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- Permanent Link:
- http://digital.soas.ac.uk/LSMD000349/00001
Material Information
- Title:
- Utenzi wa Isubani (MS 380552a)
- Series Title:
- Knappert Collection :
- Creator:
- Abu Bakr bin Mwengo ( Author, Primary )
- Publication Date:
- 1960 or 1965 AD (1380 or 1385 A.H.)
- Language:
- Swahili
- Materials:
- Paper ( medium )
- Technique:
- Handwritten manuscript : In red and black ink
Notes
- Abstract:
- This poem narrates a battle in a valley, the Wadi Isban, between the Prophet Mohammed’s army and the army of an unbeliever, Katirifu. It is written in a northern dialect, with borrowings from Arabic. The manuscript contains many inaccuracies that are best revealed and corrected through comparison with another (if also imperfect) version, such as that of Knappert (1969). In writing, the scribe frequently joins the end of one word with the first portion of the next; thus the visual division of words is unreliable. An outline of the story follows. A Jew named Amri, who wants to become a Muslim, is journeying to Mecca to see Mohammed. On his way, Amri meets a shepherd and inquires about the owner of a beautiful house visible in the distance. The shepherd explains that the palace belongs to a tyrant and the tyrant’s daughter Hasina, both of whom are unbelievers. A man named Katirifu wishes to marry Hasina, but as her bride price the princess has demanded that Katirifu kill Mohammed and Ali, against whom her husband fought in the battle of Badr, in which he died. Hasina and Katirifu have made a contract, and Katirifu has gone to gather troops. Amri takes this news to Mohammed. Jibril brings orders from God that Mohammed and his forces should meet Katirifu in the valley of Isban. Clans and captains are enumerated as the soldiers gather. Jibril appears a second time to urge on Mohammed’s forces. A man named Umar bin Umaya travels ahead to scout the valley and returns with a description of the enemy forces. King Jeusizo (evidently the father of Hasina) rebukes his minister for praising the courage of Mohammed’s soldiers. In the first battle, the Muslim army is forced to retreat. Abu Bakr brings the news to Mohammed, who is distressed. Jibril appears and assures the Prophet that all has been willed by God. Mohammed asks that Ali be brought to the battle, and Jibril carries this request to God. Ali is miraculously called as he sleeps in the room of his aunt. He travels to Medina, where he finds Fatima, Hasan and Hussein. Together they mount a camel that travels with miraculous speed to the camp of the Prophet’s army. Ali devastates the forces of Katirifu and cuts off the ears of Katirifu’s strongest slave. Katirifu joins Ali in battle but soon flees in desperation. Princess Hasina sends him back, and Ali slices him in half. Many of Katirifu’s forces surrender and become Muslims. Princess Hasina tears off her clothes and mutilates the body of her suitor. In the final part of the narration, Mohammed’s forces collect and divide the belongings of the defeated army. ( en )
- General Note:
- Biographical information: Abu Bakr bin Mwengo, who is named by Knappert (1969) as the author of Utenzi wa Isubani, is described in that version of the poem as a natiive of Lamu who lived in Pate
- General Note:
- Date of Composition is unknown
- General Note:
- Languages: Swahili (Arabic script)
- General Note:
- Poetic Form: Utenzi
- General Note:
- Extent: 1 exercise book (79 pages)
- General Note:
- Incipit: Wa bihi nasta’inu, ‘aunaka ya Mu’inu, iwe kun fayakunu, haya nimezo’azimiya
- General Note:
- Africa -- Eastern Africa -- Swahili Coast
- General Note:
- Purchased from Dr. J. Knappert, March 1993
- General Note:
- Publication information: Knappert, Jan. 1969. The Utenzi wa Katirifu or Ghazwa ya Sesebani. Afrika und Ubersee 52: 81-104 and 264-313.
- General Note:
- Publication information: Knappert, Jan. 1999. A Survey of Swahili Islamic Epic Sagas. Lewiston, New York; Queenston, Ontario; Lampeter, Wales: Edwin Mellen Press; pp. 76-82
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 380552 ( SOAS manuscript number )
MS 380552a ( SOAS manuscript number )
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