Waadhi (Ms 380554a)
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Material Information

Title:
Waadhi (Ms 380554a)
Series Title:
Knappert Collection : Waadhi, Wajiwaji, poetic fragments and wordlist
Creator:
[s.n.]
Publication Date:
Language:
Swahili
Materials:
Paper ( medium )
Technique:
Handwritten manuscript : In blue ink, and divided between two exercise books

Subjects

Subjects / Keywords:
Islam ( LCSH )
Religious belief
Religious practice
Social interaction ( LCSH )
Social change ( LCSH )
Imani za kidini
Uislamu
Faith ( LCSH )
Mazoezi ya kidini
Islam -- Customs and practices ( LCSH )
Genre:
Poem
Utenzi
Poetry ( LCTGM )
Spatial Coverage:
Africa -- Kenya -- Lamu County -- Eastern Africa -- Lamu -- Lamu Island
Coordinates:
-2.269444 x 40.902222

Notes

Abstract:
The poet introduces his work with reference to ‘babangu,’ which may here signify his son rather than his father. This man has been caught up in worldly concerns, the poet says, and needs to be reminded of the pre-eminence of God. The poet soon abandons that tact, however, and laments a general disregard for religion. He complains in particular of the entry of women into the world of work (as secretaries, for example), asking who will hold mourning ceremonies and how eda, ritual seclusion after the death of a husband, will be observed. The poet proceeds to offer religious admonition (e.g. consider the loneliness of the grave) and more worldly advice (e.g. do not choose a garrulous woman as a wife) on a wide range of subjects. At one point he addresses his son, identifying him as Nassir Din. Language and content reveal this to be a relatively modern waadhi. It is not particularly elegant, and the poet meanders in his treatment of his subject. Errors in writing make the words difficult to read in places. ( en )
General Note:
Date of Composition is unknown
General Note:
Languages: Swahili (Arabic script)
General Note:
Dialects: KiAmu
General Note:
Purchased from Dr. J. Knappert, March 1993
General Note:
Poetic Form: Utenzi
General Note:
Extent: 40 small pages
General Note:
Incipit: Nisaidini nduzangu, kwa huyu mzee wangu, ufuete ulimwengu, hataki kuzingatia
General Note:
The waadhi begins in the exercise book that is labelled with a SOAS University of London barcode. It breaks off after four and a half pages and continues in the exercise book labelled 12. The torn sheet labelled 380554a is probably part of the poem, which is almost certainly missing further pages
General Note:
Africa -- Eastern Africa -- Kenya -- Lamu County -- Lamu -- Lamu Island

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 380554 ( SOAS manuscript number )
Ms 380554a ( SOAS manuscript number )