Cassava From Jang'ombe
Taarab song by Siti Binti Saad (1880 - 1950)
Cassava from Jang'ombe, I haven't licked the spoon.
Don't curse at the midwives while you still have a womb.
I'll give away the ending. I won't buy any cassava.
It wasn't Maimuna who pulled it up from the soil.
She caught chicken pox and now she's sick with measles.
Cassava from Jang'ombe, I haven't licked the spoon.
Don't curse at the midwives while you still have a womb.
Eating pearls, eating pearls, the cooking pot's convulsion.
A cap with all its stitching, sumptuously embroidered.
It's me, it's me! I'm the one with the oil-lamp chimney.
Cassava from Jang'ombe, I haven't licked the spoon.
Don't curse at the midwives while you still have a womb.
When God wants to bless you, he doesn't bring you a letter.
He gives it to you in your sleep without you knowing better.
Rushing isn't receiving; you stress out for nothing.
Cassava from Jang'ombe, I haven't licked the spoon.
Don't curse at the midwives while you still have a womb.
When the bow-legged man comes, he takes any shortcut.
I lay out my conscience, unlatching my baubles.
God, I changed my mind. No creature has just one mate.
Cassava from Jang'ombe, I haven't licked the spoon.
Don't curse at the midwives while you still have a womb.
Go tie that goat! Go tie him, that goat of Athumani.
Tie him up or tie him down, some place where it's grassy.
Running from stern to bow only lands you in the bilge.
Cassava from Jang'ombe, I haven't licked the spoon.
Don't curse at the midwives while you still have a womb.
I lust not, I lust not. I don't wish to be cheated.
I'm clever, far too clever to ever wind up cheated.
Be choosy, be choosy. For two is never charming.
Cassava from Jang'ombe, I haven't licked the spoon.
Don't curse at the midwives while you still have a womb.
Why does all this blood spill when there is no trouble?
You will hold the spoon carefully when it's time to ladle.
If you crave the burnt crust, you will only pierce the pot.
Cassava from Jang'ombe, I haven't licked the spoon.
Don't curse at the midwives while you still have a womb.
I ask about these issues, but none of you give me answers.
After people eat their fill, they turn to gossip and slander.
But when no drum is beating, how will the devil ride you?
Cassava from Jang'ombe, I haven't licked the spoon.
Don't curse at the midwives while you still have a womb.
The Song of the Trees
Song by an unknown author
“Taylor" (or “Tela” in the original text) refers to William Ernest Taylor (1856 - 1927), a British missionary and scholar of Swahili poetry who lived in Mombasa at the end of the 19th century. His habit of translating Christian hymns into Swahili and performing them in public places inspired Mombasa's poets to compose mocking retorts. This line echoes the chorus of one such song warning about his blasphemy.
Yesterday I saw something messed up
Again you geniuses, tell me what's up
Date Palm and Lime Tree were beating each other up.
Suddenly Guava Tree came running
Behind it Mango Tree was fuming
And Grapevine spoke, “It's dumb to say nothing.”
Next up Trouble Tree gave witness
Its face bristling with fierceness
As it told Guava Tree, “For us, life's no picnic.”
Right then Chili Pepper came to see
And there declaring its animosity
Swore up and down, “I don't give a damn about you, trees!”
Shortly before they were all sapped
Yonder one more tree on the path
It was Pigeon-Pea with a shield and machete to flash:
“War! we're not afraid to get murdered
Bow! with bows and arrows we're girded.”
When Baobab passed by, it stood a moment then blurted,
“Hey now what's with your ludicrous racket?
Taylor could make you look like a dimwit;
There's one tree who's even slicker than the rabbit.
This trunk holds all the truth I have fathomed
So fine I know the crux of our problem:
That Pumpkin is the creeper who garnished all these blossoms.”
It's No Big Deal To Catch Some Fish
Poem by Muyaka bin Haji al-Ghassaniy (1776 - 1840)
All you fishermen these days don't know the right way to fish.
You're so inured to your ways. Forsaking them is anguish.
You get some chow on your plates to mix with rice and relish.
The biggest catch is rubbish. What counts is how you share it.
While bringing in your catch there, old salts and junior pupils
As you stand beside your gear, reeling in lines and seagulls
Remember it's best to share; everyone gets their handful.
A big catch isn't useful. What counts is how you share it.
So think about it seafolk, with cargo ships or dinghies
When you go around the coast, sleep in all sorts of shanties
You stay so long at your posts, like Mtwapa at Hurumzi
A big catch isn't fancy. What counts is how you share it.
You're devoted to your craft, like the child of a blacksmith.
But sharing just makes you laugh. You start to act so tactless.
Once Ngozoa's straits have passed, you pretend to be distracted.
It's no big deal to catch some fish. What counts is how you share it.
Fishing at Iwe-Tini isn't like fishing Uvuzi,
Mkuna, Mashimoni, Chongoma or Tatazi.
That spot in Kudondoani is only good for anchovies.
A big catch is no trophy. What counts is how you share it.
At Mradi, Milizani, the cashew and coconut trees
At Kisiwa, Uwaani, and where the cuttlefish breed
You keep your paddle handy while you whistle melodies.
Your catch is not your legacy. What counts is how you share it.
An oar is like fatty meat; it leaves you feeling punished.
Rowing makes your arms weak while your shoulders languish.
But the fish are yours to seek, jumping in front of your eyelids.
A big catch isn't stylish. What counts is how you share it.
You Might Walk On Land, Hippo
Poem by Muyaka bin Haji al-Ghassaniy (1776 - 1840)
It's not my predilection to refrain from malice
Controlling my affection gives my writing its purpose
Pay donkeys no attention; they don't know their own target
Wander, hippopotamus. But your home is the water.
Don't wear yourself out scaling and descending mountain heights
You'll only wind up failing and be drained of all your might
If you get bored of wading, then rise up and be a fright!
Hippo, you might walk alright. But your home is in the water.
Sharks are good at growing fins, but so are tiny minnows
Jumping and spreading your wings hardly makes you a hero
Paying debt will save your skin and keep you out of limbo.
You might walk on land, hippo. But your home is in the water.
Amina
Poem by Shaaban Robert (1909 - 1962)
Amina you left my sight, leading the way to death
Like a bloom shutting tight, the same day it effloresced
I'm praying for you, my light, that paradise grants you rest
The knot of love we fastened, there's no one to untie
I wanted to see you stand, and lift you up with my pleas
I didn't want you to end, carried away by disease
But with His merciful hand, God picked you out as he pleased
The knot of love we fastened, there's no one to untie
My grief cannot be worded, each moment reminiscent
My thoughts cannot be herded, reliving dreamy visions
I didn't know what death did, how it could end existence
The knot of love we fastened, there's no one to untie
I don't believe souls decay, or spirits disappear
We tag along to be saved, until the beyond comes near
My love you are on your way, approaching celestial spheres
The knot of love we fastened, there's no one to untie
There's one thing I remember. I know it for a fact, dear
Now you may truly enter that place where pain won't matter
That's why I feel such pleasure, although I must stay back here
The knot of love we fastened, there's no one to untie
What I have composed is done. I'm sending my prayers to you
The day dust gathers as one, and souls are given back too
And death itself is withdrawn, that's when our love is renewed
The knot of love we fastened, there's no one to untie
[O Tapper of Palm Wine]
Poem by an unknown author
O tapper of palm wine from a coconut so ripe it's bitter
Decant from my jug what was drawn by my own tapper
Decant from my flask what makes a man spin and stagger
Decant from an earthen pot what's been boiled of all its vigor
I'll drink until I stand up drunk shouting for my sharpened saber
My hefty whetted saber with its hilt of euphorbia fiber
My saber hangs on a peg beside ivory trumpet and buffalo antler
There beside the royal drums and charmed spear-shafts of warfare
My Old Dowry Chest
Taarab song by Abd al-Rahim Sa'id Muhammad BaSalim (1920 - 1978)
My old dowry chest lost its hasp, you see?
It locks from inside, and here is the key
So who jimmied it? He's broken its feet
Its shape is antique, not like modern crap
Crafted overseas, not Mombasan hacks
But don't make a fuss; I spent too much cash
Oh pigeons today, what's with them today?
Any rice I cook fills my in-law's plate
I won't reach Muscat with my pigeon today
The old artisans are almost extinct
Those who stuck around vanished in a blink
Just cheap trash remains – so shoddy, I think
My camphor-lined chest, so firm in my grasp
Redolent of berries when it's unlatched
And scented with cloves, no rosewater splash
This chest is veneered with figs and ripe grapes
Nicely-rounded limes grow plump in their case
While bejeweled eyes are engraved in her face
Oh pigeons today, what's with them today?
Any rice I cook fills my in-laws' plates
I won't reach Muscat with my pigeon today
Muhogo wa Jang'ombe
Muhogo wa Jang'ombe, sijauramba mwiko
Usitukane wakunga na uzazi ungaliko
Kaditamati naapa, muhogo sitanunua
Haikuwa Maimuna aliyekwenda ung'oa
Kapata tete kuanga na ugonjwa wa shurua
Muhogo wa Jang'ombe, sijauramba mwiko
Usitukane wakunga na uzazi ungaliko
Kula dori kula dori, mshindo wa sufuria
Bulibuli bulibuli, kofia ina viua
Ndiye mimi ndiye mimi nipataye ukowa
Muhogo wa Jang'ombe, sijauramba mwiko
Usitukane wakunga na uzazi ungaliko
Mungu akitaka kupa, hakuletei barua
Hukupa usingizini, pasi mwenyewe kujua
Kwenda mbio si kupata, bure unajisumbua
Muhogo wa Jang'ombe, sijauramba mwiko
Usitukane wakunga na uzazi ungaliko
Mkato wake matege wakati anapokuja
Naliiweka dhamiri ya kumvulia koja
Wallahi nimeghairi, kiumbe hana mmoja
Muhogo wa Jang'ombe, sijauramba mwiko
Usitukane wakunga na uzazi ungaliko
Kamfunge kamfunge, beberu wa Athumani
Umfunge umfunge pahala panapo jani
Endaye tezi na omo atarejea ngamani
Muhogo wa Jang'ombe, sijauramba mwiko
Usitukane wakunga na uzazi ungaliko
Sina ngoa sina ngoa, kuhadaiwa sitaki
Ni mwerevu ni mwerevu, wala sihadaiki
Pambanua pambanua, viwili havipendeki
Muhogo wa Jang'ombe, sijauramba mwiko
Usitukane wakunga na uzazi ungaliko
Ya nini kutakadamu kwa jambo lisilokuwa
Utahadhari na mwiko wakati wa kupakua
Ukitamani makoko chungu utakitoboa
Muhogo wa Jang'ombe, sijauramba mwiko
Usitukane wakunga na uzazi ungaliko
Nauliza masuala, hamnambii jamani
Watu wake wakishiba huzidi umaluuni
Pahala pasipo ngoma, hupandwaje na shetani
Muhogo wa Jang'ombe, sijauramba mwiko
Usitukane wakunga na uzazi ungaliko
Wimbo wa Miti
Yana niwene kisa adhimu
Tena tafusirini walimu
Miti yalikipijana mtendeti na mdimu
Hima ukaya mbiyo mpwera
Nyuma muembe una hasira
Mzabibu ukisema kunyamaa ni ujura
Mara ukadhihiri mtesi
Sura zina ushiu na kasi
Ukiwambiya mpwera kwetu hakuna rakhisi
Papo ukaya mpilipili
Hapo ukinena kwa ukali
Ukiapa kwa ziyapo miti pia siijali
Punde wasiyesa kani zao
Nde wawene mti uyao
Nao ni mberemende una panga na ngao
Zita hatuchi twapo uwawa
Uta na zembe tumetukuwa
Mbuyu ulipopita ukasimama kwa muwa
Hela watani yenu mayowe
Tela bure asiwazuzuwe
Kuna mti una hila humshinda kitunguwe
Shina la mambo haya nayuwa
Sawa nimeziye kutambuwa
Muyungu ndio fitina waloalisha mauwa
Kuvua Numbi Si Kazi
Enywi wavuvi wa leo kuvua hamkuwezi
Ni neno mzoleo, kuliwata ni majonzi.
Mwapata na kialio cha wali na mtuzi
Kuvua numbi si kazi, kuu ni magawioni!
Numbi pale mvuapo, mafundi na wanafunzi;
Mkisimama na t'apo mkivuta ngwe na k'ozi
Bora ni mgawanyapo kula mt'u shazi shazi
Kuvua numbi si kazi, kuu ni magawioni.
Zingatiani wanap'wa wenye sambwe na jahazi;
Mzungukapo na up'wa mkilalia malazi
Mwenenda mkioa-p'wa mtwapa nda Hurumzi
Kuvua numbi si kazi, kuu ni magawioni.
Mumejifunga kuvua kina Mwana Muhunzi
Kwawanya kwawasumbua, wat'u hamuwamaizi
Mkishafika Ngozoa hufumba yenu maozi
Kuvua numbi si kazi, kuu ni magawioni
Mavua ya Iwe-T'ini si mavua ya Uvuzi
Mkuna na Mashimoni Chongoma hata T'atazi
Ni kuko Kudondoani vidagaa na ukuzi
Kuvua numbi si kazi, kuu ni magawioni.
Mradi na Milizani Kaarashoni na Mnazi
Kisiwa na Uwaani hata Koo la Mkizi
Ni kasia mkononi na nyimbo na t'umbuizi
Kuvua numbi si kazi, kuu ni magawioni.
Kasia ni nyama nono, haliati kinaizi
Na kulegeza mikono, kunyong'onyeza mafuzi;
Na mavuo ni hayano, upeoni mwa mazoi
Kuvua numbi si kazi, kuu ni magawioni.
Ungenda Juu Kibok'o
Maovu kutoyatenda si yangu mimi matako;
Na mtima kuushinda ndiyo yangu maandiko.
Msinadhari ni p'unda msikujua endako!
Ungenda juu kibok'o, makazi yako ni pwani!
Sijisumbue kupanda milima na t'eremko!
Mwishowe vitakushinda, zishilize nguvu zako!
Utamani la kutenda, wondokee pujuliko!
Ungenda juu kibok'o, makazi yako ni pwani!
Mkuza pezi ni p'apa, nyama pia wangawako;
Kuruka na kujitupa ni kuwaonya vituko.
Akopaye akilipa epukene na sumbuko.
Angenda juu kibok'o, makazi yakwe ni pwani!
Amina
Amina umejitenga, kufa umetangulia,
Kama ua umefunga, baada ya kuchanua,
Nakuombea mwanga, Peponi kukubaliwa,
Mapenzi tuliyofunga, hapana wa kufungua.
Nilitaka unyanyuke, kwa kukuombea dua,
Sikupenda ushindike maradhi kukuchukua,
Ila kwa rehema yake, Mungu amekuchagua,
Mapenzi tuliyofunga, hapana wa kufungua.
Majonzi hayaneneki, kila nikikumbukia,
Nawaza kile na hiki, naona kama ruia,
Mauti siyasadiki, kuwa mwisho wa dunia,
Mapenzi tuliyofunga, hapana wa kufungua.
Nasadiki haziozi, roho hazitapotea,
Twafuata wokozi, kwa mauti kutujia,
Nawe wangu penzi, Peponi utaingia,
Mapenzi tuliyofunga, hapana wa kufungua.
Jambo moja nakumbuka, sahihi ninalijua,
Kuwa sasa umefika, ta'bu isikosumbua,
Kwayo nimefurahika, nyuma nilikobakia,
Mapenzi tuliyofunga, hapana wa kufungua.
Ninamaliza kutunga, kwa kukuombea dua,
Vumbi tena likiunga, roho likirudishiwa,
Mauti yakijitenga, mapenzi yatarejea,
Mapenzi tuliyofunga, hapana wa kufungua.
[Ewe mteshi wa uchi]
Ewe mteshi wa uchi wa mbata ulio utungu
Nitekea wa kikaskini tesheweo ni ngema wangu
Nitekea wa kitupani uyayongao kwa zungu,
Nitekea ulio nyunguni ulopikwa kwa kunyinywa nyungu
Hishirabu nikema kuwewa nilitake embekungu langu,
Embekungu la mani ya tuma mpiniwe mba tungutungu.
Embekungu kangika changoni pangikwapo siwa na mavungu
Pangikwapo magoma ya ezi na mawano-mawano ya bangu
Kasha Langu la Zamani
Kasha langu la zamani Kasha lisilo t'umbuu
Kitasa ndani kwa ndani Na ufunguo ni huu
Alofunguwa n'nani Amelivunja maguu
Kasha muundo wa kale Si muundo wa kisasa
Ni kazi ya watu wale Si hali ya kiMombasa
Usifanye makelele Melipa mengi mapesa
Aah na njiwa leo, Aah na njiwa leo
Sipiki chungu hamnyima mkwe
Sendi manga na njiwa leo
Mafundi wote wa kale Kwa hivi sasa hakuna
Na walobaki wafile Kabisa hutawaona
Ilobaki npulele Na kazi sijaiona
Kasha langu la mkafuu Madhubuti sawasawa
Lenya harufu ya fuu Kula ukilifunguwa
La nukiya karafuu Na waridi isotiwa
Kifuwa cha kasha hilo Zabibu t'osa na tini
Mviringo ndimu zalo Wanda mwake kifuwani
Mato johari iyalo Umbiwa mwake usoni
Aah na njiwa leo, Aah na njiwa leo
Sipiki chungu hamnyima mkwe
Sendi manga na njiwa leo