Muyaka bin Haji al-Ghassaniy

Muyaka, as he is commonly referred to, was born circa 1776 and died in 1840 (Harries 1962:208).  Most of his writing, approximately 150 extant poems, was probably done from 1810 – 1840.  These were preserved for us by Wm. Taylor and  Muhammadi Sikujua.  For more information on Muyaka see Abdulaziz 1979, Harries 1962, and Knapper 1979:141. There is also Hichens’ small work in Swahili (1940) entitled Diwani ya Muyaka bin Haji al-Ghassaniy. Pamoja na khabari za maisha yake. This seems to be the source for an article on Muyaka in the online Encyclopedia Britannica q.v.

Also see:  M. A. Bryan (1942). Review of W. Hichens ‘Diwani ya Muyaka Bin Haji al-Ghassaniy’ Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies 10:1055-1056.

His works included here are:

Mwina wa Chiza Mbwi Chile

K’ongowea ni T’uu

K’ongowea Yaugua

Ngome ni Ngome

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Discovering Swahili Poetry