Introduction to Somali poetry

[Cash_Lacag763]

Anyone who has come into contact with Somali culture will be aware of the central rôle poetry plays in that culture. For as long as we know, poetry has been the core form of cultural expression and is the basis upon which some other forms have been developed, in particular Somali theatre. Traditional life in the eastern Horn of Africa, where the Somalis live, has poetry woven into its fabric. Many of the day-to-day tasks which people carry out in the countryside have poetry associated with them in the form of work songs, each type with its own metrical structure and associated tunes.

[Cash_Lacag763]

Poetry is the way to freedom for somalia?

[Cash_Lacag763]

The most famous Somali poet is Sayid Mohamed Abdulle Hassan, a national heroe as a warrior and as a poets. Below is a translation of a recent poem, written just after the Ethiopian border was shut to Somalis fleeing from the civil war in their homeland.

My Brother is there
I can hear the bells of his
Camels.
When I pray, he prays,
And my Allah is his Allah.
My Brother is there
And he cannot come to me.

Somalia is an oral society with poetry as an important aspect of the culture. Somali poetry is a major component of Somali studies. It was customary for Somali poets to mention the names of composers, in obedience to a kind of unwritten copy right law. Whenever a poem is performed, its author's name must be recited merrily as artists. Poets comment on current events can be influential, and in a country where everyone irrespective of education or occupation loves poetry, it can have the same powers the mass media has in an industrialized society. The prestige of the Somali poet is noted with interest by the European explorers in the 19th century.

[sexy-kitten]

I used to attend Somali plays in Djbouti. They don't have it in America.. Apparently, they call it "Riwaayad".. But it's not even a riwaayad.. It's just a big party and has nothing to do with poets. I'd love to attend a Somali play again!

[Cash_Lacag763]

yeah I know its not like how they used to do it any more...but some Somali men's poetry known as “Gabay and Geraar” in the Somali knowledge is performed in Canada at community gatherings. Gabay is shorter than Geraar. The content or meaning of the men's poetry is based on past events, rituals and current life experiences. Men's poetry are also concerned with the social, political and economic conditions of both Canada and Somalia.

here are couple examples::

Life
Death is luxury if you lack hope
It's means to a beginning not an end
it's fear for those who can't afford it
It's an equal opportunity for all
The old and the new born
Beloved makes achievements hard
Love and wealth are collateral to each
Yet both are reliability to life
Health, wealth, pain and pleasure all
Life is a victim of all, good and bad
Even if we're left alone to live
time will not leave us alone
And we finally fade like a leave
bitten by a bad weather
So, what is the word here?
Let's stop 28
Stop and take time to think
Before time takes self to us,

Shariff Osman


Philosophy of Life

Life is dynamic, moving fast forward
When you were growing up you never knew,
What it's like to be old and mature.
And even, if you die then,
You never know what is death
Is it darkness that absorbs light of life?
An exit, or means to transport from life to life?
And of course, what demise keeps us in waiting
So folks, Life goes on
In what rate? What way? We don't know
What direction?
From yesterday-Today, that we know
The rest is truant but will arrive
Yet- we can't grasp WHEN'S due
So folks, don't trust the temptations
The messages from satan, that urge
‘cause anything that hastens’ from God
as nothing that waitsÂ’ from God
And Science, often we say
What's science? A revelation ?
Isn't science out own way of invention
Our way to define and decipher
The secrets of the unknown
Since when it become
the holly book of reference?
What ever it ‘s we made of it
And man shouldn't warship his design
Is the least of wisdom we know
To be MORAL not amoral
Is to bridge of today to tomorrow
Shariff Osman