About Unknown Authors

The author of “The Song of the Trees” is unknown, though it was likely composed by a woman in the late 19th century (when missionary scholar William Ernest Taylor, whose name is invoked in the song, was posted in Kenya). Joseph L. Mbele cites the Lamu poet Zaharia Maimun as explaining that this song was frequently sung by women at Kenyan weddings in the past, and it was composed as a parable to resolve a period of infighting among local women.

 

The author of “[O Tapper of Palm Wine]” is unknown, though it is often apocryphally attributed to Fumo Liyongo, who may have been apocryphal himself. He was reputedly a warrior and king from the island of Pate, probably during the 13thcentury, and he is featured as the protagonist in many Swahili epic poems and wedding songs. The language suggests this work was likely composed in the 18th century, though it could have been stylistically updated from earlier, more archaic versions.