by M. A. Repembecho, first published in Uhuru, 22 December 1971
Uhuru: 22 Desemba, 1971
| Adhabu Gani Tuwape? | What Punishment Should We Give Them? |
| 1. Nayatangaza bayana, madhila ya wanyonyaji | I proclaim for sure, the degradation of the exploiters |
| Watunzi msije guna, naomba muwe majaji | You guardians should not grumble, I ask you to be judges |
| Adhabu gani mwaona, ya kuwapa wanyonyaji | What kind of punishment do you feel, the exploiters should receive |
| Adhabu gani tuwape, wanyonyaji Tanzania? | What kind of punishment should we give them, the exploiters in Tanzania? |
| 2. Adhabu gani tuwape, wenye kosa la kunyonya | What kind of punishment should we give them, those guilty of exploitation |
| Wanyonyao kama kupe, wagande wafe kunyonya | Those who suck (exploit) like ticks, may they become hard and die from sucking (exploiting) |
| Hawaachi japo kupe, vipi tutavyowaonya | They are not afraid even if they are exploiters, how will we warn them off |
| Adhabu gani tuwape, wanyonyaji Tanzania? | What kind of punishment should we give them, the exploiters in Tanzania? |
| 3. Nitataja vyeo vyake, cha kwanza ni mnyapara | I will mention their ranks, the first is the overseer |
| Hupanda daraja yake, kabaila akafura | He climbs in rank, the landowner swells with pride |
| Japo umpige teke, hajali kama mpira | Even though you might kick him, he could care less just like a ball |
| Adhabu gani tuwape, wanyonyaji Tanzania? | What kid of punishment should we give them, the exploiters in Tanzania |
| 4. Na mwisho huwa bepari, mirija yake ya singe | And the last is the capitalist, his straws are as bayonets |
| Hajali na hafikiri, kutudhulumu wanyonge | He cares nothing and thinks nothing, of oppressing us the destitute |
| Jambo hili ni hatari, mnaonaje Wabunge | This is a dangerous thing, what do you think about it, oh you Parliamentarians |
| Adhabu gani tuwape, wanyonyaji Tanzania? | What kind of punishment should we give them, the exploiters in Tanzania? |
| 5. Wanyonyaji hawataki, vijiji vya ujamaa | The exploiters do not want ujamaa villages |
| Kwa vile ndio bunduki, iwezayo kuwaua | Because it is a weapon, that is able to kill them |
| Hutafuta mashabiki, kupinga kuwachochea | They look for the supporters to oppose provoking them |
| Adhabu gani tuwape, wanyonyaji Tanzania? | What kid of punishment should we give them, the exploiters in Tanzania? |
| 6. Kumkatia mirija, juhudi inafanyika | To cut his straws on him, an effort is taking place |
| Lakini bado daraja, wapitayo vibaraka | But there is still a bridge, over which the reactionaries pass |
| Bado tunavyo viroja, vile vilivyofichika | (But) we still have (our own) schemes that are just as obscure |
| Adhabu gani tuwape, wanyonyaji Tanzania? | What kind of punishment should we give them, the exploiters in Tanzania? |
Summary
The poet makes use of vocabulary that came into use after the Arusha Declaration. Much of it consisted of words that were already part of most everyone’s lexicon, but now used in new contexts and senses. The poet asks how Tanzanians should punish those that rank highest as their exploiters.
Glossary
bayana [adv; n. 9] Openly, clearly, for certain, for sure, surely (TJH). Clearness, clear knowledge, certainty, clear evidence, explanation (FJ). Nayatangaza bayana, madhila ya wanyonyaji; I proclaim for sure, the degradation of the exploiters (MA-AGT1).
bebari [n. 5/6 an.] Trader, merchant; (2) rich man; hoarder; capitalist; monopolist; (3) deceiver, swindler; bourgeoisie, feudalism; large landowner (K&K). Mfanyi biashara mkubwa tajiri. 2. mwenye kumiliki rasilimali na njia kuu za uchumi katika kuzalisha mali kwa faida yake mwenyewe. 3. mmojawapo katika tabaka la wanyonyaji (KKS). Not in FJ. Na mwisho huwa bepari, mirija yake ya singe; And the last is the capitalist, his straws are as bayonets (MA-AGT4).
dhila/ma- [n. 5/6] Degradation, ignominy, infamy (TJH). Mean condition, abasement, low state (FJ). Nayatangaza bayana, madhila ya wanyonyaji, I proclaim for sure, the degradation of the exploiters (MA-AGT1).
fichika [v. st., pot.] Be hidden, be obscure (TJH). See –ficha hide (FJ). Bado tunavyo viroja, vile vilivyofichika; (But) we still have (our own) schemes that are just as obscure (MA-AGT6).
fura [v. i.] Swell up with pride (TJH). Rise up, effervesce, swell, be puffed; fig. swell with anger, rage, indignation (FJ). Hupanda daraja yake, kabaila akafura; He climbs in rank, the land owner swells with pride (MA-AGT3).
ganda [v. i.] Coagulate, become hard, set (of glue, blood, jelly, etc.), become frozen, get thick (of milk, liquid, etc.), (2) stick to, cleave to, embrace closely, clasp (FJ). Wanyonyao kama kupe, wagande wafe kunyonya; Those who suck (exploit) like ticks, may they become hard and die from sucking (exploiting) (MA-AGT2).
japo [conj.] Even if, supposing that, although (FJ). Although, even though, even if, even so (K&K). Hawaachi japo kupe, vipi tutavyowaonya, They are not afraid even if they are exploiters, how will we warn them off (MA-AGT2).
kabaila/ma- [n. 5/6 derog.] High ranked person; land owner, landlord (TJH). Free man, nobleman, person of standing; (2) usurper, landlord (K&K). Important person, person in high position or much respected; 2. one born of free parents, nobleman (CWR). Mtu aliyezalikana au kutokana na ukoo maarufu; 2. mkuu; 3. mtu ajulikanaye na masrufu wa mahali Fulani; B mtu apendaye kumfanya mtu mwengine amtumikie na yeye akastarehe; 2. mtu aliye na majumba na ardhi na kupangisha kwa faida yake ya binafsi au za watu wachache; 3. mnyonyaji mwenye majumba mengi ya kupangisha na ardhi kubwa ya kupangisha au inayolimwa na watu wengine wengi kwa ajili ya faida yake (KKS). Hupanda daraja yake, kabaila akafura; He climbs in rank, the land owner swells with pride (MA-AGT3).
kibaraka/vi- [n. 7/8 derog.] Lackey, henchman, bootlicker, reactionary, etc. (TJH). Yes-man, sycophant, political supporter; a reactionary, a political stooge, puppet (K&K). Lakini bado daraja, wapitayo vibaraka, But there is still a bridge, over which the reactionaries pass (MA-AGT6).
kiroja/vi- [n. 7/8] Ploy, stratagem, plot, scheme (TJH). Ruse, trick, trickery, magic, witchcraft: witch; monster; whim, st. surprising, baffling; puzzle; also: kioja (K&K). Something that astonishes or terrifies, an oddity, a curiosity, a portent, a bugbear, monster (FJ). Bado tunavyo viroja, vile vilivyofichika; (But) we still have (our own) schemes that are just as obscure (MA-AGT6).
kunyonya [n. 15] Exploitation, unfair treatment, oppression (TJH). Wanyonyao kama kupe, wagande wafe kunyonya; Those who suck (exploit) like ticks, may they become hard and die from sucking (exploiting) (MA-AGT2).
kupe [n. 9/10 an.] Tick; exploiter, bloodsucker (TJH). Wanyonyao kama kupe, wagande wafe kunyonya; Those who suck (exploit) like ticks, may they become hard and die from sucking (exploiting) (MA-AGT2).
mnyonyaji/wa- [n. 1/2] Exploiter, one who takes advantage of s.o., oppressor (TJH). See –nyonya suck the breast—said of a child or animal (FJ). See kunyonya 15 exploitation, oppression, unfair treatment (TJH). Nayatangaza bayana, madhila ya wanyonyaji; I proclaim for sure, the degradation of the exploiters (MA-AGT1).
mtunzi/wa- [n. 1/2] Watchman, guardian, defender, caretaker (TJH). Poet, author; guardian, watchman, herdsman (K&K). Watunzi msije guna, naomba muwe majaji, You guardians should not grumble, I ask you to be judges (MA-AGT1).
singe [n. 9/10] Bayonet (FJ). Kisu kinachochomekwa kwenye mtutu wa bunduki ambacho hutumika kuchomea adui (KKS). Na mwisho huwa bepari, mirija yake ya singe; And the last is the capitalist, his straws are as bayonets (MA-AGT4).
tangaza [v. cs.] Declare, assert, proclaim (TJH). Make known, publish abroad, advertise, proclaim (FJ). Nayatangaza bayana, madhila ya wanyonyaji, I proclaim for sure, the degradation of the exploiters (MA-AGT1).