African Aphorisms (MS 47752a)
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Material Information

Title:
African Aphorisms (MS 47752a)
Series Title:
Taylor Papers :
Added title page title:
MS 47752a (African Aphorisms)
Creator:
Taylor, W. E. (William Ernest), 1856-1927 ( Author, Primary )
Publication Date:
Language:
Dawida
Kigiryama
Materials:
Paper ( medium )
Technique:
Handwritten and typescript manuscript : 1 Bound volume with brown cover; notes by Taylor are interleaved with pages from the published version of the manuscript. The mainly unreadable notes are written with black, blue and red ink; a few notes are in Arabic script

Notes

Abstract:
This manuscripts contains the material for the well-known booklet by Rev. Taylor entitled ‘African Aphorisms, or Saws from Swahili-land’ that was published by the Society for promoting Christian knowledge, London, in 1891. The present manuscript contains handwritten notes interleaved page by page with the published version. Some notes are unreadable, and some are in Arabic script. Taylor collected about 664 proverbs and aphorisms from the Swahili Coast, as well as from Inland regions that Taylor here defined as the region of the Giryama and ‘WaNyika’ people. The Giryama people together with Other people of the Kenya’s interior used to be generally called ‘WaNyika’. This term of reference acquired a negative connotation and it is not longer used. Instead, the people of this region are called Mijikenda (the Nine ‘Tribes’). Taylor differentiates between Giryama and ‘Nyika’, and in his ‘African Aphorisms’ he dedicates a section to Giryama proverbs, 601 to 633, and a general section to ‘Nyika’ proverbs (from 634 to 644). The Giryama proverbs can be found in MS 198870 that contains a large collection of Giryama and ‘Nyika’ proverbs and riddles. The proverbs contained in the MS are presented with translations and explanation of metaphorical meanings. In some instances, Taylor provides extracts of poems to show how an aphorism is used in a context. Most of the material was collected thanks to Mwalimu Sikujua and Bwana Hemedi who greatly helped Rev. Taylor in collecting literary material in Swahili and Other East African languages, like Giryama. At the end of the manuscript, there are also one Taita proverb and two proverbs from Uganda. In the appendix there are additional grammatical notes, with reference to Verb tenses. The preface was written by Rev. Salter Price who emphasizes the value of the book to gain greater understanding of East African culture. ( en )
General Note:
Date of Composition is unknown
General Note:
Languages: Kigiryama (Roman script) and Dawida (Roman script)
General Note:
Dialects: KiMvita
General Note:
Extent: 1 small volume
General Note:
Incipit: African aphorisms; or, Saws from Swahili-Land. Collected, translated, and annotated by the Rev. W E Taylor.
General Note:
See SOAS University of London manuscript MS 198870
General Note:
Kigiryama is also know as Giryama and, alternately, Giriama
General Note:
Dawida is also known as Taita and KiTaita
General Note:
VIAF (name authority) : Taylor, W. E. (William Ernest), 1856-1927 : URI http://viaf.org/viaf/68615291
General Note:
Africa -- Eastern Africa -- Kenya -- Mombasa County -- Mombasa
General Note:
Africa -- Eastern Africa -- Kenya -- Kilifi County -- Giryama land
General Note:
Africa -- Eastern Africa -- Uganda
General Note:
Africa -- Eastern Africa -- Kenya -- Taita-Taveta County
General Note:
Donated by Mrs E. Hichens, 12 June 1945
General Note:
Publication information: Taylor W E. 1891. African Aphorisms or, Saws from Swahili-land. Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, London.
General Note:
Publication information: Taylor, W E. 1891. Giryama Vocabulary and Collections. Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, London.
General Note:
Publication information: Taylor, W. E 1932. A Swahili tale in the dialect of Mombasa. Afrika und Ubersee, 24:1-14

Record Information

Source Institution:
SOAS University of London
Holding Location:
Archives and Special Collections
Rights Management:
This item is believed to be in the public domain
Resource Identifier:
MS 47752 ( SOAS manuscript number )
MS 47752a ( SOAS manuscript number )