na yepoye fungu

⁴ Ri: zambo

44. ¹K’azunguwa bao² ♦ k’apinga Mbwene³ yavutao⁴ mai henda⁵ Manga.

¹ Missing in Ha; = Da: 43, Hi: 42, Kn1: 43, Kn2: 41, La: 45, Nab1: 37, Nab3: 37, Nas: 31, Ri: 40, SLB: 39, SLH: 42, Wer: 43

² Nab1, Nab3: [pao], Hi: mbao

³ Kn2, Ri: kayenga

⁴ Kn2: mbee; Ri: mbwewe; Hi: navutao; Nab1, Nab3: [yafutao]

⁵ Kn1: yenda; Ri: hwenda

45. ¹Ngamani k’angiya² ♦ ili kut̪ungiya³. ♦ K’isa⁴ kuzengeya⁵, ♦ ngama isikwenga.⁶

¹ Missing in Ha; = Da: 44, Hi: 43, Kn1: 44, Kn2: 42, La: 41, Nab1: 38, Nab3: 38, Nas: 32, Ri: 41, SLB 40, SLH: 43, Wer: 44

² Kn2, La, Ri: k’ingia; NSh: k’akingiya

³ Nab1: [kutot5ungiya]; Hi: kutongeya

⁴ Da, La, NSh: khesa; Kn1: kisha;

⁵ Nas: kuzingiya; Ri: kudhengea

⁶ Kn2: isilenga; Ri: ilisinga; Nab1, Nab3: [isotenga]; Nas, NSh: isi kinga; Hi: ngami si kinga

46. ¹K’angia ngamani ♦ k’enda uziwani. ♦ Niiyepo² p’wani, ♦ k’apija mzinga³.

¹ Missing in Ha, Ri; = Hi: 45, Kn1: 45, Kn2: 45, Nab1: 40, Nab2: 47, Nab3: 40, Nas: 34, NSh: 47, SLB: 42, SLH: 45, Wer: 45

2 Kn1: nijiyepo; Kn2: naiyepo; La: niiepo; NSh: nieyepo; SLB: [iyapa]

³ Nab3: [mizinga]

47. ¹Ikimikamika,² ♦ ikinuk’anuk’a³ ♦ vumba la kimaka⁴ ♦ yakwe Mwana Manga⁵.

¹ Missing in Ha, Wer; = Da: 45, Hi: 44, Kn1: 46, Kn2: 43, La: 42, Nab1: 39, Nab2: 46, Nab3: 39, Nas: 33, NSh: 46, Ri: 42, SLB: 41, SLH: 44

² Da, Kn1, La: ikimekameka; Ri: ikimweka mweka; Nab1, Nab3: [ilimekameka]

³ Ri: ikitekateka

⁴ Ri: fumba; Nab1, Nab3: [uvumba wa Maka]

⁵ Nab1, Nab3: [lak(w)e]; Ri: yake mato manga

48. ¹Niinushiyepo² ♦ k’afanya³ kit̪apo ♦ k’asabibu p’epo⁴ ♦ k’ivuza⁵

¹ Missing in Da, Ha, Hi, SLH; = Kn1: 47, Kn2: 44, La: 47, Nab1: 41, Nab3: 41, Nas: 35, Ri: 43, SLB: 43, Wer: 46

² Nab1: [niishiyepo]; NSh: niinusheepo

³ Kn2: hafanya

⁴ Kn1, Ri: kwa sababu; Nas: kasabibua; NSh: papo

⁵ Kn1: kyevuza; Kn2: chefuza; La: kevuza; Nab1: [kan(u)baza]; Nab3: [kambaza]; Ri: chefuza

49. ¹Ziweoze nd̪iwa² ♦ ni³ tako la siwa.⁴ ♦ Wend̪e hula ngowa⁵ ♦ na kumzimnga⁶.

¹ Missing in Ha; = Da: 47, Hi: 46, Kn1: 48, Kn2: 46, La: 48, Nab1: 42, Nab3: 42, Nas: 36, Ri: 44, SLB: 44, SLH: 46, Wer: 47

² Nab1, Nab3: [ziweoza]; Ri: ziwe uzidiwe; Hi: ziweo zidiwa

³ Nab1, Nab3: [na]

⁴ Ri: nitakalo siwe

⁵ Nab2, NSh: wat’u; Hi: nguwa; Ri: ngowe; Kn2: wende hulia; Nas: watu hulanguwa

⁶ Da: kumzinga; Hi: kumzi mnga; Kn1: wakimzinga; Kn2, Nas, NSh: kumzimanga; Nab1, Nab3: [kuzingazinga]; Ri: nakumusimanga; Wer: [kumzimnga]

50. ¹Maondo ni sifa, ♦ yana ma’arifa², ♦ henda kwa misafa ♦ na kuiviringa.³

¹ Missing in Ha; = Da: 48, Hi: 47, Kn1: 49, Kn2: 47, La: 49, Nab1: 43, Nab3: 43, Nas: 37, Ri: 45, SLB: 45, SLH: 47, Wer: 48

² Nas: pana; Nab3: [matarifa]

³ Nab1, Nab3: [huku akizinga]

51. ¹T̪’afuze kad̪iri, ♦ hazikudhihiri² ♦ kowa la zumari³ ♦ taole kuzinga.

¹ Missing in Ha; = Da: 49, Hi: 48, Kn1: 50, Kn2: 48, La: 50, Nab1: 44, Nab3: 44, Nas: 38, Ri: 46, SLB: 46, SLH: 48, Wer: 49

² Nab1, Nab3: [henda kudhihiri]

³ Hi: kuwa la zomari; Nas, Nab2, NSh: hazikudhihiri; Ri: kawa

52. ¹Nyayoze ashashi². ♦ Vaole ni koshi,³ ♦ kazi ya nakishi⁴ ♦ kwa⁵ kazi ya Manga⁶.

¹Missing in Ha; = Da: 50, Hi: 49, Kn1: 51, Kn2: 49, La: 51, Nab1: 45, Nab3: 45, Nas: 39, Ri: 47, SLB: 47, SLH: 49, Wer: 50

² Nab3: ushashi; Hi, Wer: ya Ozi ashashi; SLB: [hashashi]

³ Ri: kushi; Nab1, Nab3: [vao la nakishi]; Hi: kauli nikoshi

⁴ Nab1: [leneyo koshi]; Nab3: [liveelo koshi]

⁵ Nab2, Nas, NSh: ni

⁶ Nab1, Nab3: [kazi ya kimanga]

 

Overview

New	Da	Ha	Hi	Kn1	Kn2	La	Nab1	Nab2	Nab3	Nas	NSh	Ri	SLB	SLH	Wer
1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2
3	3	3	3	3	3	3	3	3	3	3	3	3	3	3	3
4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4
5	5	5	5	5	5	–	5	5	5	5	5	5	–	5	5
6	–	6	6	–	–	5	–	6	–	6	6	–	5	–	–
7	6	7	7	6	6	6	6	7	6	7	7	6	6	6	6
8	7	8	8	7	7	7	7	8	7	8	8	7	7	7	7
9	8	9	9	8	8	8	8	9	8	9	9	8	8	8	8
10	9	10	10	9	9	9	9	10	9	10	10	9	9	9	9
11	10	11	11	10	10	10	10	11	10	11	11	10	10	10	10
12	11	12	12	11	11	11	11	12	11	12	12	11	11	11	11
13	12	13	13	12	12	12	12	13	12	13	13	12	12	12	12
14	13	14	14	13	13	13	13	14	13	14	14	13	13	13	13
15	14	15	15	14	14	14	14	15	14	15	15	–	14	14	14
16	15	16	16	15	15	15	15	16	15	16	16	14	15	15	15
17	16	17	17	16	16	16	16	17	16	17	17	15	–	16	16
18	17	18	18	17	17	17	17	18	17	18	18	16	16	17	17
19	18	19	19	–	18	18	18	19	18	19	19	17	17	18	18
20	19	20	20	–	20	19	–	20	–	20	20	19	18	19	19
21	20	21	21	–	19	20	–	21	–	21	21	18	19	20	20
22	22	22	22	22	22	21	20	23	20	22	23	21	21	22	21
23	21	23	23	21	21	22	19	22	19	23	22	20	20	21	22/20
24	23	–	–	23	–	23	–	24	–	–	24	–	–	23	23
25	24	24	24	24	23	24	21	25	21	24	25	22	22	24	24
26	25	25	25	–	24	25	22	26	22	25	26	23	23	25	25
27	26	–	26	26	25	26	23	27	23	–	27	24	24	50	26
28	27	–	27	–	26	27	24	28	24	–	28	25	25	26	27
29	28	–	–	–	27	28	25	29	25	–	29	26	–	27	28
30	29	–	28	29	28	29	26	30	26	–	30	27	26	28	29
31	30	–	29	30	29	30	27	31	27	–	31	28	–	29	30
32	31	–	30	–	30	31	28	32	28	–	32	29	27	30	31
33	32	–	31	32	32	32	–	33	–	–	33	30	29	31	33
34	33	–	32	33	31	33	–	34	–	–	34	31	28	32	32
35	34	–	33	–	33	34	29	35	29	–	35	32	32	33	34
36	35	–	34	–	34	35	30	36	30	–	36	33	33	34	35
37	36	–	35	36	35	36	32	37	32	–	37	34	30	35	36
38	37	–	36	37	–	37	31	38	31	–	38	–	31	36	37
39	38	–	37	38	36	38	–	39	–	26	39	35	34	37	38
40	39	–	38	39	37	39	34	40	34	27	40	36	35	38	39
41	40	–	39	40	38	40	33	41	33	28	41	37	36	39	40
42	41	–	40	42	39	44	35	42	35	29	42	38	37	40	41
43	42	–	41	41	40	43	36	43	36	30	43	39	38	41	42
44	43	–	42	43	41	45	37	44	37	31	44	40	39	42	43
45	44	–	43	44	42	41	38	45	38	32	45	41	40	43	44
46	46	–	45	45	45	46	40	47	40	34	47	–	42	45	45
47	45	–	44	46	43	42	39	46	39	33	46	42	41	44	–
48	–	–	–	47	44	47	41	48	41	35	48	43	43	–	46
49	47	–	46	48	46	48	42	49	42	36	49	44	44	46	47
50	48	–	47	49	47	49	43	50	43	37	50	45	45	47	48
51	49	–	48	50	48	50	44	51	44	38	51	46	46	48	49
52	50	–	49	51	49	51	45	52	45	39	52	47	47	49	50
				18
				31

 

12. Uten$di wa Mwana Manga

Werner Collection (ms 47795 SOAS)

 

 

 

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Sources:

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

Hi = Hichens (ms 205000 SOAS, p. 160, typed) ‘Gungu la Kukwaa’

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

St = Steere (1870a: 480-483) ‘Gungu la Kukwaa’

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

[av_hr class=’short’ height=’50’ shadow=’no-shadow’ position=’center’ custom_border=’av-border-thin’ custom_width=’50px’ custom_border_color=” custom_margin_top=’30px’ custom_margin_bottom=’30px’ icon_select=’yes’ custom_icon_color=” icon=’ue808′ font=’entypo-fontello’]

1. ¹Mama, nipeka² haowe³ ♦ k’aowe⁴ urembo na shani Ungama,

¹= HH, Tay: 1a-b

² Nab: peleka; St, Hi: nipeeke

³ Nab: k’aowe

⁴ Hi: haoe; missing in Nab

2. ¹Haowe mnara mp’ambe² ♦ mp’ambe³ uzainiweo⁴ hishima

¹ = HH, Tay: 1c,2a

² Hi: mnara (mwari?) mpambe

³ Missing in Nab

⁴ St: uzainyeo; Tay: [wazainio]

3. ¹Na wenye² kupamba³ pambato⁴ ♦ pambato⁵ wavete⁶ vitindi na k’ama

¹= HH, Tay: 2b-c

² St: wenyi

³ Hi: kupambwa

⁴ HH, St, Tay: patoto

⁵ Missing in Nab

⁶ Nab: waveche

4. ¹Wavete² swaufu³ ziemba⁴ ♦ ziemba⁴ na⁵ mikili mbee na nyuma.

¹= HH, Tay: 3a-b

² Nab: [waviye]

³ Nab: [na nguo saufo]

⁴ Missing in Nab

⁵ Nab: ni

5. ¹Wavete² libasi t̪’eule ♦ t̪’eule kwa zitwana mbee na nyuma.

¹Missing in Nab; = HH, Tay: 6a-c

² Tay: [waviye]

6. ¹Wat̪ukuze p’anga na² ngao ♦ na ngao mt’u hut̪osheya³ kuona

¹ Missing in Nab; = HH, Tay: 6d,7a-b

² Missing in St

³ Hi: hutushia

7. ¹Kuyiye Mngazija na k’umbo ♦ na² k’umbo² uyiye kut̪aka harubu

¹Missing in Hi; = Nab: 6, HH, Tay: 3c,4a-b

² Missing in Nab

8. ¹Kuyiye Mgala na mata ♦ na² mata uyiye kut̪aka kuteta

¹Missing in Hi; = HH: 4c-d,5a, Nab: 5, Tay: 4c,5a

² Missing in Nab

9. ¹Tut̪awatiliya ukuta ♦ ukuta wasitungiliye muyini.

¹Missing in Hi, Nab; = HH, Tay: 5b-c

 

Overview

New	HH	Hi	Nab	St	Tay
1	1a,b	1	1	1	1a,b
2	1c,2a	2	2	2	1c,2a
3	2b,2c	3	3	3	2b,2c
4	3a,b	4	4	4	3a,b
5	6a,b,c	5	–	5	6a,b,c
6	6d,7a,b	6	–	6	6d,7a,b
7	3c,4a,b	–	6	7	3c,4a,b
8	4c-d,5a	–	5	8	4c,5a
9	5b-c	–	–	9	5b-c

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1.   Mama, nipeka haowe[1] ♦ k’aowe urembo na shani Ungama,	1.   Mother, take me to see, see the beauty and ornaments at Ungama.
2.   Haowe mnara mp’ambe[2] ♦ mp’ambe uzainiweo[3] hishima	2.   I may marry the dignified lady, the lady, dressed in her garments of honour.
3.   Na wenye kupamba pambato[4] ♦ pambato wavete[5] vitindi[6] na k’ama[7]	3.   And even the ladies-in-waiting were themselves elegantly dressed, elegantly dressed, adorned with bracelets and necklaces,
4.   Wavete swaufu[8] ziemba ♦ ziemba na mikili[9] mbee na nyuma.	4.   making [the men] put on woollen turbans, turbans with their ends hanging by the side and at the back.
5.   Wavete libasi t̪’eule ♦ t̪’eule kwa zitwana mbee na nyuma.	5.   They have worn choice clothes, choice clothes, with a retinue of strong young men in front and behind,
6.   Wat̪ukuze[10] p’anga na ngao ♦ na ngao mt’u hut̪osheya kuona	6.   carrying swords and shields, and shields, astonishing to those who see them.
7.   Kuyiye[11] Mngazija na k’umbo[12] ♦ na k’umbo uyiye kut̪aka harubu	7.   The Comorians came in rage, in rage, determined to start a fight.
8.   Kuyiye Mgala na mata[13] ♦ na mata uyiye kut̪aka kuteta	8.   The Galla came with weapons, with weapons determined to start a fight.
9.   Tut̪awatiliya ukuta ♦ ukuta wasitungiliye muyini.	9.   We will build a wall against them, a wall to prevent them from invading our town.

[1] nikaone.

[2] uliopambwa.

[3] uliotengenezwa vizuri.

[4] mapambo.

[5] wamevaa.

[6] bangili za shaka.

[7] vidani vidogo.

[8] sufu; sufi.

[9] mikia.

[10] Wat̪ukuziye; wamechukua, wamebeba.

[11] kumekuja.

[12] kishindo.

[13] silaha.

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1.   Nat̪ani niliye ♦ nduza niwambiye ♦ simba walifiye[1] ♦ kwa ziwa la Ngozi.	1.   Let me mourn, my kinsmen, and tell you of the lions who have died at Lake Ngozi.
2.   Walifile simba ♦ wanuk’a mavumba ♦ wavund̪ile[2] rimba[3] ♦ mji u kinyezi[4].	2.   The lions died, reeking of an awful smell. They [the enemy warriors] broke the gates [of the town] causing distress in the town.
3.   Walenzele[5] zao ♦ kwa umoya wao ♦ na wasaliyeo[6] ♦ wot̪‘e mbwa t̪’omezi[7].	3.   They passed away together, and those left behind were useless inciters.
4.   Sikayi muyini ♦ hawa kitu d̪uni ♦ nangiya mwituni ♦ haliwa ni mngwa[8].	4.   I will not stay in the city to become a worthless individual, but I would rather go into the forest to be eaten up by the mngwa[9].
5.   Mngwa kinipata ♦ kaninwa mafuta ♦ ni ad̪a ya vita ♦ kuuwawa na ngwa[10].	5.   Should the mngwa seize me and devour my flesh, well, that is the luck of war to die in battle.
6.   Mwanangwa ni fili[11] ♦ hafi kwa ulili ♦ ila fumo kali ♦ liuwalo mwangwa[12].	6.   A noble man is a mighty elephant who does not die in his bed, but struck by a spear, sharp enough even to kill a mwangwa.
7.   Mwanangwa ni fiya[13] ♦ hufa kwa bid̪iya ♦ akenda akiya ♦ hoyo si mwanangwa.	7.   A noble man is a deadly viper who is hard to kill and if it was not so he would not be a noble man.

[1] walikuwa wamekufa.

[2] walikuwa wamevunja.

[3] vizimba.

[4] majonzi.

[5] walikuwa wamekwenda.

[6] waliobakia.

[7] (wote) ni wachochezi.

[8] nunda, mla watu.

[9] A mythical beast.

[10] adui.

[11] ndovu.

[12] mngwa (?).

[13] aina ya nyoka.

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Sources:

Ha = Harris (1962: 147-148) ‘The Warrior Song’

Hi = Hichens (ms 205000 SOAS, p. 73, typed) untitled

Kn = Knappert (1979: 75-76) untitled

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

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1. ¹Nat̪ani² niliye ♦ nduza niwambiye ♦ simba walifiye ♦ kwa ziwa la Ngozi³.

¹ Missing in Ha, Kn

² Hi, Nab: t’anani

³ Hi: Ozi

2. ¹Walifile simba ♦ wanuk’a² mavumba ♦ wavund̪ile³ rimba ♦ mji u kinyezi.

¹ Missing in Ha, Kn

² Hi: wa nuko

³ Hi: wavunzile

3. ¹Walenzele² zao ♦ kwa umoya wao ♦ na wasaliyeo ♦ wot̪’e mbwa t̪’omezi.

¹ Missing in Ha, Kn

² Hi: walenzile

4. ¹Sikayi muyini² ♦ hawa kitu d̪uni ♦ nangiya mwituni ♦ haliwa ni mngwa.

¹ Missing in Hi, Kn; = Ha: 1

² Nab: [mjini]

5. ¹Mngwa kinipata ♦ kaninwa mafuta ♦ ni ad̪a ya vita ♦ kuuwawa na ngwa.

¹ Missing in Hi, Kn; = Ha: 2

6. ¹Mwanangwa ni fili ♦ hafi kwa ulili ♦ ila fumo kali² ♦ liuwalo mwangwa.³

¹ Missing in Hi; = Ha: 3, Kn: 1

² Kn: hufa kwa jabali

³ Nab: macha; Kn: kwalo kondo kali

7. ¹Mwanangwa ni fiya ♦ hufa kwa bid̪iya ♦ akenda akiya ♦ hoyo si mwanangwa.

¹ Missing in Hi, Kn = Ha: 4; Kn adds the following lines of which the first ones correspond to Nr. 7, line 7:

nijiwapo nime ♦ moyo usiname ♦ niwe gombe dume ♦ kiukisha mbuzi ♦ nife dondo wazi ♦ ndi fumo wa Ozi

Overview

New	Hi	Nab	Kn	Ha
1	1	1	–	–
2	2	2	–	–
3	3	3	–	–
4	–	4	–	1
5	–	5	–	2
6	–	6	1	3
7	–	7	–	4
			2		In Utungo wa Ndoto (7): Ha: 7a-d

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1.   Ewe mteshi[1] wa uchi[2] ¨ wa mbata ulio ut̪ungu	1.   O, you, the server of pure palm wine,
2.   Nitekeya wa kikasikini ♦ tesheweo[3] ni[4] mgema wangu	2.   serve me the one from the jar, tapped by my own tapster,
3.   Nitekeya na wa kit̪upani ♦ uyayongao[5] kwa zungu	3.   and that intoxicating wine, bring it in a little flask.
4.   Nitekeya ulio nyunguni ♦ ulopikwa kwa k’uni na nyungu	4.   Pour for me also the one from the earthen pot, brewed and without its lees,
5.   K’ishirabu nikema kuwewa[6] ♦ nilit̪ake embekungu langu	5.   so that when I am well wined, I demand my old hoe.
6.   Embekungu la mani[7] ya chuma ♦ mpiniwe mbwa t̪ungut̪ungu[8]	6.   The old heavy hoe, made of iron, whose handle is made of the mtupa wood,
7.   Embekungu k’angika changoni ♦ pangikwapo siwa na mavungu[9]	7.   the old hoe that hangs on the peg where the royal siwa horn and the quivers are also placed,
8.   Pangikwapo magoma ya ezi ♦ na mawano mawano[10] ya bangu[11].	8.   (and) where the royal drums and battle arms are kept.

[1] mchotaji.

[2] tembo.

[3] uliochotwa.

[4] na.

[5] uyayongao (maguu); ambao unanyong’oneza (miguu).

[6] nikimaliza kulewa.

[7] uzito.

[8] mtupa.

[9] chombo cha kutilia mishale, riaka, ziaka.

[10] mapigano au silaha.

[11] vita.

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Sources:

Hichens (ms 205000 SOAS, p. 164, typed) ‘The Dum-Palm’

Nabahany (ms in Arabic characters) untitled

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1. Ukisifu sifa ya mnazi ya mkoma mle uliweye

2. Ya mkoma shinale ni moya kule yuu t̪’anzu zieneye.

There is no variation in the sequence of lines.

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1.   Ukisifu sifa ya mnazi ya mkoma mle uliweye[1]	1.   You praise (lavishly) the coconut tree – have you forgotten the tall doum tree?
2.   Ya mkoma shinale ni moya kule yuu t̪’anzu zieneye[2].	2.   The stem[3] of the doum tree is the same as that of the coconut palm and as it grows it splits into several branches.

[1] umesahau.

[2] zimeenea.

[3] The Swahili word shina actually designates the stem as well as the roots.

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Sources:

Hi = Hichens (ms 205000 SOAS, p. 161-162, typed) ‘The Song of the Palm’

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

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

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1. P’ani kiti nikaye kitako niwambiye sifa za¹ mnazi

¹ Nab, Tay: [ya]

2. Mti huu wanzapo¹ kumeya makutiye yangapanga wazi

¹Hi, Tay: unzapo

3. Baadaye hushusha kigogo hut̪oleza mapanda na mizi

4. Hat̪imaye hutenda¹ matunda matundaye ina hwitwa² nazi

¹ Tay: [hufanya]

² Hi: kwitwa

5. Huyanguwa hwambuwa makumbi¹ hapikiya wali na mt̪uzi

¹ Hi: makutiye; Nab: [nitakapokwenda hayanguwa]

6. Kifuvuche hat̪onga¹ upawa k’apikiya Sad̪a  muwandazi

¹ Nab: [kigogoche hatunga]; Tay: [hafanya]

7. Na t̪’akize hamwaya yaani kat̪’akuwa¹ jimbi mt̪’akuzi

¹ Hi: katakura

8. Makumbiye hasokot̪a k’amba haundiya sambo¹ na jahazi

¹ Nab: [sambwe]

9. ¹Makutiye hazimbiya nyumba hazuiya p’epo na fusizi

¹ = Tay: 10

10. ¹Kigogoche hafanya² mlango hazuiya harubu na mwizi.

¹ = Tay: 9

² Hi: hafanyia; Tay: [hatonga]

 

Overview

New	Hi	Nab	Tay
1	1	1	1
2	2	2	2
3	3	3	3
4	4	4	4
5	5	5	5
6	6	6	6
7	7	7	7
8	8	8	8
9	9	9	10
10	10	10	9

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1.   P’ani kiti nikaye kitako ♦ niwambiye sifa za mnazi	1.   Give me a seat to sit down, so that I may relate to you the wonderful attributes of the coconut tree;
2.   Mti huu wanzapo kumeya ♦ makutiye yangapanga[1] wazi	2.   when this tree starts to grow, its fronds spread out widely,
3.   Baadaye hushusha kigogo ♦ hut̪oleza mapanda[2] na mizi	3.   later on a strong stem grows with the mapanda[3] and roots;
4.   Hat̪imaye hutenda matunda ♦ matundaye ina hwitwa nazi	4.   finally, it bears fruits which are called coconuts;
5.   Huyanguwa hwambuwa makumbi ♦ hapikiya wali na mt̪uzi	5.   I pick the coconut, remove the husks and (with its milk) I cook rice and curry;
6.   Kifuvuche[4] hat̪onga upawa ♦ k’apikiya Sad̪a muwandazi	6.   its shell is made into a ladle which Sada, the maid, uses to prepare food,
7.   Na t̪’akize hamwaya yaani ♦ kat̪’akuwa jimbi mt̪’akuzi	7.   and I throw away its chaff on the dump where the cock scratches for it,
8.   Makumbiye hasokot̪a k’amba ♦ haundiya sambo na jahazi	8.   and twist the fibres of the husks into ropes which I use in building sea-going vessels;
9.   Makutiye hazimbiya nyumba ♦ hazuiya p’epo na fusizi	9.   Its thatch I use for thatching the roof to ward off winds and breezes,
10.   Kigogoche hafanya mlango ♦ hazuiya harubu na mwizi.	10.   With its stem I make a door to protect myself from invaders and thieves.

[1] yangechanua.

[2] karara.

[3] The tough leathery sheath of the coconut flower stem

[4] kifuu chake.

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1.   P’ani kiti, nikae kitako, ♦ t̪’umbuize wangu Mwana’Nazi,	1.   Give me a chair so that I may sit down[1] ♦ and soothe my Mwana ‘Nazi
2.   T̪’umbuize wangu mwanamke, ♦ mpanguwa hamu na simazi.	2.   That I may soothe my lady ♦ who takes away my longing and sorrow.
3.   Husimama t̪ini mwa mlango, ♦ k’iyawa[2] nd̪e k’enda mat̪embezi,	3.   She stands under the door, ♦ when I go out for a walk.
4.   K’iyawa nd̪e k’angia shughuli, ¨ k’iwambiya wakwe waandazi,	4.   When I go out on business ♦ she tells her servants,
5.   Kawambiya Sada na Rehema ♦ wandaani[3], pasiwe ajizi,	5.   She tells Sada and Rehema, ♦ ‘Prepare the meal, and do not delay,
6.   Wandaani, tendani haraka, ♦ muwandaye wali na mt̪uzi.	6.   Prepare it and make haste ♦ cook rice and curry.’
7.   Akimbona nalilimatiya[4] ♦ kamwondowa chakwe kiyakazi,	7.   If she finds I am late ♦ he sends her maid (saying)
8.   Mwangaliye usita[5] wa yumbe, ♦ au kwao kwa Fumo wa Ozi,	8.   ‘Look for him on the road leading to the palace ♦ or at his homestead , that of the Fumo[6] of Ozi,
9.   Mwangaliye t’engoni[7] pa nduze, ♦ au kwao kwa mama shangazi,	9.   Look for him at the assembly of his brothers ♦ or at his father’s sister.
10.   Kampate, hima uye naye, ♦ watendani hat̪a njeo sizi[8] ?	10.   Go and get him, come with him quickly, ♦ What are you doing till this time?’
11.   Kamwambiya, bwana, wamkuwa[9], ♦ twende hima, sifanye ajizi.	11.   And she tells him, ‘Sir, you are being called ♦ let us go quickly do not delay.
12.   Yunga lako limile tutule[10] ♦ na mat̪oni hut̪uuza t̪ozi.	12.   Your lingering causes her heart to ache ♦ and tears come from her eyes.’
13.   Kamba twende tanguliya, naya, ♦ kamtuze[11] aat̪e simazi	13.   And he said, ‘Let’s go, lead the way and I am coming, ♦ go and comfort her that she may stop grieving.’
14.   Kamwand̪ama nyuma kiyongoya[12], ♦ zikinuk’a misiki[13] na mbazi[14].	14.   And he followed her walking elegantly, ♦ perfumed with musk and ambergris.
15.   Akangiya kampa salamu, ♦ kamjibu mwana wa Hijazi.	15.   He entered [the house] and greeted her, ♦ and the daughter of Hijaz[15] responded to his greetings.
16.   Saa hiyo[16] kondoka akima[17] ♦ kamwand̪ika mkono wa fuzi[18],	16.   At that moment having approached her ♦ he placed his hand on her shoulder.
17.   Kamwombeya Muungu Jabari, ♦ ewe mama, Mola ngwakujazi[19].	17.   He prays for her to God, the Omnipotent, ♦ ‘O, Lady, may God reward you.’
18.   Akinuwa mkonowe mwana ♦ kaupeka yuu la muwanzi.	18.   And then his lady raised up her hand ♦ to the bamboo rail (where clothes were hung)
19.   Akanguwa kisutu cha kaye, ♦ cha kinisi[20] chema mt̪warazi[21],	19.   And took down a kisutu[22] of ancient fabric ♦ with attractive embroideries and patterns.
20.   Kamuweka kituzo cha mat5o, ♦ buni ami, mwana wa shangazi.	20.   The soother of his eyes, the daughter of his aunt, ♦ made him, the son of her uncle, sit down.[23]
21.   Kimwambiya, bwana natukaye, ♦ sime[24] mno, ukat̪aajazi[25].	21.   She told him, ‘My husband, ♦ do not keep on standing, do not hesitate (to relax),
22.   Nitiyani hoyo T̪ime aye, ♦ naanguse[26], at̪e masind̪izi[27].	22.   Call Time, let her come ♦ quickly and let her not tarry.
23.   Apakuwe pilau ya Hind̪i, ♦ mzababu isiyo mt̪uzi.	23.   Let her serve up a dish of Indian pilau ♦ cooked with raisins without curry.
24.   Ete kiti chema cha Ulaya ♦ na siniya njema ya Shirazi.	24.   Bring a fine European chair ♦ and a good Persian tray
25.   Mnakashi inakishiweyo[28] ♦ na sahani hung’ara ja[29] mwezi.	25.   Engraved with fine designs ♦ and a plate shining like the moon.’
26.   Kaamuru hud̪ama na waja, ♦ ai, ninyi, hamt̪umbuizi?	26.   And she ordered the servants and slaves ♦ ‘You, why are you not entertaining (us)?’
27.   Basi, hapo akamwand̪ikiya, ♦ naye T̪ime yushishiye[30] kuzi[31],	27.   Immediately she served him, ♦ while Time held the jug
28.   Yapijeto[32] mayi ya inabu[33] ♦ kimnosha[34] kama mnwa shizi[35].	28.   Full of grape juice. ♦ She made him drink it like a drinker of wine.
29.   Kimlisha akimpa hiba[36] ♦ kimuonya yakeye maozi,	29.   She fed him lovingly ♦ and gave him a meaningful gaze,
30.   Kimlisha t̪ambuu ya Siyu ♦ yi laini laini ya Ozi.	30.   Offering him the special tambuu[37] of Siyu, ♦ as soft as the one from Ozi.
31.   Kiukut̪a[38] k’ono kimwakiza[39], ♦ kwa iliki pamwe[40] na jauzi[41].	31.   She folded it and put it into his mouth ♦ together with cardamom and betel nut.
32.   Nikomele[42] kusifu mmbeja ♦ mt̪eule wangu Mwana ’Nazi.	32.   I have finished praising[43] the lady, ♦ my special one, Mwana ‘Nazi.

[1] Conventional opening of a praise song

[2] nikiondoka.

[3] andaeni.

[4] akiniona nimechelewa.

[5] njia.

[6] Fumo is used as a title for a Swahili ruler, and also as a proper name.

[7] barazani.

[8] wakati huu.

[9] unaitwa.

[10] kuchelewa kwako kumemwelemea na kumtuturisha moyo.

[11] kamtulize.

[12] akenda kwa maringo.

[13] aina ya manukato.

[14] ambari.

[15] The phrase connotes nobility and status.

[16] wakati huo.

[17] akisha kumwendea.

[18] akamwekea mkono begani.

[19] Mungu atakujazi.

[20] cha kianisi ?

[21] kilichofumwa.

[22] Cloth with repetitive designs of dark red colours worn by women

[23] This describes cross cousin marriage which is popular among the Swahili.

[24] usisimame.

[25] ukafanya ajizi.

[26] afanye upesi.

[27] usingizi.

[28] iliyonakishiwa.

[29] kama.

[30] ameshika.

[31] mfano wa gudulia.

[32] yaliyojazwa vizuri.

[33] zabibu.

[34] akimnywesha.

[35] anayekunywa tembo kali.

[36] chakula cha tunu.

[37] A preparation consisting of the betel leaf as a base, mixed with lime and other ingredients such as cardamom, betel nut, etc. It is formed into a triangularshape and chewed as a stimulant.

[38] akiukunja.

[39] akimtilia mdomoni.

[40] pamoja.

[41] popoo.

[42] nimekwisha.

[43] Conventional closing of a praise song

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