{"id":334,"date":"2015-07-07T15:47:46","date_gmt":"2015-07-07T22:47:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/?page_id=334"},"modified":"2026-05-27T10:48:55","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T17:48:55","slug":"mgogoto-wa-leo","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/?page_id=334","title":{"rendered":"Mgogoto wa Leo"},"content":{"rendered":"

by M. M. Mulokozi<\/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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Mgogoto wa Leo<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nToday’s Call to Action<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
(1) Mpendwa njoo karibu, tujitome kitaluni<\/span><\/td>\nMpendwa<\/em>, come close, let’s plunge ourselves into the garden<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Twende sambamba sawia, tutafute cha thamani<\/span><\/td>\nAnd then let’s go along together, let’s look for something of value<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nipe moyo wa<\/span> tabaka<\/span> na ujasiri, mwandani<\/span><\/td>\nEncourage me with bravery in the class struggle, my loving friend<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nami nikutunge koja la risasi kiunoni.<\/span><\/td>\nSo I may shape a wreath of bullets around your waist.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
(2) Mpendwa songa karibu tushikane mikononi<\/span><\/td>\nMpendwa<\/em>, come closer, so we may hold each other in our arms (lit. hold hands)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kwa itikadi ya njaa<\/span> tuungane msibani<\/span><\/td>\nWith the endurance\u00a0of hunger (i.e. that comes from hunger) let us join together in\u00a0misfortune<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kwa roho zenye uchungu tupiganie amani<\/span><\/td>\nWith pained hearts let us fight for peace<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Na kitabu mfukoni, na bunduki mkononi.<\/span><\/td>\nWith a book in (our) pocket and a rifle in hand<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
(3) Mpendwa fanya haraka tuicheze ya zamani<\/span><\/td>\nMpendwa<\/em>, hurry let us play the\u00a0old games<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Njaa yadai chakula, dhuluma yadai nini?<\/span><\/td>\nHunger demands food, \u00a0what does\u00a0<\/span><\/span>oppression demand?<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dawa ya wenye mitaji ni risasi matakoni!<\/span><\/td>\nThe cure for the capitalists is a bullet in the ass!<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Faida gani kukawa: njaa haina lakini.<\/span><\/td>\nWhat is the profit in delaying: hunger has no “but” (i.e. choice).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
(4) Mpendwa u mkulima na jembelo mabegani<\/span><\/td>\nMpendwa<\/em>, you are a farmer with your hoe on your shoulders<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ama mja wa ujira na nyundoyo mkononi<\/span><\/td>\nOr a hired hand with your hammer in hand<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Harufu ya jasho lako imeenea hewani<\/span><\/td>\nThe smell of your sweat wafts abroad in the air<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bali lini ya baruti itakwingia puani?<\/span><\/td>\nBut when will the (smell) of gunpowder fill your nose?<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
(5) Mpendwa u mwanamke mahabusu kitandani<\/span><\/td>\nMpendwa<\/em>, you are a woman imprisoned in bed<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wanja mwororo shavuni na manukato mwilini<\/span><\/td>\nVelvety rouge on your cheeks and perfume on your body<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Acha hiyo sarakasi unaitwa kitaluni<\/span><\/td>\nStop playing around, you are being called to the garden<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tuicheze harakati ni mchezo wa zamani.<\/span><\/td>\nLet\u2019s bring into play the struggle, it\u2019s an old game.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
(6) Wapendwa njooni karibu tushikamane vitani<\/span><\/td>\nWapendwa<\/em>, come close, let us unite in war<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Peo la pendo ni busu — peo la chuki ni nini?<\/span><\/td>\nThe gift of love is a kiss — (but) what is the gift of hate?<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kumbukeni mgogoto wa leo na wa zamani<\/span><\/td>\nRemember today\u2019s call to action and that of long ago<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Leo tufanye maasi: Haki hakina lakini!<\/span><\/td>\nToday we must revolt: Justice has no “but”!<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
(7) Halafu kamata nyundo nami nishike plau<\/span><\/td>\nLater on grab the hammer but for me I must take hold of the plow<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Jilabisi salubeti nami nipe kisibau[1]<\/a><\/span><\/sup><\/span><\/td>\nDress yourself with determination (?),\u00a0as for me give me a\u00a0vest<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tuporomoshe milima na kuwalima nyang’au<\/span><\/td>\nLet us crumble the mountains and cultivate (train, educate) the\u00a0beasts<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mbegu tutayoipanda watu hawatashahau!<\/span><\/td>\nThe seeds that we will plant people will not forget!<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

[1]<\/a><\/sup>The meaning of the word salubeti<\/em> is not known for certain. The translation with an adverbial expression \u2018with determination\u2019 is a guess. It is likely\u00a0an Arabic loan derived from the Arabic root \/s-l-b\/. See msalaba <\/em>\u2018cross\u2019, masulubu <\/em>\u2018strenth, power\u2019, sulubu<\/em> \u2018energy, resilience, difficulty\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

Summary<\/h4>\n

This poem is a call for revolution. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"DSCN2710-Fort<\/a><\/p>\n

Glossary<\/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
acha sarakasi<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n[v. vp.]<\/span><\/td>\nStop playing around, quit doing tricks; see sarakasi<\/em> circus (TJH). Acha hiyo sarakasi unaitwa kitaluni<\/em>, Stop playing around; you are being called to the garden (M&K-ML5)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0cheza harakati<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. vp.]<\/span><\/td>\n\u00a0Bring into play the struggle, start the struggle (TJH). Tuicheze harakati<\/em><\/strong> ni mchezo wa zamani<\/em>, Let\u2019s bring into play the struggle, it\u2019s an old game (M&K-ML5).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
fanya maasi<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. vp.]<\/span><\/td>\nRebel, revolt, take up arms (TJH). See maasi<\/em> a revolt (FJ). Leo tufanye maasi<\/strong>: Haki hakina lakini<\/em>, Today we must revolt: Justice has no “but” (M&K-ML6).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
harakati<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 9\/10]<\/span><\/td>\nActivity, agitation, effort, excitement, movement; operation; procedure, process; struggle (K&K). Juhudi zinazofanywa na watu kwa ajili ya kufikia Iengo fulani, pilikapilika, bidii, juhudi, jitihada, mtukutiko: ~ za ukombozi wa Afrika. 2. vitendo; mtukutiko wa mambo katika nchi, serikali n.k (KKS). Tuicheze harakati<\/strong> ni mchezo wa zamani<\/em>, Let\u2019s bring into play the struggle, it\u2019s an old game (M&K-ML5).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
itikadi<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. reflx.]<\/span><\/td>\nPerseverance, endurance, strength; conviction; ideology (TJH). Faith, belief in a religion or tradition or customs handed down from father to son; (2) perseverance, effort (FJ). Imani katika jambo la dini na jinsi ya mapokezi yake; wanavyofuata; mwafaka wa kufuata jambo fulani, hasa la dini; fikira za kuaminika; imani. 2. mawazo fulani ambayo ni misingi ya nadharia za mfumo wa kisiasa au za kiuchumi (KKS). Kwa itikadi<\/strong> ya njaa tuungane msibani<\/em>, With endurance of hunger (that comes from hunger) let us join together in misfortune (M&K-ML2).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
jilabisi<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. reflx.]<\/span><\/td>\nDress oneself, clothe yourself (TJH). Jilabisi<\/em><\/strong> salubeti (?) nami nipe kisibau, <\/em>Dress yourself with determination (?) as for me give me a vest (M&K-ML7).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
kawa<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. i.]<\/span><\/td>\nTarry, linger, delay, loiter, take a long time, be behind time, be late (TJH). Faida gani kukawa<\/strong>: njaa haina lakini<\/em>, What is the profit in delaying: hunger has no “but” (i.e. choice) (M&K-ML-3).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
kisibau\/vi-<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 7\/8]<\/span><\/td>\nWaistcoat worn over a kanzu<\/em>, vest (TJH). For additional detail see FJ. Jilabisi salubeti (?) nami nipe kisibau<\/strong>, <\/em>Dress yourself with determination (?) as for me give me a vest (M&K-ML7).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0kitalu\/vi-<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n\u00a0[n. 7\/8]<\/span><\/td>\n\u00a0Garden, cultivated plot (TJH). A fence or wall either of stone or wood surrounding a yard, courtyard, or garden; (2) a walled or fenced-in enclosure, courtyard, or garden (FJ). Eneo dogo la ardhi linalopandwa mimea ya chakula; bustani. Pia kitaru<\/em> (KKS). Mpendwa njoo karibu, tujitome kitaluni<\/strong><\/em>, Lover, come close, let’s plunge ourselves into the garden (M&K-ML1).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
koja\/ma-<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 5\/6]<\/span><\/td>\nWreath, garland, chaplet (TJH). Mtungo mrefu wa maua avishwao mtu kama zawadi au pambo (KKS). (1) a neck ornament, a ring with disks or coins attached worn round the neck (cf. koa, urembo); (2) a kind of metal pot (FJ). Nami nikutunge koja<\/strong> la risasi kiunoni<\/em>, So I may shape a wreath of bullets around your waist (M&K-ML1).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
labisi<\/span><\/span><\/td>\n[v. tr.]<\/span><\/td>\nDress, put on garments; See\u00a0libasi<\/em> clothing, garments (TJH). Jilabisi<\/em><\/strong> salubeti (?) nami nipe kisibau, <\/em>Dress yourself with determination (?) as for me give me a vest (M&K-ML7).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
maasi<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 6]<\/span><\/td>\nDisobedience, rebellion, mutiny , desertion, rebelliousness; see -asi<\/em> revolt, rebel\u00a0(FJ). Leo tufanye maasi<\/strong>: Haki hakina lakini<\/em>, Today we must revolt: Justice has no “but” (M&K-ML6).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
mgogoto\/mi-<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 3\/4]<\/span><\/td>\nCall to arms, a call to action, drum beat; see mbiu<\/em> horn, traditional type of trumpet; used similarly: -piga mbiu<\/em> make a proclamation. (TJH). See mgoto<\/em>: sauti isikikanayo wakati kitu kinapogotana na kingine (KKS). Drumbeat, sound of drums, thundering noise, blasts of war; rumor, reputation (K&K). Kumbukeni mgogoto<\/strong> wa leo na wa zamani,<\/em> Remember today\u2019s call to action and that of long ago (M&K-ML6).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
mtaji\/mi-<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 3\/4]<\/span><\/td>\nWealth, capital (TJH). Mali iliyotumika kuanzishia biashara au kazi nyingine yoyote ya kuzalisha mali. 2. mali inayotumiwa katika shughuli za chama au shirika ambayo kwayo faida iliyopatikana hutegemea mali iliyokadiriwa. 3. komwe katika mchezo wa bao zinazomwezesha mchezaji kula komwe za mpinzani wake (KKS). Dawa ya wenye mitaji<\/strong> ni risasi matakoni<\/em>, The cure for the capitalists is a bullet in the ass (M&K-ML3).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
mwandani\/w-<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 1\/2]<\/span><\/td>\nClose\u00a0friend, dear\u00a0friend, intimate friend (TJH). Rafiki wa ndani ya moyo; rafiki wa kuaminika kupewa siri. Pengine mwendani<\/em> (KKS). Nipe moyo wa tabaka na ujasiri, mwandani<\/strong>, <\/em>Encourage me with bravery in the class struggle, my loving friend (M&K-ML1).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
nyang’au\/ma-<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 5\/6 an.]<\/span><\/td>\nWild person, beast, savage, brute (TJH). Mtu mwenye tabia ya kinyama; mtu asiyekuwa na tabia ya kiutu (KKS). Tuporomoshe milima na kuwalima nyang’au<\/strong><\/em>, Let us crumble the mountains and cultivate those beasts (M&K-ML7).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ororo<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[adj.]<\/span><\/td>\nWanja mwororo<\/strong> shavuni na manukato mwilini,<\/em> Velvety rouge on your cheeks and perfume on your body (M&K-ML5).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
poromosha<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. cs.]<\/span><\/td>\nKnock down, cause to crumble, fall down (TJH). See \u2013poromoa<\/em> (FJ). Fanya mkusanyiko wa vitu vingi vianguke kwa mfululizo kutoka juu (KKS). Tuporomoshe<\/em><\/strong> milima na kuwalima nyang’au<\/em>, Let us crumble the mountains and cultivate those beasts (M&K-ML7).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
salubeti<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[adv.]<\/span><\/td>\nFirmly, strongly, energetically; see Arabic loans with the root s-l-b<\/em>: msalaba<\/em> cross, sulubisha<\/em> crucify; sulubu<\/em> firmness, strength, vigor (TJH). Jilabisi salubeti<\/strong> nami nipe kisibau<\/em>, Dress yourself with determination as for me give me a vest \u00a0(M&K-ML7).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
sambamba<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[adv.]<\/span><\/td>\nParallel, along side, shoulder to shoulder, side by side (TJH). Iliyo ubavu kwa ubavu na bila ya kugusana: Magari yamefuatana sambamba; Mistari hii imechorwa (KKS). Twende sambamba<\/strong> sawia, tutafute cha thamani<\/em>, And then let’s go along together, let’s look for something of value (M&K-ML1).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
sarakasi<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 9\/10]<\/span><\/td>\nCircus; see acha <\/em>sarakasi quit playing around, stop the tricks (TJH). Circus (FJ). Acha hiyo sarakasi<\/strong> unaitwa kitaluni<\/em>, Stop playing around; you are being called to the garden (M&K-ML5).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
sawia<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[adv.]<\/span><\/td>\nThen, at that time, just then, on the spot (TJH). Twende sambamba sawia<\/strong>, tutafute cha thamani<\/em>, And then let’s go along together, let’s look for something of value (M&K-ML1).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
songa<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. i.]<\/span><\/td>\nPress, press together, press close, throng, meet in a mass; (2) close up by pressure, squeeze, contract, hem in; (3) act on (form, fashion) by pressing; and (4) fig. apply pressure to, urge, press, overwhelm (FJ). Mpendwa songa<\/strong> karibu tushikane mikononi, Mpendwa<\/em>, squeeze close, so we may hold hands (M&K-ML2).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
tabaka<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 9\/10]<\/span><\/td>\nSocial class, e.g. tabaka ya wafanyakazi<\/em>\u00a0‘worker\u2019s class, class struggle (TJH). Anything laid on another\u2014and so lid, cover, lining (of a dress, &c.), layer, row, stratum, stage, story (of a house) (FJ). Nipe moyo wa tabaka<\/strong> na ujasiri, mwandani, <\/em>Encourage me with bravery in the class struggle, my loving friend (M&K-ML1).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
toma<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. tr.]<\/span><\/td>\nPlunge in, throw into, thrust, sink (TJH). Thrust in, usu. with the Rf. kujitoma<\/em>, to thrust oneself in, burst in (FJ). Mpendwa njoo karibu, tujitome<\/strong> kitaluni<\/em>, Lover, come close, let’s plunge ourselves into the garden (M&K-ML1).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0wanja<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 11\/10]<\/span><\/td>\nRouge, eye make-up, make-up, cosmetics (TJH). Antimony, used by women to blacken the eyebrows, mostly imported from Arabia (FJ). Namna ya rangi…inayotumiwa aghalabu na wanawake kupaka machoni, usoni, mikononi au miguuni kuwa ni pambo (KKS). Wanja<\/em><\/strong> mwororo shavuni na manukato mwilini,<\/em> Velvety rouge on your cheeks and perfume on your body (M&K-ML5).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by M. M. Mulokozi Mgogoto wa Leo Today’s Call to Action (1) Mpendwa njoo karibu, tujitome kitaluni Mpendwa, come close, let’s plunge ourselves into the garden Twende sambamba sawia, tutafute cha thamani And then let’s go along together, let’s look for something of value Nipe moyo wa tabaka na ujasiri, mwandani Encourage me with bravery … Continue reading Mgogoto wa Leo<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":327,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-334","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/334","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=334"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/334\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":961,"href":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/334\/revisions\/961"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/327"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=334"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}