{"id":355,"date":"2015-07-12T11:34:53","date_gmt":"2015-07-12T18:34:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/?page_id=355"},"modified":"2026-05-27T10:48:55","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T17:48:55","slug":"mkulima-by-m-m-mulokozi","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/?page_id=355","title":{"rendered":"Mkulima"},"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\n
(1) Daima alfajiri na mapema<\/span><\/td>\nAlways early in the morning<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hunipitia na jembe na kotama<\/span><\/td>\nHe passes by me with hoe and sickle<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Katika njia iendayo kondeni<\/span><\/td>\nAlong the path\u00a0that goes to the fields<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kama walivyofanya babuze zamani;<\/span><\/td>\nJust as his ancestors did long before him;<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nimuonapo huwa atabasamu<\/span><\/td>\nWhenever I see him he is always smiling<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kama mtu aliye na kubwa hamu<\/span><\/td>\nLike someone with a great desire<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kushika mpini na kutokwa jasho<\/span><\/td>\nTo work his tools (lit., seize the handle) and sweat<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ili kujikimu kupata malisho.<\/span><\/td>\nTo support himself to get his sustenance.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
(2) Anapotembea anasikiliza<\/span><\/td>\nWhile he walks along he’s listening<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Videge vya anga vinavyotumbwiza<\/span><\/td>\nAs the birds of the sky sing sweetly in the sky<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Utadhani huwa vimemngojea<\/span><\/td>\nYou would think they have been waiting<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kwa usiku kucha kuja kumwimbia;<\/span><\/td>\nThe whole night long to come to sing to him;<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pia pepo baridi kumpepea<\/span><\/td>\nThe cool winds refreshing him<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rihi ya maua zikimletea<\/span><\/td>\nBringing him the scent of flowers<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nao umande kumbusu miguu<\/span><\/td>\nAnd also the dew kissing his feet<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Na kumsafisha mavumbi ya juu;<\/span><\/td>\nAnd cleaning off the dust on them (i.e., his feet);<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Na miti yote hujipinda migongo<\/span><\/td>\nWith all the trees bending their backs (over him)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kumpapasa, kumtoa matongo;<\/span><\/td>\nCaressing him, taking away his \u201csleepies\u201d<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Na yeye kuendelea kwa furaha<\/span><\/td>\nAnd he happily continuing on<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kuliko yeyote ninayemjua<\/span><\/td>\nMore so than anyone I know<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Akichekelea ha ha ha ha ha ha …<\/span><\/td>\nSmiling & laughing hah, hah, hah …<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
(3) Na mimi kubaki nikijiuliza<\/span><\/td>\nAnd left behind I can only ask myself<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kuna siri gani inamliwaza?<\/span><\/td>\nWhat sort of secret comforts him?<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Au ni kujua au kutojua?<\/span><\/td>\nDoes he even know or not?<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Furaha ya mtu ni furaha gani<\/span><\/td>\nWhat kind of happiness is a person’s happiness<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Katika dunia inayomhini?<\/span><\/td>\nIn a world which refuses to give him anything?<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ukali wa jua wamnyima zao.<\/span><\/td>\nThe fierceness of the sun refuses to give him a harvest<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
(4) Soko la dunia lamkaba koo;<\/span><\/td>\nThe world market has him by the throat<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dini za kudhani zamsonga roho<\/span><\/td>\nReligions of ??? beat down his spirit<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ayalimia matumbo ya waroho;<\/span><\/td>\nHe cultivates for the stomachs of the greedy;<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kuna jambo gani linamridhisha?<\/span><\/td>\nWhat is it that makes him happy?<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kama si kujua ni kutokujua<\/span><\/td>\nDoes he know or not?<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Laiti angalijua, laiti angalijua!<\/span><\/td>\nOh would that he knew, would that he knew!<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
Summary<\/h5>\n

The poet\u00a0is struck by the peasant’s simple joys and how nature comforts him. He sees his eagerness to begin his day even though the world about him is oppressive and harsh. Yet he holds on to his happiness. How can he be so happy and carefree? What is his secret? Is he even aware of it? The author alludes to global economic policies, viz., soko la duni<\/em>. It is the outside larger world that governs the conditions of daily life in a developing country. Yet, we see the peasant go on, ignorantly or with full awareness, we can’t be sure!<\/p>\n

Glossary<\/h5>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
babu<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 9\/10 an. ~ 5\/6 an.]<\/span><\/td>\nAncestor, grandfather (TJH). Kama walivyofanya babuze<\/strong> zamani;<\/em>\u00a0Just as his ancestors did long before him (M&K-Mk1).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
chekelea<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. intns.]<\/span><\/td>\nLaugh, smile, smile at; see -cheka<\/em> laugh\u00a0(TJH). Akichekelea<\/em><\/strong> ha ha ha ha ha ha …;<\/em>\u00a0Smiling & laughing hah, hah, hah, hah… (M&K-Mk2).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
dini ya kudhani<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. np.]<\/span><\/td>\nReligions of ???.\u00a0Dini za kudhani zamsonga<\/strong> roho;<\/em>\u00a0Religions of ??? beat down his spirit (M&K-Mk4).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
hini<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. tr.]<\/span><\/td>\nRefuse to give (to), withhold (from), keep back (from) (FJ). \u00a0 Fanya hiana; 2. kataa kutoa kitu; nyima (KKS). Furaha ya mtu ni furaha gani Katika dunia inayomhini<\/strong>?<\/em> What kind of happiness is a person’s happiness In a world which refuses to give him anything? (M&K-Mk3).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
kidege\/vi-<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 7\/8 dim.]<\/span><\/td>\nLittle bird (TJH). Anapotembea anasikiliza;\u00a0Videge<\/strong> vya anga vinavyotumbwiza;<\/em>\u00a0While he walks along he’s listening; As the birds are singing sweetly in the sky (M&K-Mk2).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
kimu<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. tr.]<\/span><\/td>\nSupport, provide sustenance (TJH). Pa mtu chakula, nguo n.k. kwa kawaida; pa mtu mahitaji ya maisha; lea, tunza, weka (KKS). Ili kujikimu<\/strong> kupata malisho;<\/em>\u00a0In order to support himself to get his sustenance (M&K-Mk1).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
konde<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 5\/6]<\/span><\/td>\nCultivated field, garden (TJH). A field-clearing, cultivated piece of ground, garden which has been cultivated before (FJ). Hunipitia na jembe na kotama Katika njia iendayo kondeni<\/strong>;<\/em>\u00a0He passes by me with hoe and sickle Along the path\u00a0that goes to the fields (M&K-Mk1).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
kotama<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 9\/10]<\/span><\/td>\nSickle (TJH). A thin carved broad bladed knife, used in getting palm wine (gema tembo<\/em>), esp. for cutting a thin slice from the growing shoot to enable the sap to flow more freely (FJ). Kisu chenye ncha iliyopinduka; ramba; upumba; pia kikotama (KKS). Hunipitia na jembe na kotama<\/strong><\/em>; He passes by me with hoe and sickle (M&K-Mk1).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
liwaza<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. tr.]<\/span><\/td>\nSoothe, comfort (FJ). Bembeleza ili kutoa mtu majonzi; fariji, poza (KKS). Kuna siri gani inamliwaza<\/strong>?<\/em> What sort of secret comforts him? (M&K-Mk3).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
malisho<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 6]<\/span><\/td>\nFood, sustenance (TJH). Pasturage, grazing-ground, paddock, forage, food for cattle (FJ). Ili kujikimu kupata malisho<\/strong><\/em>; To support himself to get his sustenance (M&K-Mk1).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
mroho\/wa-<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 1\/2]<\/span><\/td>\nGreedy, avaricious, covetous person, one who eats hastily, or more than his share when invited to food, also one who frequents other people’s houses in the hope of being invited to food (FJ). <\/span>Ayalimia matumbo ya\u00a0<\/em>waroho<\/i><\/b><\/span>; He cultivates for the stomachs of the greedy (M&K-Mk4).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
papasa<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. tr.]<\/span><\/td>\nCaress, fondle (TJH). Stroke with the hand, touch gently, rub lightly; (2) grope about, feel about, feel one’s way in the dark with hands spread out (FJ). Kumpapasa<\/em><\/strong>, kumtoa matongo;<\/em>\u00a0Caressing him, taking away his sleep (M&K-Mk2).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
pepea<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. tr.]<\/span><\/td>\nBlow on to cool, refresh, fan (TJH). Fan, wave (like a fan), wave about in the air, make a current of air (FJ). Pia pepo baridi kumpepea<\/strong>; The cool winds to refresh him as well (M&K-Mk2).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
rihi<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 9\/10]<\/span><\/td>\nScent, smell (TJH). Harufu (KKS). Gas in the stomach (FJ). Rihi<\/em><\/strong> ya maua zikimletea<\/em>; Bringing him the scent of flowers (M&K-Mk2).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
songa<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. tr.]<\/span><\/td>\nBeat down, oppress (TJH). Dini za kudhani zamsonga<\/strong> roho<\/em>; Religions of ??? beat down his spirit (M&K-Mk4).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
tabasamu<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. i.]<\/span><\/td>\nSmile (FJ). Nimuonapo huwa atabasamu<\/strong><\/em>; Whenever I see him he is always smiling (M&K-Mk1).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
tongo\/ma-<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 5\/6]<\/span><\/td>\nOccular excretum, “sleepies, sleep” (TJH). Kumpapasa, kumtoa matongo<\/strong><\/em>; Caressing him, taking away his sleep (M&K-Mk2).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
tumbwiza<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n\u00a0[n. tr.]<\/span><\/td>\nSerenade, sing sweat songs (TJH). See \u2013tumbuiza, <\/em>soothe by singing, make a soothing sound with or without words, sing to, sing by turns (FJ). Anapotembea anasikiliza, Videge vya anga vinavyotumbwiza<\/strong><\/em>; While he walks along he’s listening, As the birds are singing sweetly in the sky (M&K-Mk2).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by M. M. Mulokozi (1) Daima alfajiri na mapema Always early in the morning Hunipitia na jembe na kotama He passes by me with hoe and sickle Katika njia iendayo kondeni Along the path\u00a0that goes to the fields Kama walivyofanya babuze zamani; Just as his ancestors did long before him; Nimuonapo huwa atabasamu Whenever I … Continue reading Mkulima<\/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-355","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/355","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=355"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/355\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":840,"href":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/355\/revisions\/840"}],"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=355"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}