|
|
- Permanent Link:
- http://digital.soas.ac.uk/LSMD000182/00001
Notes
- Abstract:
- This manuscript narrates a history of Siu. Although Muhuammad Kijumwa, the scribe, does not state this, the manuscript would seem to a be a compilation of material from local historians, or Kijumwa’s rendering of a generally accepted historical narrative. The substance of the narrative is as follows. Sultan Said bin Sultan of Unguja (‘Sultani Wasawahili na Waarabu’) demanded of Sultan Ahmad bin Sheikh of Pate and Bwana Mataka of Siu an annual tribute of 1,000 riales each. Sultan Ahmad bin Sheikh was inclined to reject such an arrangement, because, he said, he was a ruler of equal status to Sultan Said. Bwana Mataka believed that payment would be wise for a time. He consulted the elders of Siu, who raised 1,000 riales. These were paid to Zena, the representative of Sultan Said. For three years the people of Siu paid this tribute. By that time they had managed to purchase 1,000 guns, and the elders told Bwana Mataka to convey to Zena that they would no longer pay. When Zena arrived to collect, he was received with the usual courtesies. But on the third day a dance with swords was performed before Zena. The song accompanying it expressed rebellion against Sultan Said. Asked if he understood the song, Zena replied that he did not know Swahili. An interpreter rendered the words in Arabic. Zena departed and returned with 1,000 rifles of his own. In the ensuing war, many of his forces were killed by the people of Siu, and many became captives. These last were sent in matepe boats to Kibokoni, where they married. This, it is asserted, is why the Waboni are pale in colour. Muhammad Kijumwa writes that many people died in the war, including his great grandfather (‘babake mamake mamangu’). People of Lamu joined battle against the citizens of Siu. The forces of Sultan Said made fortresses for themselves. Amir Hamad, their outstanding fighter, was adept at deflecting arrows with his sword. But at last an arrow passed through him and he died. After the death of their greatest soldier, the Arabs determined to return to Unguja. Soon after that, Bwana Mataka died; and within a year Said bin Sultan died also. Songs associated with this narrative appear in red ink. ( en )
- General Note:
- Biographical information: Muhammad Kijumwa was born circa 1855 in Lamu. He was a poet, scribe, peformer calligrapher, carpenter, tailor and sculptor who taught his son, Helewa, the craft of decorative woodcarving. He assisted many Eurpoean scholars of Swahili literature, including William Taylor, Alice Werner, Carl Meinhof, H.E. Lambert, William Hichens, Ernst Dammann and John Williamson, and was a well-known character in Lamu.
- General Note:
- Date of Composition: circa 1935? AD (circa 1354? A.H.)
- General Note:
- Languages: Swahili (Arabic script)
- General Note:
- Extent: 8 pages
- General Note:
- Incipit: Al-Sultan Sa’id bin Sultan ibniI Imam Sultani wa Sawahili na wa ‘Arabu
- General Note:
- VIAF (name authority) : Kijuma, Muhammad : URI http://viaf.org/viaf/43775563
- General Note:
- Donated by Mrs E. Hichens, June 1945
- General Note:
- Africa -- Eastern Africa -- Tanzania -- Manyara Region -- Siu District
- General Note:
- Scribe: Kijuma, Muhammad
- General Note:
- Publication information: Salim, Ahmed I.1978. People of the Coast: Swahili. Evans BrOthers Ltd, Nairobi. ch. 6
- General Note:
- Publication information: Biersteker, A. 1996. Kijibizana. Michigan State University Press. ch. 5
- General Note:
- Publication information: Abdulaziz, M.1979. Muyaka.19th century Swahili popular poetry. Kenya Literature Bureau, Nairobi. part 2
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 47779 ( SOAS manuscript number )
MS 47779a ( SOAS manuscript number )
|
|
