|
|
- Permanent Link:
- http://digital.soas.ac.uk/LSMD000339/00001
Notes
- Abstract:
- The Maulidi ya Hee is a translation of Maulid al-Barzanji Nathr, which is popular in coastal Swahili communities, where its reading is not restricted to Maulid festivities. Like the original poem, this manuscript contains 19 chapters that celebrate the Prophet Mohammed and narrate the story of his life. The translator and scribe is Mzee bin Ali, a native of the Comoros (p. 208) who resided in Kilwa (p. 231). An interesting feature of the manuscript is the translator’s own additions. After the 14th chapter he includes his own prose preface to the ‘tenzi za miraji,’ which attempts to demonstrate the truth of the story of Mohammed’s miraculous visit to heaven. After the final chapter, he includes his own ‘Kasida ya Kuanzia Maulidi’ and ‘Kasida ya Kisimamo.’ Then follows ‘Shairi ya Sifa ya Mtume Muhammad,’ presumably also authored by the translator. This poem emphasises Mohammed’s status as the last prophet of God, and Mzee bin Ali appends to it a prose note criticising a man named Kassim from ‘Tanganyika,’ who commits blasphemy by proclaiming himself a prophet. The dating of the manuscript derives from this note. Mzee bin Ali then includes his own prayer and another ‘kasida’ praising a sheikh: ‘muongozi wetu mtukufu Saidi Muhammed bin Sheikh Al’Maarufu Ashadhiliy Liyashruti.’ The 13th stanza of this poem in praise of the sheikh suggests the translator’s residence in Kilwa Kisiwani. ( en )
- General Note:
- Biographical information: Imam as-Sayyid Ja’far al-Barzanji (c. 1690-1763) wrote two poems to celebrate Maulid (the birthday of the prophet Mohammed): Maulid Barzanji Nadhm, a 16-section poem in which all verses end with the Arabic letter ‘nun’; and Maulid Barzanji Nathr, a 19-section poem in which all verses end with the letter ‘hee’ (or ‘hay’). The latter, which was composed in rhymed prose, is translated into poetry this manuscript. Little is known of the scribe, Mzee bin Ali, who created the manuscript and added his own poems and commentary. He appears to have been a native of the Comoros who resided in Kilwa.
- General Note:
- Date of Composition: translated circa 1966 AD (translated circa 1404 A.H.)
- General Note:
- Languages: Swahili (Roman script)
- General Note:
- Extent: 1 exercise book (232 pages)
- General Note:
- Incipit: Mlango wa Kwanza/ Abtadiu/ Nnaandiliza maneno kuyaandika, Kwa jina la Mungu la dhati lenye baraka, La ukamilifu ambalo lisilo shaka, Makusudi yangu sifa za Mtume mwema
- General Note:
- The prose translation of the Maulidu’l-Barzanji Nathran is probably the most relevant portion of Knappert (1971): pp. 48-60.
- General Note:
- VIAF (name authority) : Ali Muhammad, Mzee Bin, Comoria : URI http://viaf.org/viaf/290005681
- General Note:
- Africa -- Eastern Africa -- Tanzania -- Lindi Region -- Kilwa District -- Kilwa Kisiwani -- Kilwa Kisiwani Island
- General Note:
- Africa -- Eastern Africa -- Comoros
- General Note:
- Purchased from Dr. J. Knappert, March 1993
- General Note:
- Scribe: Ali Muhammad
- General Note:
- Scribe: Mzee Bin
- General Note:
- Publication information: Harries, Lyndon. 1962. Swahili Poetry. Oxford: Clarendon Press; pp. 102-119.
- General Note:
- Publication information: Knappert, Jan. 1971. Swahili Islamic Poetry, Vol. 1. Leiden: E.J. Brill
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 380545 ( SOAS manuscript number )
MS 380545a ( SOAS manuscript number )
|
|
