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- Permanent Link:
- http://digital.soas.ac.uk/LSMD000305/00001
Material Information
- Title:
- Utenzi wa Vita Vikuu Baina ya Isilamu na Makafiri wa Kiarabu (MS 380069a)
- Series Title:
- Knappert Collection :
- Creator:
- [s.n.]
Ali Omar, Yahya, 1924–2008 ( contributor )
- Publication Date:
- [n.d.]
- Language:
- Swahili
- Materials:
- Paper ( medium )
- Technique:
- Handwritten manuscript : In red and black ink, easliy read
Notes
- Abstract:
- At the start of the narrative of this poem, Mohammed receives word from Jibril about an evil unbeliever named Amuri bin Ghuwemu Zuhuri. He is told Ali should be sent to challenge the tryrant. Ali arrives in Amuri’s city (stanza 77) and presents himself to Amuri as a soldier eager to fight Mohammed. Ali stays at Amuri’s house, where he secretly buries the food brought to him and eats his own. The next day Ali suggests to Amuri that they gather soldiers to join their forces. After they have travelled awhile, however, Amuri notices that they are headed towards Medina. He asks Ali why, at which Ali reveals his true identity (148) and orders Amuri to become a Muslim. They fight, and ultimately Ali kills Amuri (182). Asad, a relative of Amuri, gets word of Amuri’s death and gathers forces to fight Mohammed. Jibril brings word of this activity to Mohammed, telling him to take his own forces out to meet Asad’s army (236). Subsequent events include a message from Jibril (302) regarding protection for the city of Medina; the end of the first day of fighting (371); and the riding into battle of a young soldier who asserts (516) that one of his ancestors was a snake. There is also an old man who argues with Mohammed that he should be allowed to fight (577). After Asad decapitates the old man, his head speaks, telling his son to join the battle. In a long, mocking song (from 615) Asad asks Mohammed where his fighters and companions are. Ali becomes angry (656) and joins the battle. His sword speaks to him (715). Ali kills Asad (794), and God assures Mohammed’s anxious forces (824) that they will be victorious. AnOther aspect of the story concerns Ibilisi’s false announcement in Medina that Mohammed’s army has been defeated (740). A young woman urges her father to go to Mohammed and Ali. After the old man arrives at the battle, it is discovered that he is the father of the soldier who claimed that one of his ancestors was a snake (893). The youth and his father are reunited; and thus even Ibilisi’s deception and its consequences are shown to have been willed by God. The poem contains Qur’anic ayas and songs in a mix of Swahili and Arabic. The copyist includes a summary of the poem’s outstanding events on the first page and an incomplete summary of the poem at its end. Similar versions of this poem can be found under the title ‘Utenzi wa Amuri’ in the Hichens collection (Mss 210002 and 53497g) in Roman script. ( en )
- General Note:
- Biographical information: The poet names Hasan al-Basri as the source of the story. Hasan al-Basri, who was born in Medina in 642 AD, was a well-known religious figure in Iraq; he died in 728. Nothing is known of the poet
- General Note:
- Date of Composition is unknown
- General Note:
- Languages: Swahili (Arabic script)
- General Note:
- Poetic Form: Utenzi
- General Note:
- Extent: 1 vol. (906 stanzas)
- General Note:
- Incipit: Akhee patia midadi, na loho njema jadidi, na kalamu mukhayadi, ipendezayo kuoweya
- General Note:
- The poem is also known as the Utenzi wa Amuri or the Utenzi wa Amuri bin Ghuwemu Zuhuri
- General Note:
- Asia -- Arabian Peninsula -- Saudi Arabia -- Al Madinah Province -- Medina Governate -- Medina
- General Note:
- Purchased from Dr. J. Knappert, November 1979
- General Note:
- Scribe: Ali Omar, Yahya, 1924–2008
- General Note:
- Publication information: Knappert, Jan. 1983. Epic Poetry in Swahili and Other African Languages. Leiden: E.J. Brill; pp. 74-128
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 380069 ( SOAS manuscript number )
MS 380069a ( SOAS manuscript number )
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