Dialogic poem
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Material Information

Title:
Dialogic poem MS 14
Series Title:
Allen Collection : Photographic enlargments of M1008 (Swahili and Arabic manuscripts)
Creator:
Mohammed, Mohammed, Sheikh ( Author, Primary )
Tahir, Ali Mohammed ( contributor )
Publication Date:
Language:
Swahili
Materials:
Paper ( medium )
Technique:
Handwritten manuscript : Copy of microfilm therefore slightly gray, readable arabic script

Subjects

Subjects / Keywords:
Swahili poetry ( LCSH )
Religious poetry ( LCSH )
Islam ( LCSH )
Religious belief
Imani za kidini
Uislamu
Kiswahili mashairi
Faith ( LCSH )
Genre:
Poem
Shairi
Poetry ( LCTGM )
Shayari
Spatial Coverage:
Africa -- Tanzania -- Pwani Region -- Eastern Africa -- Mafia District -- Mafia Island
Coordinates:
-7.85 x 39.783333

Notes

Abstract:
This poem does not have a title, nor author’s name, and does not start from the beginning. It is a dialogic poem where one verse is the question, Swala, and the following verse provides the answer, Jawabu. By the letter S, which stands for Swala, we also find the letter O in Arabic that could be the initial of the person asking the questions. The same for the letter J, which stands for Jawabu, where we find the letter M. The questions are about problematic religious issues and the answers try to provide explanations on such issues. For instance, the first few verses discuss about Adam and Eve and the legitimacy of Eve’s father. The second two verses tells that the Quran is one of those things that even if you use it will never finish, i.e. the endurance of the sacred book. The poem is written in Arabic script, with some part of the text slightly unreadable, in KiAmu dialect, with many Arabic loans. ( en )
General Note:
Biographical information: Mohammed Sheikh Mohammed, Liwali of Mafia. Ali Mohammed Tahir of Mombasa
General Note:
Date of Composition is unknown
General Note:
Languages: Swahili (Arabic script)
General Note:
Dialects: KiAmu
General Note:
Poetic Form: Shairi
General Note:
Donated to SOAS in 1982
General Note:
Extent: 4 pages
General Note:
Incipit: S-Hini ni hajabu gani, mtu kukosa mama, fulani akanambia kwa hima baba ni pete lakini mama sikusoma
General Note:
Other copy: SOAS University of London microfilm: SOAS University of London microfilm: M1008, reel 1
General Note:
Africa -- Eastern Africa -- Tanzania -- Pwani Region -- Mafia District -- Mafia Island
General Note:
Africa -- Eastern Africa -- Kenya -- Mombasa County -- Mombasa

Record Information

Source Institution:
SOAS University of London
Holding Location:
Archives and Special Collections
Rights Management:
This item may be in the public domain. Its status has yet to be assessed.
Resource Identifier:
MS 279888-Vol.2 ( SOAS manuscript number )
MS 14 ( SOAS manuscript number )