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- Permanent Link:
- http://digital.soas.ac.uk/LSMD000257/00001
Material Information
- Title:
- Mashairi ya Siu (MS 53825b)
- Series Title:
- Hichens Collection : Swahili Poetry
- Creator:
- [s.n.]
- Publication Date:
- [n.d.]
- Language:
- Swahili
- Materials:
- Paper ( medium )
- Technique:
- Typescript manuscript Typescript with black ink on thick papers bounded in a black cover’s volume
Notes
- Abstract:
- The second part of this unusual collection of free-verse poetry contains traditional poems from Siu. Here, as in the previous item, the collection is taken from Judge Hamilton’s book. These short poems deals with traditional and historical issues relating to the Lamu archipelago area, and the island of Siu in particular. The language used is KiSiu. As opposed to the modern poetry of the previous item, these are narrative poems that draw on the author’s experience. Typically each section of a poem treats a particular event. The rhyming system is retained, as well as the use of metaphors, typical of traditional poetry. However, the verse structure is not that found in standard traditional poetry with 8 lines per stanza. Each stanza decribes one event. However, the events are not strictly related to each Other, and are not consequential. For instance, in the stanzas numbered 4 to 7, the author describes the military power of the British colonial administration, and the District commissioner of Lamu, referred as Bwana Rajishi. Stanza 10 describes the high social class of the Waungwana. In Stanza 65, the author calls the audience with the sound of the UPATU (traditional brass drum) in order to start the ngoma dance. When the ngoma starts the author sings about various social issues, using elaborate metaphors. ( en )
- General Note:
- Date of Composition is unknown
- General Note:
- Languages: Swahili (Roman script)
- General Note:
- Dialects: KiSiu
- General Note:
- Poetic Form: Shairi
- General Note:
- Extent: 26 leaves
- General Note:
- Incipit: Enyi ndugu na wendani, napenda kuwaarifu, rijali na nisiwani wakubwa kwa watotofu
- General Note:
- Africa -- Eastern Africa -- Tanzania -- Manyara Region -- Siu District
- General Note:
- Purchased from Kegan Paul, November 1948
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 53825 ( SOAS manuscript number )
MS 53825b ( SOAS manuscript number )
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