{"id":177,"date":"2014-10-21T15:43:46","date_gmt":"2014-10-21T22:43:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/?page_id=177"},"modified":"2017-12-14T14:52:10","modified_gmt":"2017-12-14T22:52:10","slug":"mwina-wa-chiza","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/?page_id=177","title":{"rendered":"Mwina wa Chiza"},"content":{"rendered":"

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
1. K’ongowea ja mvumo, maangavu maji male.<\/span><\/td>\nKongowea is like the roar (of breaking waves); with crystal clear deep water.[1]<\/span><\/sup><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Haitowi lililomo, Gongwa isingenyemele.<\/span><\/td>\nIt does not reveal what is inside; would that Gongwa were not so quiet.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Msiotambua ndumo, na utambaji wa kale,<\/span><\/td>\nYou who do not recognize (its) war-cries and (its) strategy of old,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mwina wa chiza mbwi chile, mtambuzwa hatambuli![2]<\/span><\/sup><\/span><\/td>\nIt is a deep dark hole, (even) a clever one cannot fathom it!<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2. K’ongowea aridhi mbi, ukenda usijikule.<\/span><\/td>\nKongowea is an evil land, if you enter do not put on airs\/act boastfully.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ina mambo t’umbitumbi, wajuvywa hawajuvile<\/span><\/td>\nIt has numerous affairs, (even) the well-informed have no knowledge about them.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mara huliona wimbi, lausha nyuma na mbele,<\/span><\/td>\nSuddenly one sees a wave, it surges to and fro (lit.,<\/em> backwards and forwards)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mwina wa chiza mbwi chile, mtambuzwa hatambuli!<\/span><\/td>\nIt is a deep dark hole, (even) a clever one cannot fathom it!<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3. Mt<\/span><\/em>eza na Nyali K’uu, kugeua mageule,<\/span><\/td>\nHe who plays with Nyali K’uu to make changes,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Humvund<\/span><\/em>anga maguu, asende mwendo wa kule;<\/span><\/td>\nIt smashes his legs so that he cannot go far.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Akawa p’aka mnyau, mnyau p’aka mwele;<\/span><\/td>\nHe becomes a mewing cat, a sick mewing cat.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mwina wa chiza mbwi chile, mtambuzwa hatambuli!<\/span><\/td>\nIt is a deep dark hole, (even) a clever one cannot fathom it!<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4. Gongwa nda Mwana Mkisi, Mvita Mji wa Kale.<\/span><\/td>\nGongwa belongs to Mwana Mkisi, Mvita is an ancient city!<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Usitupile viasi, ukenda enda kwa p’ole;<\/span><\/td>\nDo not cross (its) borders, if you do go (there) go carefully.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Inika chako kikosi, maninga vyema sivule,<\/span><\/td>\nBe humble (lit. bend down your neck), do not raise (your) eyes.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mwina wa chiza mbwi chile, mtambuzwa hatambule!<\/span><\/td>\nIt is a deep dark hole, (even) a clever one cannot fathom it!<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5. Mvita mji wa ndweo, ivumayo kwa k’elele,<\/span><\/td>\nMvita is a land of revelry (lit. \u201cdrunkenness\u201d) that resounds with noise;<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ilitutile t’utio, p’anga za masimba wale.<\/span><\/td>\nIt has brandished quivering swords of the lions.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Haishi vingurumio, na kwangusha mwanzi mle.<\/span><\/td>\nThere is no end to the roaring and call to arms within.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mwina wa chiza mbwi chile, mtambuzwa hatambuli.<\/span><\/td>\nIt is a deep dark hole, (even) a clever one cannot fathom it!<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

TJH translation is based on MHA 1979 and on discussions with MHA July 1999.\u00a0The text follows Hichens (1940:15) while dental and aspiration diacritics follow MHA. \u00a0MHA in his text has utambaaji <\/em>in verse (1)\u00a0while Hichens (1940) has utambaji.<\/em> The latter preserves the proper scansion of the line, and so I follow Hichens in his spelling.<\/p>\n

[1]<\/sup> When mvumo <\/em>is used figuratively, as it seems most likely here, it can mean \u201cfame, renown, reputation\u201d, thus an alternative figurative translation: Mombasa is renowned with deep and quiet water (i.e., it is inscrutable). \u00a0Of course Muyaka may be invoking both senses of the word.<\/p>\n

[2]<\/sup> Sacleux (1939:1023) quotes this refrain, but instead of mbwi<\/em> he gives mbi <\/em>\u201cevil\u201d: \u2028 <\/em>Mwina wa chiza mbi<\/em>, <\/em>(Mombasa) c’est un \u2028ab\u00eeme de profondes t\u00e9n\u00e8bres.<\/p>\n

MHA Translation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
1. Kongowea roars like the surf; though its deep waters are still and calm.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
It does not reveal the great secret it holds, no wonder Gongwa is so placidly quiet.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
You who cannot perceive the war-cries and the old strategy of the warriors<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
This is an abyss of deep gloom (i.e. Mombasa) even those who are well-informed comprehend it not!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2. Kongowea is a land full of spite, refrain from being haughty when you go therein.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
It has innumerable affairs that could not be understood even by those who are informed.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Suddenly an overwhelming wave appears surging forwards and backwards,<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
This is an abyss of deep gloom, even those who are well-informed comprehend it not!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3. He who trifles with Nyali Kuu in order to change its status,<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
It smashes his legs so that he cannot walk far.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
He becomes a grimalkin cat, a sickly grimalkin cat.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
This is an abyss of deep gloom, even those who are well-informed comprehend it not!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4. Gongwa is the royal land of Mwana Mkisi, Mvita is a city of old!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Do not exceed the bounds, but tread warily therein.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cast down your head, and do not look straight, with your eyes wide open\u2014<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
This is an abyss of deep gloom, even those who are well-informed comprehend it not!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5. Mvita is a land of loud death-groans;<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
It has already brandished its long thin blades, swords of those lions.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
There is always thunderous noise and cries of war.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
This is an abyss of deep gloom, even those who are well-informed comprehend it not!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Msamiati<\/h4>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
angavu<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[adj.]<\/span><\/td>\nBright, shining, crystal clear, etc. (TJH). Dead calm,\u00a0shuwari na malenge<\/em>\u00a0(MHA). Bright, shining, luminous, radiant, polished, etc. 2. transparent, clear, as water, etc.; 3. fig. enlightened, clever, quick-witted (FJ). Clair, limpide, transparent, diaphane; qui laisse voir le fond (eau), e.g., K’ongowea nda mvumo; <\/em>\u2028<\/em>Madyi maangavu<\/strong> male<\/em>, <\/em>Mombasa est renomm\u00e9e;\u2028 Mais c\u2019est une eau claire, profonde dont il faut se m\u00e9tier (Sx).\u00a0K’ongowea ja mvumo,\u00a0<\/em>maangavu<\/strong>\u00a0maji male<\/em>; Kongowea is like the roar (of breaking waves); with crystal clear deep water (MY-Mwina1). Note that MHA p. 143 also notes an equivalency between \u201ccalm water\u201d and\u00a0maji makuu<\/em> \u201chigh tide, deep water\u201d; he also quotes a proverb:\u00a0maji male maangavu<\/em> \u201cstill water runs deep\u201d. It should be noted that water which is clear and transparent has also to be calm (TJH).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
angusha mwanzi<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. cs.]<\/span><\/td>\nArchaic expression. Call to arms, lit. set off a cannon; see\u00a0mwanzi<\/em>\u00a0bamboo; note English etymology:\u00a0cannon<\/em>\u00a0< French\u00a0canon <\u00a0<\/em>Italian\u00a0canone\u00a0<\/em>\u2018large tube\u2019,\u00a0canna<\/em>\u2018 cane, reed\u2019. Roseau en g\u00e9n. au pr. et au fig. \u2026 Instrument de musique comme flute, flageolet, pipeau: de l\u00e0 l\u2019emploi pour appeler aux armes de l\u2019expression vieillie \u2013angusha mwanzi<\/em>\u00a0\u00e0 faire d\u00e9crocher le sifflet de guerre, amener la guerre (Sx).\u00a0<\/em>Haishi vingurumio na\u00a0<\/em>kwangusha mwanzi<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>mle<\/em>; There is no end to the roaring and cry to arms within (MY-Mwina5).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
aridhi<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 9\/10]<\/span><\/td>\nLand (MHA). See St.\u00a0ardhi<\/em>\u00a0(FJ).\u00a0<\/em>K’ongowea\u00a0<\/em>aridhi\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>mbi ukenda usijikule<\/em>;<\/em>\u00a0Kongowea is an evil land, if you enter do not put on airs\/act boastfully (MY-Mwina2). Ar.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
chiza<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 9\/10]<\/span><\/td>\nDarkness; palatalized variant of\u00a0k’iza<\/em>.\u00a0<\/em>Also\u00a0giza<\/em>, see FJ (TJH). Gloom (MHA).\u00a0<\/em>Mwina wa\u00a0<\/em>chiza<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>mbwi chile, mtambuzwa hatambuli<\/em>!<\/em>\u00a0It is a deep dark hole, (even) a clever one cannot fathom it! (MY-Mwina2). ND.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
geua<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. tr.]<\/span><\/td>\nChange, alter, etc. (TJH). Change, make different, alter, but the Cs. geuza is generally used in this sense; (2) fig. treat with scorm, contempt, thrust aside, of persons, e.g.\u00a0usinigeue<\/em>, don\u2019t treat me as though I were nobody (FJ).\u00a0Mt<\/u>eza na Nyali K<\/em>‘uu\u00a0<\/em>kugeua<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>mageule, Humvundanga maguu asende mwendo wa kule<\/em>; He who plays with Nyali Kuu to make changes, It smashes his legs so that he cannot go far (MY-Mwina3).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
geua mageule<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. phase]<\/span><\/td>\nMake changes, make innovations (TJH). Faire des innovations (Sx).\u00a0Mt<\/u>eza na Nyali K<\/em>‘uu\u00a0<\/em>kugeua mageule<\/em><\/strong>, Humvundanga maguu asende mwendo wa kule<\/em>; He who plays with Nyali Kuu to make changes, It smashes his legs so that he cannot go far (MY-Mwina3).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gongwa<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[prop. n.]<\/span><\/td>\nMombasa, old name for (TJH). One of several sentimental names for the Swahili quarter of Mombasa Town; others are\u00a0Kongowea, Nyali Kuu<\/em>,\u00a0Mji wa Kale<\/em>, and\u00a0Nuhasi<\/em>; a name also used in some parts of the northern coast (of Kenya) to refer to a city in which a ruling king or queen lived, or to a royal palace (MHA).\u00a0Haitowi lililomo\u00a0<\/em>Gongwa<\/em><\/strong>, isingenyemele<\/em>, It does not reveal what is inside, would that Gongwa were not so quiet. (MY-Mwina1).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
guu\/ma-<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 5\/6]<\/span><\/td>\nLeg, foot (TJH). See St.\u00a0<\/span>mguu\/mi-<\/em>\u00a03\/4 (FJ).\u00a0<\/span>M<\/span>t<\/u>eza na Nyali K’<\/span><\/em>uu kugeua mageule, Humvundanga\u00a0<\/em>maguu<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>asende mwendo wa kule<\/em>; He who plays with Nyali Kuu to make changes, It smashes his legs so that he cannot go far (MY-Mwina3). ND<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
inika<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. tr.]<\/span><\/td>\nGive a downward direction to, lay over on one side, give a cant (tilt, downward bend or turn) to, let hang down, turn down at the edge, etc,; (2) fig. humble, bring low, depress; listed under\u00a0-ina<\/em>\u00a0(FJ). Cast down (MHA).\u00a0Inika\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>chako kikosi, maninga vyema sivule<\/em>; Be humble (lit. bend down your neck), do not raise (your) eyes (MY-Mwina4).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ja<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n[adv.]<\/span><\/td>\nLike, as (TJH). Archa\u00efque, sans emploi dans le langage de la conversation. Comme (devant un subst.), semblablement \u00e0.\u00a0Ana ugonjwa wa safura, amegeuka ja kinyonga,<\/em>\u00a0il a la jaunisse, il a chang\u00e9 comme un cam\u00e9l\u00e9leon. (Sx).\u00a0K’ongowea\u00a0<\/em>ja<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>mvumo, maangavu maji male<\/em>; Kongowea is like the roar (of breaking waves); (and its) water is deep and calm (MY-Mwina1).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
jikula<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. refl.]<\/span><\/td>\nBe high and mighty, be arrogant, be haughty, be boastful (TJH). Be haughty (MHA). see St.\u00a0-kua<\/em> grow, grow up, get large, increase, become great \u2014 used of the growth of men and animals (FJ).\u00a0-jikua<\/em>\u00a0not in FJ. En po\u00e9sie on trouve le r\u00e9fl. avec le sens de\u00a0-jikuza<\/em>; Mwendako msijikule<\/em> o\u00f9 que vous alliez, ne vous exaltez pas (Sx).\u00a0K\u2019ongowea aridhi mbi ukenda <\/em>usijikule<\/em><\/strong>;<\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>Kongowea is an evil land, if you enter do not put on airs\/act boastfully (MY-Mwina2).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
juvile<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n[-ile perf.]<\/span><\/td>\nPerfect stem of \u2013jua know. Ina mambo t’umbitumbi, wajuvywa\u00a0<\/em>hawajuvile<\/em><\/strong>; It has numerous affairs, (even) the well-informed have no knowledge about them (MY-Mwina2). Note: \/v\/ in this citation derives from a historical *w (or *B a voiced bilabial fricative) plus the *-ile Perfect; thus *juw + *ile > juvile; see Nurse and Hinnebusch 1979:372-373.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
juvya<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n[v. cs.]<\/span><\/td>\nMake known, inform, cause to know; see\u00a0mjuvywa\/wa-\u00a0<\/em>1\/2 a person who is well-informed, well-informed person\u00a0(TJH). Cf.\u00a0-jua<\/em>\u00a0know, etc. (FJ).\u00a0Ina mambo t\u2019umbitumbi,\u00a0<\/em>wajuvywa\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>hawajuvile<\/em>;\u00a0<\/em>It has numerous affairs, (even) the well-informed do not know about them (MY-Mwina2)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
K’ongowea<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n[prop. n.]<\/span><\/td>\nMombasa, archaic name for (TJH). One of several sentimental names for the Swahili quarter of Mombasa Town; others are\u00a0Nyali Kuu<\/em>,\u00a0Gongwa, Mji wa Kale<\/em>, and Nuhasi<\/em>\u00a0(MHA). Un ancien nom de la ville de Mombasa.\u00a0K\u2019ongowea nda mvumo;\u00a0<\/em>Kongowea la c\u00e9l\u00e8bre (Sx). See \u2013kongowea<\/em>\u00a0greet, salute, accost, but with excessive humility or show (FJ).\u00a0Kongowea<\/em>\u00a0is also the present-day name of an estate on the mainland just across the Kilifi Bridge on the right before reaching Kisauni which was owned and named\u00a0Kongowea<\/em>\u00a0by a Swahili person from Old Town in memory of Muyaka; cf.\u00a0kongoni<\/em>\u00a0\u2018welcome\u2019 (MHA); also \u2013kongomana<\/em>\u00a0be joined, be assembled, meet together.\u00a0K’ongowea<\/strong><\/em> ja mvumo, maangavu maji male<\/em>; Kongowea is like the roar (of breaking waves); (and its) water is deep and calm (MY-Mwina2).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
kiasi\/vi-<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 7\/8]<\/span><\/td>\nBoundary, border, confines, territory (TJH). Bounds (MHA). FJ only lists this as a singular n. and adv. Usitupile <\/em>viasi<\/em><\/strong> ukenda enda kwa p’ole<\/em>; Do not cross over (its) borders, if you do go (there) go carefully (MY-Mwina4).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
kikosi\/vi-<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 7\/8]<\/span><\/td>\nBack of neck, nape (FJ).\u00a0Inika chako\u00a0<\/em>kikosi<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>maninga vyema sivule<\/em>; Be humble (lit. bend down your neck), do not raise (your) eyes (MY-Mwina4).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
kingurumio\/vi-<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 7\/8]<\/span><\/td>\nRoar, loud, thunderous noise (TJH). Not in FJ, but see \u2013nguruma<\/em> make a rumbling or roaring noise. See \u2013ngurumia<\/em> roar at (Sx).\u00a0Haishi\u00a0<\/em>vingurumio<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>na kwangusha mwanzi mle<\/em>; There is no end to the roaring and call to arms within (MY-Mwina5).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
kula<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. i.]<\/span><\/td>\nGrow, grow up, get large, increase, become great \u2014 used of the growth of men and animals; see St.\u00a0\u2013kua<\/em> (FJ). See\u00a0\u2013jikula<\/em> in this glossary. K’ongowea aridhimbi ukenda <\/em>usijikule<\/em><\/strong>;<\/em> Kongowea is an evil land, if you enter do not put on airs\/act boastfully (MY-Mwina2)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
le<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[adj.]<\/span><\/td>\nDeep, long, tall, high (TJH). Arch. Am etc. = \u2013refu;\u00a0<\/em>\u2013le<\/em>\u00a0~ \u2013re<\/em>\u00a0(Sx). Kh<\/sup>ongowea ja mvumo, maangavu maji\u00a0<\/em>male<\/em><\/strong>;<\/strong> K\u2019ongowea is like the roar (of breaking waves); (and its) water is deep and calm (MY-Mwina1).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
mageule<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 6]<\/span><\/td>\nChanges, innovations, transformation (TJH). Status (MHA). See-geua mageule<\/em>\u00a0faire des innovations (Sx).\u00a0Mt<\/u>eza na Nyali K’uu kugeua\u00a0<\/em>mageule<\/em><\/strong>, Humvund<\/u>anga maguu asende mwendo wa kule<\/em>; He who plays with Nyali Kuu to make changes, It smashes his legs so that he cannot go far (MY-Mwina3).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
mbi<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[adj. 9\/10]<\/span><\/td>\nEvil, bad, wicked (TJH). See\u00a0\u2013wi<\/em>\u00a0bad, etc. (Sx). K’ongowea aridhi mbi<\/strong>\u00a0ukenda usijikule<\/em>; Kongowea is an evil land, if you enter do not put on airs\/act boastfully (MY-Mwina2).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
mbwi<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[ideo.]<\/span><\/td>\nIdeophone (MHA, p.c. 1999). An ideophone to emphasize the depth of something, or something falling into water (TJH). See\u00a0chubwi<\/em>, an ideophone for the sound made when something is dropped into water (Sarah Mirza, p.c. June 30, 2014).\u00a0Mwina wa chiza <\/em>mbwi<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>chile, mtambuzwa hatambuli!<\/em>\u00a0It is a deep dark hole, (even) a clever one cannot fathom it! (MY-Mwina1). Its use by Muyaka in this verse is meant to emphasize the deepness or possibly the unfathomable darkness of the hole.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
mjuvywa\/wa-<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n.1\/2]<\/span><\/td>\nInformed, sophisticated person, one who knows, someone in the know, well-informed person; see\u00a0-juvywa<\/em>\u00a0\u2018be made known\u2019 <\u00a0-juvya<\/em>\u00a0\u2018make known\u2019 < *-juwa < <\/em>-jua<\/em> \u2018know\u2019 (TJH). Cf.\u00a0-jua<\/em>\u00a0know.etc. \u00a0(FJ).\u00a0Ina mambo t’umbitumbi, <\/em>wajuvywa<\/em><\/strong> hawajuvile<\/em>; It has numerous affairs, (even) the well-informed do not know about them (MY-Mwina2).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
mnyau\/mi-<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 3\/4 an.]<\/span><\/td>\nCat, mewing cat, as distinct from p’aka<\/em> q.v.\u00a0(TJH). Grimalkin cat (MHA). Chat<\/em>\u00a0(Sx). Mew (Knappert 1979:156).\u00a0Akawa p’aka\u00a0mnyau<\/strong>, mnyau p’aka\u00a0mwele<\/em>; He becomes a mewing cat, a sick mewing cat (MY-Mwina3). Mr. du N., Mv. Par emprunt au Digo, Samb., Bo., Zig., Kami, etc. = Mr. du S., Mg,\u00a0nyau).<\/em> Knappert’s gloss, mew,\u00a0<\/em>used in his translation of another of Muyaka’s poems, reflects the likely onomatopoeic source of the word, akin to English\u00a0meow<\/em>, imitative of a cat’s vocalization.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
mtambuzwa\/wa-<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 1\/2]<\/span><\/td>\nOne told, one reminded, one well-informed (MHA). See \u2013tambuzi<\/em> clever, quick, intelligent, knowing, shrewd; also mtambua\/wa<\/em>–\u00a0<\/em>and\u00a0mtambuzi\/wa<\/em>–<\/em>\u00a0(1) a knowing, clever, well-informed, intelligent person; (2) one able to explain, interpret, fathom difficult problems, etc.; –tambua<\/em>\u00a0recognize, etc.; utambuzi<\/em> mental quickness, intelligence, perception, facility, cleverness, skill; (2) explanation of a difficult problem, answer to a riddle or cryptic saying, etc. (FJ).\u00a0Mwina wa chiza mbwi chile,\u00a0<\/em>mtambuzwa<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>hatambuli!<\/em> It is a deep dark hole, (even) a clever one cannot fathom it! (MY-Mwina1).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
m<\/strong>t<\/u><\/em>eza\/wa-<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 3\/4]<\/span><\/td>\nOne who plays, player; see\u00a0\u2013t<\/u>eza\u00a0<\/em>and\u00a0<\/em>-cheza<\/em>\u00a0 play, etc. (TJH). One who trifles with (MHA).\u00a0Mt<\/u>eza<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>na Nyali K’<\/em>uu kugeua mageule, Humvund<\/u>anga maguu asende mwendo wa kule<\/em>; He who plays with Nyali Kuu to make changes, It smashes his legs so that he cannot go far (MY-Mwina). ND.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
mvumo\/mi-<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 3\/4]<\/span><\/td>\nRoar (MHA). See -vuma<\/em> usually of any low indistinct sound, i.e., roar, growl, rumble, hum, buzz, rustle, e.g. of wind, thunder, wild beasts, insects, drums, e.g.\u00a0bahari inavuma,<\/em>\u00a0of the roaring of breakers on a reef (FJ). Faire r\u00e9sonner comme unbruit de souffle de la temp\u00eate\u2026; Fig.\u00a0<\/em>En parlant de qqn, faire du bruit, \u00eatre bien fam\u00e9, avoir du renom, \u00eatre renomm\u00e9 ou estim\u00e9, illustre, c\u00e8l\u00e8bre, fameux, en honneur; avoir de la r\u00e9putation, s\u2019illustrer; \u00eatre connu au loin (Sx). K’ongowea ja\u00a0<\/em>mvumo<\/em><\/strong>, maangavu maji male<\/em>;<\/em>\u00a0Kongowea is like the roar (of breaking waves); (and its) water is deep and calm (MY-Mwina1).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mwana Mkisi<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 1\/2]<\/span><\/td>\nReputed ancestral queen of Mvita (MHA).\u00a0Gongwa nda\u00a0<\/em>Mwana Mkisi<\/em><\/strong>, Mvita Mji wa Kale<\/em>; Gongwa belongs to Mwana Mkisi, Mvita is an ancient city! (MY-Mwina4).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
mwana\/wa-<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 1\/2]<\/span><\/td>\nLady (TJH). On retrouve encore\u00a0mwana<\/em>\u00a0\u2018dame\u2019 en compos\u00e9 avec le nom d\u2019anciennes reines rest\u00e9es c\u00e9l\u00e8bres,\u00a0Mwana Aziza<\/em>\u00a0de Zanzibar,\u00a0Mwana Mkisi<\/em>\u00a0de Mombasa,\u00a0Mwana Masuru<\/em>\u00a0de Siyu (Sx).\u00a0Gongwa nda\u00a0<\/em>Mwana<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>Mkisi, Mvita Mji wa Kale<\/em>; Gongwa belongs to Mwana Mkisi, Mvita is an ancient city (MY-Mwina4).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
mwanzi\/mi-<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n[n. 3\/4]<\/span><\/td>\nBamboo, hence any reed-like object: tube, pipe; mwanzi wa pua<\/em> nostril, mwanzi wa bunduki<\/em> gun barrel, etc. (FJ). See \u2013angusha mwanzi<\/em> fig. call to arms, etc. (Sx).\u00a0Haishi vingurumio na kwangusha mwanzi<\/strong> mle<\/em>; There is no end to the roaring and call to arms within (MY-Mwina5).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
mwele\/wa-<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n[n. 1\/2]<\/span><\/td>\nSick person (TJH). Malade pl. wawele<\/em> ou waele<\/em> (Sx). Akawa p’aka mnyau, mnyau p’aka mwele<\/strong><\/em>; He becomes a mewing cat, a sick mewing cat (MY-Mwina3). Mv. = Am. G. mwee<\/em>, Ngaz. 2. mwade<\/em>, Nz. 2. muwade<\/em>.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
mwina\/mi-<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n[n. 3\/4 ~ 3\/6]<\/span><\/td>\nAbyss, deeps waters, a deep place in the sea (MHA). Hole, deep place, pit (FJ). Fosse, trou en terre, shimo with plurals given as maina<\/em> ~ mena<\/em> (Sx). Mwina<\/em><\/strong> wa chiza mbwi chile, mtambuzwa hatambuli!<\/em> It is a deep dark hole, (even) a clever one cannot fathom it! (MY-Mwina3).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
nda<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n[cop.]<\/span><\/td>\nContraction of ni ya<\/em> it is of, it is for. Crase pour ni ya<\/em> c’est de, c’est \u00e0, avec extension aux locutions possessives ndangu, ndako, ndake, ndetu, ndenu, ndao<\/em>. Ces forms sont plus usit\u00e9es dans les Dial. Am. G. Ng. qu’ailleurs (Sx). Gongwa nda<\/strong> Mwana Mkisi, Mvita Mji wa Kale<\/em>; Gongwa belongs to Mwana Mkisi, Mvita is an ancient city (MY-Mwina4)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ndeo<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n[n. 9\/10]<\/span><\/td>\nSee ndweo.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ndevo<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n[n. 9\/10]<\/span><\/td>\nSee ndweo. G.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ndr<\/sup>eo<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 9\/10]<\/span><\/td>\nSee ndweo. Am<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ndumo<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n[n. 9\/10]<\/span><\/td>\nWar cry (MHA). Cri de guerre; cf. zumo<\/em> < -luma <\/em>(Sx). Not in FJ. Msiotambua ndumo<\/strong> na utambaji wa kale<\/em>; You who do not recognize (its) war-cries and (its) strategy of old. (MY-Mwina1).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ndweo<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n[n. 9\/10]<\/span><\/td>\nDrunkenness, inebriation; revelry, elation, exhilaration; loudness, boisterous and raucous behavior — according to Sx principally used figuratively; < -lewa<\/em> be drunk (TJH). Loud death groans (MHA). Pride, arrogance (FJ). enivrement (surtout us. au fig.), vie large et sensuelle. Aph. Mvita, mji wa ndweo<\/em>, Mombasa est une ville d\u2019enivrement (Sx). See ndeo<\/em> laxness, slackness, heaviness from overeating (Krapf). Mvit<\/u>a mji wa ndweo<\/strong> ivumayo kwa k’<\/em>elele<\/em>; Mvita is a land of revelry that roars with noise (MY-Mwina5). Ng., Mv. = Am ndr<\/sup>eo<\/em>, G. ndevo<\/em>.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
nga<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n[clitic]<\/span><\/td>\nA morpheme suffixed to verbs to express customary, repetitive action; also to indicate an intensive action (TJH). Doublet de -ga suffixe intensif. S\u2019emploie apr\u00e8s un verbe dont le radical est termin\u00e9 par un consonne (Sx). Also see -ga suffixe qui s’ajoute au pr\u00e9sent et au pass\u00e9 de l’indicatif, au subjonctif, \u00e0 l’imp\u00e9ratif et \u00e0 l’infinitif, le plus souvent pour marquer l’habitude, parfois aussi simplement pour affirmer davantage, marquer la certitude (Sx). Mt<\/u>eza na Nyali K’<\/em>uu kugeua mageule, Humvund<\/u>anga<\/strong> maguu asende mwendo wa kule<\/em>; He who plays with Nyali Kuu to make changes, It smashes his legs so that he cannot go far (MY-Mwina3).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ninga\/ma-<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n[n. 5\/6]<\/span><\/td>\nEyes (MHA). Inika chako kikosi maninga<\/strong> vyema sivule<\/em>; Be humble (lit. bend down your neck), do not raise (your) eyes (MY-Mwina4).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nyali\u00a0K’uu<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n[n. 9]<\/span><\/td>\nOne of several sentimental names for the Swahili quarter of Mombasa Town; see Kongowea, Gongwa, Nuhasi, Mji wa Kale (MHA). Mt<\/u>eza na Nyali K’<\/strong><\/em>uu<\/em><\/strong> kugeua mageule, Humvund<\/u>anga maguu asende mwendo wa kule<\/em>; He who plays with Nyali Kuu to make changes, It smashes his legs so that he cannot go far (MY-Mwina3).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
nyemele<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n[-ile perf.]<\/span><\/td>\nPerfect stem of -nyamaa be silent, be quiet (MHA & TJH). Hait<\/u>owi lililomo, Gongwa isingenyemele<\/strong><\/em>; It (Gongwa) does not reveal what is inside, would that Gongwa were not so quiet. (MY-Mwina1).\u00a0 (See Grammar for Perfect Stem and vowel change).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
p’aka<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n[n. 9\/10 an.]<\/span><\/td>\nCat. Akawa p’aka<\/strong> mnyau, mnyau p’aka<\/strong> mwele<\/em>; He becomes a mewing cat, a sick mewing cat (MY-Mwina).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
t<\/u>‘umbit<\/u>‘umbi<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n[adv.]<\/span><\/td>\nIn abundance, in large quantity, all together, a lot of (TJH). Innumerable (MHA). Tas, monceau, amas, grande quantit\u00e9 ensemble…. t<\/u>‘umbi<\/em>\u00a0ou t<\/u>‘umbi-t<\/u>‘umbi<\/em>\u00a0en tas, en masse, en grande quantit\u00e9. Watu t<\/u>‘umbi<\/em>\u00a0nzima<\/em> (ou t<\/u>‘umbi-t<\/u>‘umbi<\/em>) des gens en foule. Aph. Mvita ina mambo t<\/u>‘umbi<\/em>–t<\/u>‘umbi<\/em>. En cet emploi tumbi<\/em> est tr\u00e8s us. comme syn. de -ngi<\/em>, tele<\/em>. Cf.\u00a0Kitumbi<\/em> (Sx). Not in FJ, but see shumbi<\/em>: 1. deep water, depth; 2. a heap, e.g. shumbi ya mchanga<\/em> a heap of sand (FJ). Ina mambo t<\/u>‘umbit<\/u>‘umbi<\/strong><\/em>, wajuvywa hawajuvile<\/em>; It has numerous affairs, (even) the well-informed do not know about them (MY-Mwina). Mv. Am = P. shumbi<\/em>.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
t’utio<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n[n. 9\/10<\/span><\/td>\nShaking, trembling, throbbing, quivering, quaking, vibration; see FJ -tuta<\/em> beat, throb as of the heart (TJH). Mitetemo (MHA, p.c. 1999). Not in FJ. Not in Sx. Ilitutile <\/em>t’utio<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0p’<\/em>anga za masimba wale<\/em>; It (Mombasa) has brandished quivering swords of the lions (MY-Mwina).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
tambula<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n[v. i.]<\/span><\/td>\nRecognize, know, understand, discern, etc. see -tambua (FJ) Mwina wa chiza mbwi chile, mtambuzwa hatambuli<\/strong>! <\/em>It is a deep dark hole, (even) a clever one cannot fathom it! (MY-Mwina1).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
tambuza<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n[v. cs.]<\/span><\/td>\nArchaic?\u00a0 Remind, inform, someone, etc. See mtambuzwa<\/em> (TJH).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
tambuzi<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n[adj.]<\/span><\/td>\nClever, quick, intelligent, knowing, shrewd (FJ). See mtambuzwa<\/em> (TJH).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
t<\/u>eza<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n[v. i.]<\/span><\/td>\nPlay, play with, etc.; note dental \/t<\/u>\/ (TJH). See FJ \u2013cheza<\/em>. Mt<\/u>eza<\/em><\/strong> na Nyali K’<\/em>uu kugeua mageule, Humvund<\/u>anga maguu asende mwendo wa kule<\/em>; He who plays with Nyali Kuu to make changes, It smashes his legs so that he cannot go far (MY-Mwina).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
t<\/u>owa<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n[v. tr.]<\/span><\/td>\nGive, give up, reveal, etc. (TJH). Reveal (MHA). See St. -toa<\/em> give, etc. NB: dental \/t<\/u>\/. Hait<\/u>owi<\/em><\/strong> lililomo, Gongwa isingenyemele<\/em>;\u00a0 It does not reveal what is inside, would that Gongwa were not so quiet. (MY-Mwina1).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
t<\/u>upila<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n[v. appl.]<\/span><\/td>\nJump across, over; pass over, cross over (TJH). Note dental \/t<\/u>\/. See St. –chupa<\/em> jump down from above (FJ). Usit<\/u>upile<\/em><\/strong> viasi ukenda enda kwa p<\/em>h<\/sup><\/em>ole<\/em>; Do not cross over (its) borders, if you do go (there) go carefully (MY-Mwina4). (The use of –t<\/u>up<\/em>– \u201cjump over\u201d by Muyaka may refer to scaling the walls of Fort Jesus; he was warning the Omani Arabs, long-time antagonists of the inhabitants of Mombasa; see MHA p.19).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
tuta<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n[v. tr.]<\/span><\/td>\nShake, wave in a threatening manner, brandish; carry in amounts, in quantity (TJH). Brandish (MHA, Harries 1962:212). Pile up, carry; 2. beat, throb, as of a heart (FJ). Transporter un ou des fardeauz \u00e0 bras, sur brancard ou charrette; charroyer, fair de charrois; sawa na kuchukua<\/em> walakini -tuta<\/em> ni kuchukua kitu kilicho kingi pamoja, au kwa mikono, au kwa gari (Sx). Ilitutile<\/em><\/strong> t’utio p’anga za masimba wale<\/em>; It has brandished quivering swords of the lions (MY-Mwina5). NB: Note the semantic relationship between the noun\u00a0t’utio<\/em> shaking, throbbing and\u00a0-tuta\u00a0<\/em>shake, shake at, threaten, brandish. \u00a0The connection between the two quite different meanings given by FJ does not seem obvious. \u00a0Also Sx only gives the “carry” meaning.Thus we may be dealing with homonyms here: -tuta1<\/sub> <\/em>carry and \u2013tuta2<\/sub> <\/em>brandish.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
tutile<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n[-ile Perf.]<\/span><\/td>\nPerfect stem of \u2013tuta<\/em>\u00a0brandish q.v.<\/em> (TJH). Ilitutile<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0t’utio \u00a0p’anga za masimba wale<\/em>; It has brandished quivering swords of the lions (MY-Mwina5).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
usha<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n[v. tr.]<\/span><\/td>\nSurge, rise up, rear up, rush in (TJH). Surge (MHA). See -uka<\/em> go away (FJ). Mara huliona wimbi lausha<\/strong> nyuma na mbele<\/em>; Suddenly one sees a wave, it surges to and fro, lit., backward and forward) (MY-Mwina2). Sx in his entry for \u2013usha (listed under \u2013uka quotes the following verse Kunako usha<\/strong> mawimbi, Marra huliona wimbi, Lausha<\/strong> nyuma na mbele<\/em>; L\u00e0 o\u00f9 il y a des vagues d\u00e8ferlant, Soudain on voit la lame, Se dresser derri\u00e8re comme devant (Wherever there are breaking waves, One suddenly sees a wave, Surging in and out). Am. Ng. = G. -usa, SD -rusha.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
utambaji<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n[n. 14]<\/span><\/td>\nStrategy (MHA). Way, manner of crawling, creeping, moving with stealth thus strategy, tactic, scheme, intrigue, maneuvering (TJH). Marche, allure (Sx). See St. -tambaa<\/em> crawl, creep, move slowly (FJ). Msiotambua ndumo na utambaji<\/strong> wa kale<\/em>; You who do not recognize (its) war-cries and (its) strategy of old. (MY-Mwina1).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
vula<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n[v. tr.]<\/span><\/td>\nLift up, raise the eyes; open the eyes (TJH). See -vua<\/em>; hutumika katika msemo: vua macho<\/em> tazama, angalia (KKS). See \u2013vua mat<\/u>o<\/em> ouvrir les yeux (Sx). Inika chako kikosi maninga vyema sivule<\/strong><\/em>; Be humble (lit. bend down your neck), do not raise (your) eyes (MY-Mwina4).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
vund<\/u>a<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n[v. tr.]<\/span><\/td>\nBreak, smash, etc. (TJH). Cf. St. -vunja (FJ). Mt<\/u>eza na Nyali K’uu kugeua mageule, Humvund<\/u>anga<\/strong> maguu asende mwendo wa kule<\/em>; He who plays with Nyali Kuu to make changes, It smashes his legs so that he cannot go far (MY-Mwina3).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
vund<\/u>anga<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n[v. tr.]<\/span><\/td>\nBreak repeatedly, over and over; smash, pulverize; -vund<\/u>a <\/em>+ -nga<\/em>; see \u2013nga<\/em> repetitive enclitic (TJH). See St. -vunja<\/em> break (FJ). Smash (MHA). Humvund<\/u>anga<\/em><\/strong> maguu asende mwendo wa kule<\/em>; It smashes his legs so that he cannot go far (MY-Mwina3).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
wi<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n[adj.]<\/span><\/td>\nEvil, bad, wicked (TJH). See mbi<\/em> cl. 9\/10. K’ongowea aridhi mbi<\/strong> ukenda usijikule<\/em>; Kongowea is an evil land, if you enter do not put on airs\/act boastfully (MY-Mwina2). ND.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  1. K’ongowea ja mvumo, maangavu maji male. Kongowea is like the roar (of breaking waves); with crystal clear deep water.[1] Haitowi lililomo, Gongwa isingenyemele. It does not reveal what is inside; would that Gongwa were not so quiet. Msiotambua ndumo, na utambaji wa kale, You who do not recognize (its) war-cries and (its) strategy … Continue reading Mwina wa Chiza<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":85,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-177","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/177","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=177"}],"version-history":[{"count":26,"href":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/177\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":898,"href":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/177\/revisions\/898"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/85"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=177"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}