by Sayyid Abdallah Ali bin Nassir
Translation by TJH:
| Naapa kwa Mungu na Mungu ndiye kiapo | I swear to God, God who is the oath himself |
| Nampenda mt’u p’indi naye anipendapo | I love anyone as long as they (lit. he/she) love me |
| Bali nduu yangu p’indi ari abwagazapo | But when my kinsman imputes something shameful about me |
| Ninga mwana kozi sioneki niwak’uapo; | It is then that I, unseen, (like) the young goshawk snatch the green pigeon |
| Ni muwi wa nyuni nawak’ua katika nyama | It (the goshawk) is among the animals the worst of birds snatching (prey) |
Note: This verse is quoted by M. Abdulazziz in his study of Muyaka, as an example of a poem modeled on the takhmis, the Arabic forerunner of the Swahili shairi. For more information see Abdulazziz’s discussion (1979:56-57).
Translation by Mohamed Abdulazizz:
| Naapa kwa Mungu na Mungu ndiye kiapo | I swear by God and God is the only One whom you may swear an oath by |
| Nampenda mt’u p’indi naye anipendapo | I will love a fellow being as long as he loves me |
| Bali nduu yangu p’indi ari abwagazapo | But even my own kinsman, if he should tarnish my honor |
| Ninga mwana kozi sioneki niwak’uapo; | Then I become ninga the young goshawk who swoops down unseen; |
| Ni muwi wa nyuni nawak’ua katika nyama | The most ferocious of birds snatching its prey at will from the brood |
Glossary
| apa | [v. i.] | Swear, take an oath (TJH). Naapa kwa Mungu na Mungu ndiye kiapo, I swear to God, God who is the oath himself (SAN-1). |
| ari | [n. 9/10] | Disgrace, shame, reproach, dishonor, a thing to make one blush, but usu. effort, trouble, exertion, etc., expended to avoid shame or disgrace, to keep one’s reputation, not to be thought lazy, incompetent, mean, lacking in hospitality, etc. Kazi ilikuwa kama kwamba itanishinda, lakini nilifanya ari, it seemed as though the work would prove too much for me, but I made a special effort (so as not to be shamed by being thought incompetent, or lacking in strength, &c.). Often used of eagerness to return hospitality equal to that received, or play a return game (i.e. football, &c.) (FJ). Bali nduu yangu p’indi ari abwagazapo, But when my kinsman imputes something shameful about me. (SAN-1). |
| bwagaza | [v. cs.] | Throw down, throw off. See –bwaga (FJ); see –bwagaza ari below. |
| bwagaza ari | [v. phrase] | Bring down in shame, shame someone; encumber with shame, impute, accuse of something shameful (TJH). Tarnish honor (MHA). See Sx: -mtia mtu ari voir un affront, de la honte en qqch., éprouver un sentiment de honte, se croire déshonoré (Sx). Bali nduu yangu p’indi ari abwagazapo, But when my kinsman imputes something shameful about me… (SAN-1). |
| kozi | [n. 9/10 an.] | East Africa Goshawk, Astur tachiro. Also applied to the Black Sparrow, Accipiter melanoleucos (TJH). Ninga mwana kozi sioneki niwak’uapo, It is then that I, unseen, (like) the young goshawk snatch the green pigeon (SAN-1). |
| muwi/wa- | [n. 1/2] | Evil, bad person; St. mbaya. See mbi [9/10 adj.] evil, evil thing; see –wi (TJH Ni muwi wa nyuni nawak’ua katika nyama, It (the goshawk) is the worst of birds snatching (prey) from among the animals (SAN-1)). |
| nduu | [n. 9/10 an.] | Brother, sister, relative; see St. ndugu (FJ). Bali nduu yangu p’indi ari abwagazapo, But when my kinsman imputes something shameful about me. (SAN-1). |
| ninga | [n. 9/10 an.] | Green pigeon. Aina ya tetere. (KKS). Deland’s green pigeon (Viango delalandii)…. ) (FJ). G. mwana-ninga) tréron ou pigeon vert (Colombar Waalia ou abyssinica)…. (Sx). Ninga mwana kozi sioneki niwak’uapo, It is then that I, unseen, (like) the young goshawk snatch the green pigeon (SAN-1). |
| nyama | [n. 9/10 an.] | Animal, beast, wild game (TJH). Brood (MHA). See St. mnyama (FJ). Animal, bête, gibier …. (Sx). Ni muwi wa nyuni nawak’ua katika nyama, It (the goshawk) is the worst of birds snatching (prey) from among the animals (SAN-1). |
| nyuni | [n. 9/10 an.] | Bird, but usu. ndege is used (FJ). Ni muwi wa nyuni nawak’ua katika nyama, It (the goshawk) is the worst of birds snatching (prey) from among the animals (SAN-1). |
| oneka | [v. St & Pot.] | (1) be seen, etc.; (2) be perceptible (vision, audible, tangible, etc.) (FJ). Ninga mwana kozi sioneki niwak’uapo, It is then that I, unseen, (like) the young goshawk snatch the green pigeon (SAN-1). |
| p’indi | [n. 9/10; adv.] | As long as (MHA). When, if, supposing, although, i.e. at the time, when, giving time for, allowing time for (FJ). See St. kipindi a portion of time, period, etc. (FJ). Nampenda mt’u p’indi naye anipendapo, I love anyone as long as he loves me (SAN-1). |
| penda | [v. tr.] | Like, love; St. has no dental /d/ (TJH). Nampenda mt’u p’indi naye anipendapo, I love anyone as long as he loves me (SAN-1). |
| wak’ua | [v. tr.] | Seize, take, snatch, catch suddenly (TJH). Not in FJ, but see St. –nyakua (FJ). See –akua, –wakua Ng. = nyakua, -saisir. < -akia (Sx). See St. –akia 1. swallow, gulp down; 2. throw food into the mouth; 3. gorge (Cf. bwakia…) (FJ). Ninga mwana kozi sioneki niwak’uapo, It is then that I, unseen, (like) the young goshawk snatch the green pigeon (SAN-1). |