Hadithi ya Liyongo and Mashairi ya Liyongo (MS 53492b)
Permanent Link:

Material Information

Title:
Hadithi ya Liyongo and Mashairi ya Liyongo (MS 53492b)
Series Title:
Hichens Collection :
Creator:
Hichens, William, -1944 ( Author, Primary )
Liongo Fumo ( contributor )
Publication Date:
Language:
Swahili
Materials:
Paper ( medium )
Technique:
Typescript manuscript : Black ink on paper; photos included; bounded book with blue cover

Subjects

Subjects / Keywords:
Oral history ( LCSH )
Oral literature
Swahili poetry ( LCSH )
Legends ( LCSH )
Kiswahili mashairi
Oral tradition in literature ( LCSH )
Liongo Fumo ( DNB )
Fumo Liyongo
Spatial Coverage:
Africa -- Kenya -- Lamu County -- Eastern Africa -- Shanga -- Pate Island -- Shanga Ruins
Coordinates:
-2.135 x 41.06467

Notes

Abstract:
As noted in the previous record of this MS, an extensive description of the material contained here is to be found in MS 205000. In this second part of MS 53492, we find the famous ‘Hadithi ya Liyongo’, with translation. This translation is rather different to the translations of the same Hadithi in Mss 205000 and 53493. Here, there is a much greater adaptation in the English version, to create a better rhyming pattern, although it is not strictly literal. Regarding both the original and the translation, the cataloguers have noted a few points: In Stanza 11, Kipande 2, instead than ‘ni yani’, it should be ‘ni nani’, or ‘nyani’ (kiTikuu); in Kipande 3, ‘hayayulikani’ should be rendered ‘hayulikani’. In Stanza 38, Kipande 3, the term ‘zyungu’ should be ‘zungu’, and in Kipande 4 ‘mabwe’ should be ‘mawe’ or ‘majiwe’. In Stanza 41, Kipande 3, ‘tumweke’ should be ‘tumuweke’, and in Stanza 48, Kipande 4, ‘sote’ should be ‘zote’. In Stanza 62, Kipande 4, the verb ‘kuwangaliya’ should be ‘kuwangulia’. In Stanza 63, Kipande 3, the verbal root ‘-shufu’ is a word of Arabic origin that has not become a loan, yet in Swahili. However, it can be used, in poetry, if a rhyming pattern is necessary. In Stanza 71, Kipande 2, rather than ‘Hila’ it should be ‘Hela’. In Stanza 73, Kipande 4, ‘kukizengeya’ should be ‘tukizengea’, and in Stanza 75, Kipande 4, ‘kuzengea’ should be ‘kukuzengea’. In Stanza 76, Kipande 2, ‘hapa’ should be ‘hapana’. In Stanza 82, Kipande 3, instead than ‘Naazima’ it should be either ‘Na azima’ or ‘Naazimu’. In Stanza 102, Kipande 2, instead than ‘kuti’ it should be ‘chakula’. After the hadithi, in the same order as in the related Mss mentioned, we find the takhmisi entitled ‘Mashairi ya Liyongo Fumo’ by Sayyid Abdallah bin Ali bin Nasir, with translation. For more information see MS 205000e. ( en )
General Note:
Biographical information: Fumo Liyongo is a mythical Swahili poet and hero, and it is tought that he composed many oral songs and poems narrating about his life time, which is around the 12th and 13th century. For more information on Liyongo, see the field ‘relevant publication’.
General Note:
Date of Composition is unknown
General Note:
Languages: Swahili (Roman script)
General Note:
Dialects: KiAmu
General Note:
Poetic Form: Various
General Note:
Extent: 73 leaves
General Note:
Incipit: We have noted in the previous chapter how the history of Liyongo was recorded by the Swahili poets in more than one ancient hadithi
General Note:
See SOAS University of London manuscripts MS 205000, MS 53493
General Note:
Purchased from Kegan Paul, 6 October 1948
General Note:
VIAF (name authority) : Hichens, William, -1944 : URI http://viaf.org/viaf/250560982
General Note:
VIAF (name authority) : Liongo Fumo : URI http://viaf.org/viaf/225493124
General Note:
Africa -- Eastern Africa -- Kenya -- Lamu County -- Shanga -- Shanga Ruins -- Pate Island
General Note:
Africa -- Eastern Africa -- Tanzania -- Manyara Region -- Siu District
General Note:
Africa -- Eastern Africa -- Kenya -- Lamu County -- Pate -- Pate Island
General Note:
Publication information: Muhammad bin Abu Bakr Kijumwa. 196-?. Utenzi wa Fumo Liongo. Dar es Salaam: East African Swahili Committee.
General Note:
Publication information: Mbele, Joseph L. 1986. The Liongo Fumo epic and the scholars. Kiswahili 53 (1-2): 128-145.
General Note:
Publication information: Werner, Alice. 1928. The Swahili saga of Liyongo Fumo. Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies 4: 247-255.
General Note:
Publication information: Knappert, Jan. 1987. Four Centuries of Swahili Verse. Heinemann Educational Books Ltd, London. pp. 66-101
General Note:
Publication information: Knappert, Jan. 1983. Epic Poetry in Swahili and Other African Languages. Ch 6. E.J. Brill, Leiden. pp.142-168

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 53492 ( SOAS manuscript number )
MS 53492b ( SOAS manuscript number )