{"id":407,"date":"2015-07-23T14:12:19","date_gmt":"2015-07-23T21:12:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/?page_id=407"},"modified":"2026-05-27T10:48:55","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T17:48:55","slug":"msiba-uliotuangukia","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/?page_id=407","title":{"rendered":"Msiba Uliotuangukia"},"content":{"rendered":"

By K.K. Kahigi<\/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\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\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\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
Msiba Uliotuangukia<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nThe Disaster That Has Befallen Us<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1. Kwa kweli tulikuwa hatulijui<\/span><\/td>\nTruly we had\u00a0not know about it<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tulikuwa hatujaliona zimwi,<\/span><\/td>\nWe had not yet seen the creature<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tulisikia tu likisimuliwa<\/span><\/td>\nWe only heard stories being told about it<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kwenye ngano wazee walizoganuwa.<\/span><\/td>\nIn the stories which the old men told.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lakini msiba hauna ishara<\/span><\/td>\nBut misfortune has no warning<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bila ya habari hukufika mara[1]<\/a><\/sup>;<\/span><\/td>\nWithout notice it befalls you suddenly (typo)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pengine hukuonjesha nyingi dhiki[2]<\/a><\/sup><\/span><\/td>\nSometimes it makes you taste much agony<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Au hukuuma, madonda yabaki.<\/span><\/td>\nOr sometimes it hurts you with wounds remaining.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2. Hatujui jinsi yalivyotukuta;<\/span><\/td>\nWe don’t know how they found us;<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Masaibu haya njia zake tata.<\/span><\/td>\nSuch misfortunes, their ways are a mystery.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Usiku huo twali tumesinzia<\/span><\/td>\nThat night we were\u00a0carelessly asleep<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Na ndoto kwa wingi tukijiotea,<\/span><\/td>\nAnd dreams in abundance dreaming of ourselves,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tuliulala usingizi mnono<\/span><\/td>\nWe slept a deep sleep<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Na kumbato lao lali ni mswano.<\/span><\/td>\nAnd its embrace was good.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Au ni zimwi lali limetuloga[3]<\/a><\/sup><\/span><\/td>\nOr had the evil one bewitched us<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tulale fofofo kwa wake uganga?<\/span><\/td>\nSo we would be dead\u00a0asleep from his spell?<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3. Hatujui lilivyopajia petu,<\/span><\/td>\nWe don’t know how it came to our place,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hatujui ‘livyofikia jiji letu,<\/span><\/td>\nWe don’t know how it reached our city,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bali tunajua tulipomaizi<\/span><\/td>\nBut we just knew when we knew<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Twali tumboni mwa zimwi – pa chefuzi!<\/span><\/td>\nWe were in the belly of the zimwi<\/em> – a disgusting place<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tulikuwa humo tumejaa pomo<\/span><\/td>\nWe were inside there, we filled it up completely<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nafasi ya hewa yali haba humo,<\/span><\/td>\nThe room for air in there was not enough \/ there was not enough room in there for air,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ndipo tukajua kuwa tumemezwa,<\/span><\/td>\nThen we knew that we were swallowed up,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Usingizi tulipokuwa ‘medarwa;<\/span><\/td>\nWhen we were taken (in our) sleep;<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ni wachache waloweza kukimbia<\/span><\/td>\nThere were few who were able to run away<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Na kwokoka kumezwa na zimwi baa.<\/span><\/td>\nAnd be saved from being swallowed by the evil monster.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4. Baadhi yetu tukawa twashangaa,<\/span><\/td>\nSome of us were astonished,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wengine wakawa wanalialia<\/span><\/td>\nSome were weeping and wailing<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wengine wakatetemeka kwa hofu<\/span><\/td>\nOthers shook with fright<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wakiwaza kuwa karibu ni wafu,<\/span><\/td>\nThinking that they were nearly dead,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wengine wakashikwa nyingi ghadhabu,<\/span><\/td>\nSome were seized by great rage,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Na wengine wakakaa kama mabubu;<\/span><\/td>\nAnd others sat as if dumb;<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wengine wakajitoa kwa msiba<\/span><\/td>\nSome surrendered to the disaster<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ambao ulikuwa umewakumba<\/span><\/td>\nWhich had afflicted them<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wengine mashujaa walo waongo,<\/span><\/td>\nOther brave ones who in fact were not truly brave \/ others with false bravado,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wakakaa wamenyosha zao shingo<\/span><\/td>\nSat with outstretched necks (kijvuna KK)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ijapokuwa moyoni walihofu<\/span><\/td>\nAlthough in their hearts they were afraid<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kwamba leo utawanyotea ufu!<\/span><\/td>\nThat today death would rain down upon them<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5. Sijui tulikaa kitambo gani<\/span><\/td>\nI don’t know how long we sat<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bila wazo la maana humo tumboni!<\/span><\/td>\nWithout any worthwhile thought there in the belly!<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ndipo mara uchefuzi ukazidi<\/span><\/td>\nIt was then all of a sudden the foulness became excessive<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nasi ndipo kuchefuka kukazidi,<\/span><\/td>\nAnd as for us then our own nausea increased even more (correction: chafuka > chefuka<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tukayongayonga na pia kwanguka,<\/span><\/td>\nWe tottered and stumbled about and even fell,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6. Mnuko ukazidi, tukatapika,<\/span><\/td>\nAs the stench increased we vomited<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ulipokithiri tukatapatapa:<\/span><\/td>\nWhen it got worse, we struggled and thrashed about:<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tukienda hapa, si nafuu hapa;<\/span><\/td>\nGoing here, (there was) no relief here<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Na tukitaka kupaendea huko<\/span><\/td>\nAnd if we want to go over there<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hatupati nafasi kufika huko.<\/span><\/td>\nWe never reach there.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mnuko ukazidi, tukatapika,<\/span><\/td>\nThe stench increased and so we vomited,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Na watu kumi chini wakaanguka:<\/span><\/td>\nAnd ten people they fell down<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tukaona kuwa hao wamekwisha<\/span><\/td>\nAnd we saw that they were done for<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wamekwisha kufa zimwi kulilisha.<\/span><\/td>\nThey were already dead and food for the monster<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Na mara hiyo hiyo sita wengine<\/span><\/td>\nAnd right at that moment six others<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wak’anguka, wakifwatwa na wanne,<\/span><\/td>\nFell, followed by four more,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
7. Wengine tukakithiri kushangaa,<\/span><\/td>\nAs for the rest of us, we were astonished\u00a0all the more,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wengine wakazidi kulialia,<\/span><\/td>\nOthers began to weep and sob even more<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wengine wakazidi kutetemeka,<\/span><\/td>\nSome began to shake and tremble even more<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Maana tuliogopa kuanguka:<\/span><\/td>\nBecause we were afraid to fall<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wengine zikazidi zao ghadhabu,<\/span><\/td>\n(And for) the others their rage got worse<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wengine wakazidi kuwa mabubu,<\/span><\/td>\nSome became even more silent<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wengine walojitoa kwa msiba<\/span><\/td>\nOthers who had surrendered to the disaster<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nyimbo nyingi za huzuni waliimba,<\/span><\/td>\nThey sang many sad songs<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wengine mashujaa walo waongo,<\/span><\/td>\nOthers with false bravado (Other brave ones who are imposters.)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wakakaa wamenyosha zao shingo,<\/span><\/td>\nSat with their necks stretched out<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ijapokuwa moyoni walihofu<\/span><\/td>\nEven though in their hearts they were afraid<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kuanguka watafuata halafu.<\/span><\/td>\nOf falling and later following the others.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
8. Ndipo baina yetu mtu mmoja,<\/span><\/td>\nThen from among us a certain man,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mzee kidogo, maisha ‘meonja,<\/span><\/td>\nSomewhat old, he had already tasted life,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Katunyamazisha sote na kusema:<\/span><\/td>\nMade us all be quiet and said:<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tazama, jama, janga limetuponza!<\/span><\/td>\nLook, folks, a calamity has put us in danger!<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lakini hivi hivi kukaakaa,<\/span><\/td>\nBut just sitting around like this,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pasipo kujaribu kujiokoa<\/span><\/td>\nWithout trying to save ourselves<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ni jambo la kijinga kupindukia,<\/span><\/td>\nIs something completely stupid,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lisilo kifani katika dunia.<\/span><\/td>\nWithout comparison in the world.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kweli tukichelewa kujiokoa,<\/span><\/td>\nTruly if we delay\u00a0in saving ourselves<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Humu tumboni sote tutaozea<\/span><\/td>\nRight inside this belly all of us will rot<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tutaoza tulinenepeshe zimwi<\/span><\/td>\nWe will rot to fatten the monster<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tulipatie uwezo hili zimwi;<\/span><\/td>\nSo that we might provide power for this creature;<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tutalipatia murua afia<\/span><\/td>\nWe will furnish perfect health for it<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Maisha kuyaishi litaendelea.<\/span><\/td>\nAnd it will go on living its life.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Litaendelea kuwameza watu<\/span><\/td>\nIt will continue swallowing people up<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Litaendelea kwangamiza watu!<\/span><\/td>\nIt will continue destroying everyone!<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Shime wananchi tutafute njia<\/span><\/td>\nCome on now, countrymen, let us look for a way<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tumboni humu tupate jiondoa!”<\/span><\/td>\nTo get ourselves out of this belly<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ndipo akatutazama kwa rajua,<\/span><\/td>\nAnd then he looked at us with hope<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ambayo nasi ilitwingia pia.<\/span><\/td>\nWhich entered us all as well<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tulikuwa tumeishiwa rajua,<\/span><\/td>\nWe had lost all hope<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sasa tukakohoa kwayo rajua:<\/span><\/td>\nAnd now we choked on that same hope:<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
9. Tulokuwa tumebaki kushangaa,<\/span><\/td>\nThose of us there were left astounded,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tukaanza akili kuzitumia;<\/span><\/td>\nWe then began to use our brains;<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Walokuwa wazidi kutetemeka,<\/span><\/td>\nThose who had been trembling the most,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kutetemeka kwao kukapunguka,<\/span><\/td>\nTheir shaking grew less,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Waliokuwa wamejawa ghadhabu<\/span><\/td>\nThose who were filled with rage<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Na walokuwa wako kama mabubu<\/span><\/td>\nAnd those who were there like mutes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ama walitoa macho kwa rajua<\/span><\/td>\nEither opened their eyes with hope<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Au walibakia walivyokuwa;<\/span><\/td>\nOr remained there as they were;<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Na walojitoa kwa huu msiba<\/span><\/td>\nAnd those who had surrendered to this disaster<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rajua machoni mwao ilitamba;<\/span><\/td>\nHope leaped forth in their eyes;<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Na wale walojidai mashujaa<\/span><\/td>\nAnd those who acted like they were brave<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nao wakaingiwa nyingi rajua.<\/span><\/td>\nEven they were instilled with much hope.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10. Akili zetu kweli zikazinduka,<\/span><\/td>\nOur minds truly awoke<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Majadiliano mema yakafanyika:<\/span><\/td>\nGood discussions were held:<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mara kupingana, mara kupatana;<\/span><\/td>\nOne moment in opposition, another in agreement<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tuliendelea kujadiliana<\/span><\/td>\nWe continued on with our debates<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mpaka mwisho patano tukalifika<\/span><\/td>\nUntil we finally reached agreement<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
(Wengine kumi wali wameanguka).<\/span><\/td>\n(Some ten of us had fallen.)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sote tuk’amua zimwi tulichome,<\/span><\/td>\nWe all decided we must\u00a0spear the creature<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mpaka tuliue au lituteme.<\/span><\/td>\nUntil we killed it or it spit us out<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Basi kila mtu kashika imara<\/span><\/td>\nWell then every one firmly grasped<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Chochote kinachoweza kuparura<\/span><\/td>\nWhatever would be able to scratch (at him)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Na kuacha alama isiyofutwa:<\/span><\/td>\nAnd leave irremoveable marks<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mikuki, mapanga, visu, mawe pia<\/span><\/td>\nSpears, pangas, knives, even rocks<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vilivyokuwa vimemezwa na zimwi<\/span><\/td>\nThings that had been swallowed by the creature<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tukavitafuta kulichoma zimwi.<\/span><\/td>\nWe searched for them to run the monster through.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
11. Na mara shambulio tukalianza<\/span><\/td>\nAnd as soon as we began the attack<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Huku sauti za chuki twazipaza:<\/span><\/td>\nAll the while raising voices of loathing:<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Toboa litumbo la nduli kafiri<\/span><\/td>\nPuncture open the odious stomach of the accursed beast<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Atakaye tumbole lituhasiri!<\/span><\/td>\nWho wants his stomach to destroy us!<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tukalichoma, tukalikata sana,<\/span><\/td>\nWe plunged our weapons in, we severely cut it,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Damu humo ikatiririka sana.<\/span><\/td>\nIts blood inside was gushing out.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
12. Ilikuwa kidogo tu imebaki<\/span><\/td>\nThere was just a little bit left (to cut )<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tutoboe nje ya zimwi kwa haki,<\/span><\/td>\nFor us to truly bore out of the creature<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ila mara tukasikia laliya,<\/span><\/td>\nBut all of a sudden we heard it howl<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kadhalika kuanza kuwayawaya!<\/span><\/td>\nAnd as well begin to totter and sway!<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mara hiyo hiyo likatutapika,<\/span><\/td>\nAll of a sudden then and there it vomited us up,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ghafla bwa! sote chini tukabwagika;<\/span><\/td>\nSuddenly bwa!<\/em> we were all spilled out on the ground<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Halafu zimwi hilo! Mbioni hilo!<\/span><\/td>\nAnd then that creature! With what speed that one!<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lilizitimua mbio kifarasi<\/span><\/td>\nIt took off speedily like a horse<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Na kupotea upeoni kwa kasi!<\/span><\/td>\nAnd disappeared quickly beyond the horizon!<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nasi sote kwa furaha tukacheka,<\/span><\/td>\nAs for us we all laughed with joy,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kwa uhuru na rajua tukacheka.<\/span><\/td>\nFor freedom and hope we laughed<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kweli hatukwamini hata kidogo,<\/span><\/td>\nWe could not really believe it at all,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kuwa tuko huru tulidhani wongo!<\/span><\/td>\nThat we were free, we thought it untrue!<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
13. Kweli hii ni nchi yetu asili<\/span><\/td>\nIndeed is this our traditional land<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tuliyorithi kwa babu wa awali?<\/span><\/td>\nWhich we inherited from our first ancestors?<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nchi ilojaa uki na maziwa,<\/span><\/td>\nA land filled with honey and milk,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Na ardhi yenye rutuba nakawa?<\/span><\/td>\nAnd a land with the finest fertility?<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kweli hatukwamini hata kidogo<\/span><\/td>\nTruly we could not believe it at all<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kuwa tuko huru – tulidhani wongo!<\/span><\/td>\nThat we were free – we thought it couldn’t be true!<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
(Nimesema kuwa sote tuliokoka<\/span><\/td>\n(Have I said that all of us were saved<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Na kwa uhuru na furaha kucheka?<\/span><\/td>\nAnd that with freedom and joy we laughed?<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
La! Wale walokuwa wameanguka,<\/span><\/td>\nNo! Those who had fallen,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kwa bahati mbaya hawakuokoka:<\/span><\/td>\nUnfortunately they were not saved:<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zimwi lilipotema walio wima<\/span><\/td>\nWhen the creature spit out those still upright<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lilifunga domo, mbyoni kujitoma!)<\/span><\/td>\nIt closed its terrible mouth and bolted off in a run!)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
14. Ama tulifurahi kuvuta hewa,<\/span><\/td>\nIndeed we rejoiced to breathe\u00a0in the air<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tukatanafusi, vyema tukapumuwa;<\/span><\/td>\nWe recovered our breath, we breathed well<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ama tulifurahi kuona mwanga<\/span><\/td>\nTruly we rejoiced to see the light<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ambao tumboni hatukuuonja;<\/span><\/td>\nWhich in the (creature’s) belly we never tasted it;<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ama tulifurahi kuishi maisha<\/span><\/td>\nIndeed we rejoiced to live our lives<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Yetu ya asili ya kuneemesha.<\/span><\/td>\nOur earlier grace-filled lives.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
15. Wale tuliokuwa tukishangaa,<\/span><\/td>\nThose of us who were astounded,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Na wale waliokuwa wakilia,<\/span><\/td>\nAnd those who were crying,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wale walokuwa wakitetemeka<\/span><\/td>\nThose who were trembling<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Na waliokuwa wameghadhabika,<\/span><\/td>\nAnd who had been in a rage,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wale walokuwa wamekaa kimya<\/span><\/td>\nThose who had stayed quiet<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Na wale kwa msiba walojitoa[4]<\/a>,<\/span><\/td>\nAnd those who surrendered to the misfortune,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Na wale mashujaa wale waongo,<\/span><\/td>\nAnd those false heroes,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Walokaa wamenyosha zao shingo<\/span><\/td>\nWho sat with outstretched necks<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Naam naam sote kwa hakika<\/span><\/td>\nYes yes all of us indeed<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tukafurahika, tukafurahika.<\/span><\/td>\nWe rejoiced, we were overjoyed.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
16. Ngoma zikapigwa kusherehekea<\/span><\/td>\nThe drums were beaten in celebration of<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hii siku yetu ya kujiokoa,<\/span><\/td>\nThis our day of deliverance,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sherehe kubwa sana ilifanyizwa<\/span><\/td>\nA very great celebration was prepared<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ajili ya wokofu toka kumezwa.<\/span><\/td>\nIn honor of our deliverance from being swallowed.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hata hivyo tuliuchunga upeo<\/span><\/td>\nBut even so we kept watch on the horizon<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ambapo zimwi lilipitia mbio;<\/span><\/td>\nWhere the creature had passed over in a rush<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hata leo upeo tunaulinda<\/span><\/td>\nEven today we guard the horizon<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kwa wangalifu sana tunaulinda.<\/span><\/td>\nWith diligent watchfulness we protect it.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tunajua mwewe akiona kuku<\/span><\/td>\nWe know that the kite on seeing chickens<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Huwatamani kuwala kila siku,<\/span><\/td>\nDesires at all times to eat them,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kimburu akiwaona vifaranga<\/span><\/td>\nWhen the feral cat sees chicks<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hujia daima kuwazongazonga!<\/span><\/td>\nIt always comes round to creep up and attack them.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

[1]<\/a><\/sup>Text has kukufika<\/em>; Kahigi corrected this to hukufika.<\/em><\/p>\n

[2]<\/a><\/sup>Text has kukuonjesha<\/em>; Kahigi corrected this to hukuonjesha<\/em>.<\/p>\n

[3]<\/a> <\/sup>Text has limetulega<\/em>; Kahigi corrected this to limetuloga.<\/em><\/p>\n

[4]<\/a><\/sup> Test has walijitoa<\/em>; Kahigi corrected this to walojitoa.<\/em><\/p>\n

Summary<\/h5>\n

In this allegorical composition the poet speaks of disaster in the guise of a monsterous creature which has ravaged the land and its people. \u00a0In vivid imagery he describes the horror of its predations. In the end it is driven off by the concerted efforts of the people. \u00a0A reasonable interpretation holds that the zimwi, <\/em>so vividly described,\u00a0is colonialism.<\/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\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
ali<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. BE]<\/span><\/td>\nPast tense , -a- + li (see Grammar Notes). Na kumbato lao lali ni mswano;<\/em>\u00a0And its embrace was good (M&K-MU3). Au ni zimwi lali limetuloga;<\/em>\u00a0Or had the evil one bewitched us (M&K-MU3). Usiku huo twali tumesinzia, Na ndoto kwa\u00a0wing\u00a0tukijiotea;<\/em>\u00a0That night we were carelessly asleep, And dreams in abundance dreaming of ourselves (M&K-MU2).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ama<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[intrj.]<\/span><\/td>\nIndeed, certainly, truly; see Arabic in FJ gloss following (TJH). Expression of annoyance, impatience, etc., like ala<\/em>, and ati<\/em>, also (2) used in asking a question. Ama! huna habari ya mambo yaliyotokea jana?<\/em> I say, have not you heard of what took place yesterday? Ama! yeye ni mjinga tu<\/em>, Oh! he is only a fool. (Ar. truly, indeed, etc.). Ama tulifurahi kuvuta\u00a0hewa<\/em>; Indeed we rejoiced to draw in the air (M&K-MU14).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
baa<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 5\/6]<\/span><\/td>\nEvil, disaster, calamity, anything which brings bad luck or disaster; (2) an ill-omened person, one who causes disaster, brings bad luck (FJ). Ni wachache waloweza kukimbia, Na kwokoka kumezwa na zimwi baa<\/em>; There were few who were able to run away, And be saved from being swallowed up by the evil monster (M&K-MU3).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
bwa!<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[ideo.]<\/span><\/td>\nExpressive of the noise of something quickly and forcefully ejected; see bwaga<\/em>, bwagika,<\/em> etc. Also see Ashton (1944:313-315) for a list of ideophones. (TJH). Ghafla bwa! sote chini tukabwagika<\/em>, Suddenly bwa!<\/em> we were all spilled out on the ground (M&K-MU12).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
bwagika<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. st.]<\/span><\/td>\nBe thrown down, be spilled out (TJH). See \u2013bwaga <\/em>throw off, throw down, relieve oneself of (as to, with). Bwaga mzigo<\/em>, tip a load off one’s shoulders, throw it on the ground. Bwaga moyo<\/em>, rest the mind, throw off melancholy, be cheered. Bwaga wimbo<\/em>, give a lead in singing. Bwaga matukano<\/em>, let off a volley of abuse. Bwaga manza<\/em>, cause contention, litigation, etc. Jibwagia moyo, relieve one’s mind<\/em> (FJ). Ghafla bwa! sote chini tukabwagika<\/em>, Suddenly bwa!<\/em> we were all spilled out on the ground (M&K-MU12).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
chefuka<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. st.]<\/span><\/td>\nBe sick to the stomach, be nauseous (TJH). Cause (sic) a feeling of sickness, or nausea (FJ). Nasi ndipo kuchefuka kukazidi<\/em>, And as for us then our own nausea increased even more (M&K-MU5).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
chefuzi<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 9]<\/span><\/td>\nNausea, queasiness, vomiting, retching; Something nauseating, unpleasant, disagreeable, abominable, offensive, gross, sickening, repulsive, disgusting (TJH). Not in FJ in this form but see -chefuka<\/em> cause (sic) a feeling of sickness, or nausea; kichefuchefu<\/em> nausea, a sick feeling (FJ). Also see chafua<\/em>: fanya kuwa chafu; tia takataka; haribu. 2. tawanya ovyo; vuruga, fujo. 3. tia hasira; kasirisha, chukiza: chafua moyo<\/em> fanya mtu kutaka kutapika. Pia chefua<\/em> (KKS). Twali tumboni mwa zimwi – pa chefuzi<\/em>; We were in the belly of the zimwi<\/em> – a disgusting place (M&K-MU3).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
chuki<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n.9]<\/span><\/td>\nIll humour, bad temper, dislike, resentment (FJ). See -a chuki<\/em> [adj.] hateful, loathing, horrible, despicable (TJH). Huku sauti za chuki twazipaza;<\/em>\u00a0All the while raising voices of loathing (M&K-MU11).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
dara<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. tr]<\/span><\/td>\nSeize, catch, touch, arrest (FJ). Usingizi tulipokuwa ‘medarwa, Ni wachache waloweza kukimbia;<\/em>\u00a0When we were taken (in our) sleep, There were few who were able to run away (M&K-MU3).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
dhiki<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 9\/10]<\/span><\/td>\nDistress, stress, pain, agony, strain (TJH). Narrowness, want of space, confinement; 2. being pressed, annoyance, distress (FJ). Pengine hukuonjesha nyingi dhiki<\/em>; Sometimes it makes you taste much agony (M&K-MU1).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
domo\/ma-<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 5\/6]<\/span><\/td>\nTerrible, ugly, nasty mouth (TJH). See mdomo<\/em> 3\/4 “mouth” (FJ). Zimwi … lilifunga domo, mbyoni kujitoma;<\/em>\u00a0The creature … closed its terrible mouth and bolted off in a run! (M&K-MU13).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
fanyizwa<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. cs. ps.]<\/span><\/td>\nBe prepared, be made, be provided (TJH). Cause to make, cause a making of, cause to be made, repair, but in order, mend, have (a thing) done (by giving orders, personal attention, &c.), provide, get ready (FJ). Sherehe kubwa sana ilifanyizwa<\/em>, A very great celebration was prepared (M&K-MU16).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
fofofo<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[ideo.]<\/span><\/td>\nCompletely, absolutely, but only used with kufa<\/em>, to die, and kulala<\/em>, to lie down or sleep. Amekufa (amelala) fofofo<\/em>, he is absolutely dead (fast asleep) (FJ). Tulale fofofo kwa wake uganga;<\/em>\u00a0So we would be dead\u00a0asleep from his spell (M&K-MU2).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ganuwa<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. tr.]<\/span><\/td>\nTell story; back formation from ngano<\/em> story, tale (TJH). Not in KKS\/FJ. Kwenye ngano wazee walizoganuwa<\/em>, In the stories which the old men told (M&K-MU1).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
hasiri<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. tr.]<\/span><\/td>\nInjure, damage, hurt, inflict loss on (FJ). Toboa litumbo la nduli kafiri, Atakaye tumbole lituhasiri<\/em>; Puncture open the odious stomach of the accursed beast Who wants his stomach to destroy us (M&K-MU11).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ishara<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 9\/10]<\/span><\/td>\nSign, signal, omen, indication, warning, hint. 2. token. 3. a wonder, remarkable, thing, fact. etc. (FJ). Lakini msiba hauna ishara<\/em>; But misfortune has no warning (M&K-MU1).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
jama<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 9\/10 an.]<\/span><\/td>\nSee jamaa:<\/em> number of persons gathered or collected together, family, society, company, assembly, gathering, meeting (FJ). Chap, guy, bloke (K&K). Tazama, jama,\u00a0janga\u00a0limetuponza;<\/em>\u00a0Look, folks, a calamity has put us in danger (M&K-MU8).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
janga<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 5]<\/span><\/td>\nDifficulty, trouble, annoyance, danger, calamity (FJ). Tazama, jama,\u00a0janga\u00a0<\/strong>limetuponza;<\/em>\u00a0Look, folks, a calamity has put us in danger (M&K-MU8).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
jawa<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. ps.]<\/span><\/td>\nBe filled, be full, esp. of what are not natural, suitable, usual contents (FJ). Waliokuwa wamejawa ghadhabu<\/em>, Those who were filled with rage (M&K-MU9).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
jitoa<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. reflx.]<\/span><\/td>\nGive oneself up, surrender oneself (TJH). Give up, resign, yield, e.g. adui wakajitoa<\/em>, the enemy surrendered (FJ). Wengine wakajitoa kwa msiba<\/em>; Some surrendered to the disaster (M&K-MU4).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
jitoma<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. reflx.]<\/span><\/td>\nTake off in a burst of energy, bolt off in a hurry (TJH). See -toma:\u00a0<\/em>Thrust in, usu. with the Reflx. kujitoma<\/em>, to thrust oneself in, burst in (FJ). Ingia ghafula au kwa nguvu (KKS). Zimwi \u2026 lilifunga domo, mbyoni kujitoma<\/em>; The creature \u2026 closed its terrible mouth and bolted off in a run! (M&K-MU13).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
kafiri\/ma-<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 5\/6]<\/span><\/td>\nAccursed, cursed, abominable, god-awful (TJH). One who is not of the Muhammadan religion, an infidel, an unbeliever, an atheist, a pagan, an apostate (FJ). Toboa litumbo la nduli kafiri<\/em>; Tear open the odious stomach of the accursed beast (M&K-MU11). NB: In this citation the sense of \u201caccursed\u201d, etc. derives from the religious denotation of the word.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
kimburu\/vi-<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 7\/8]<\/span><\/td>\nFeral cat (TJH). Semi-wild cat (FJ). Aina ya mnyama kama paka anayeishi porini na agh. hukamatakamata vifaranga vya kuku (KKS). Kimburu akiwaona vifaranga, Hujia daima kuwazongazonga;<\/em>\u00a0When the feral cat sees chicks, It always comes to creep up and attack them (M&K-MU16).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
kithiri<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. i.]<\/span><\/td>\nGet to be more, do in addition, cause to be more, increase, grow (FJ). Wengine tukakithiri kushangaa;<\/em>\u00a0As for the rest of us, we all the more were astonished (M&K-MU7).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
kumba<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. tr.]<\/span><\/td>\nPush, shove, press against, jostle, attack, e.g. alikumbwa na simba<\/em>, he was sprung upon by a lion (FJ). Ambao ulikuwa umewakumba;<\/em>\u00a0Which had afflicted them (M&K-MU4).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
kwa haki<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[adv.]<\/span><\/td>\nTruly, certainly, etc. (TJH). Ilikuwa kidogo tu imebaki, Tutoboe nje ya zimwi kwa haki;\u00a0<\/em> There was just a little bit left (to cut ), For us to truly bore out of the creature (M&K-MU12).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
lala fofofo<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. phrase]<\/span><\/td>\nSleep deeply, sleep soundly, be dead asleep (TJH). See fofofo<\/em> (FJ). Tulale fofofo kwa wake uganga;<\/em>\u00a0So we would be dead\u00a0asleep from his spell (M&K-MU2).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
litumbo<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 5\/6 derog.]<\/span><\/td>\nSickening, vile, odious, stomach; also jitumbo<\/em> [TJH]. Toboa litumbo la nduli kafiri;<\/em>\u00a0Puncture open the odious stomach of the accursed beast (M&K-MU11).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
loga<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. tr.]<\/span><\/td>\nBewitch, use enchantment on, place under a spell or charm, practice black magic against with intention to do harm (FJ). Au ni zimwi lali limetuloga;<\/em>\u00a0Or had the evil one bewitched us (M&K-MU2).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
maizi<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. tr.]<\/span><\/td>\nKnow, understand, recognize (FJ). Jua, tambua, fahamu, elewa (KKS). Bali tunajua tulipomaizi<\/em>; But we just knew when we knew (M&K-MU3).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
masaibu<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 6]<\/span><\/td>\nCalamity, misfortune; see -sibu<\/em> afflict, bring misfortune (ruin, damage) upon (FJ). Masaibu haya njia zake\u00a0tata;<\/em>\u00a0Such misfortunes, their ways are a mystery (M&K-MU2).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
mbio<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 9\/10; adv.]<\/span><\/td>\nQuickly, rapidly, speedily, in a rush (TJH). Act of running, running with speed, fast. Piga<\/em> mbio<\/em>, run. Enda mbio<\/em>, go quickly (FJ). Lilizitimua mbio kifarasi;<\/em>\u00a0It took off speedily like a horse (M&K-MU12).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
mbyo<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 9\/10; adv.]<\/span><\/td>\nIn a run, quickly, etc.; see mbio<\/em> (TJH). Lilifunga domo, mbyoni kujitoma;<\/em>\u00a0It closed its terrible mouth and bolted off in a run (M&K-MU13).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
mnuko\/mi-<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 3\/4]<\/span><\/td>\nSmell, odor, stink, stench (TJH). A bad smell (FJ). Mnuko ukazidi, tukatapika;<\/em>\u00a0As the stench increased we vomited (M&K-MU6).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
msiba\/mi-<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 3\/4]<\/span><\/td>\nMisfortune, disaster (TJH). Calamity, misfortune, untoward accidents, disaster; (2) sorrow, distress of mind, grief; (3) formal mourning, outward signs of sorrow, etc. Used of war, famine, sickness, and minor calamities. Msiba mkuu<\/em> (mkubwa, mgumu<\/em>), a great disaster. Frequently refers to a bereavement, i.e. msiba wa baba yake<\/em>, the death of his father. Vaa nguo za msiba<\/em>, wear mourning. Fanya (ona, ingia, pata, &c.) msiba<\/em>, take to heart, grieve (over). Kwenda kupa mkono wa msiba<\/em>, go and make a visit of condolence, offer sympathy, inquire after\u2014after a funeral, misfortune, etc. Akakaa msiba wa mama yake<\/em>, he observed the usual mourning for his mother. Prov. Hakuna msiba usio na mwenziwe<\/em>, misfortune never comes alone (FJ). Lakini msiba hauna ishara<\/em>; But misfortune has no warning (M&K-MU1).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
mswano<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[adj.]<\/span><\/td>\nGood (invariable; origin apparently Hehe; slang? Not in common use; may be a regionalism (West Lake)). Not in FJ. Na kumbato lao lali ni mswano; And its embrace was good (M&K-MU2).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
murua<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[adj.]<\/span><\/td>\nExcellent, outstanding, perfect (TJH). Nice, pleasing, beautiful, elegant (FJ). Tutalipatia murua\u00a0afia;<\/em> We will furnish perfect health for it (M&K-MU8).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
mwongo\/wa-<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 1\/2]<\/span><\/td>\nLiar, impostor, inventor of falsehoods, deceiver, perverter of the truth (FJ). Wengine mashujaa walo waongo<\/em>; Others with false bravado (Other brave ones who are imposters) (M&K-MU7).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
nakawa<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[adj.]<\/span><\/td>\nClear, good-looking, in sound condition, of fine quality\u2014of persons and things (FJ). Na ardhi yenye rutuba nakawa<\/em>; And a land with the finest fertility (M&K-MU13).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
nduli<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 9\/10]<\/span><\/td>\nBeast (see TUKI for ‘beast’: katili<\/em>) (TJH). Savage person, a killer, murderous, blood-shedding; 2. the angel of death, Izraili.<\/em> (Perh. from ua (ula),<\/em> kill) (FJ). Mtoa roho; adui asiye na huruma; dhalimu, katili. 2. malaika wa mauti; Izraili. Toboa litumbo la nduli kafiri;<\/em>\u00a0Puncture open the odious stomach of the accursed beast (M&K-MU11).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
nenepesha<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. cs.]<\/span><\/td>\nFatten, make fat; see \u2013nene<\/em> fat, in good shape, healthy (TJH). Make stout (FJ). Tutaoza tulinenepeshe zimwi<\/em>, We will rot to fatten the monster (M&K-MU8).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
nono<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 14; adj.]<\/span><\/td>\nDeep sleep; deep and undisturbed (sleep), soundly (as in sleep) (TJH). See lala unono<\/em> sleep well (FJ). Tuliulala usingizi\u00a0nono<\/em>; We slept a deep sleep (M&K-MU2).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
nyotea<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. appl.]<\/span><\/td>\nRain upon (TJH). Not in FJ\/K&K. See nyotanyota<\/em> drizzle, used of drizzling rain, and nyonyota<\/em> drizzle (FJ). Kwamba leo utawanyotea ufu;<\/em>\u00a0That today death would rain down upon them (M&K-MU4).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
okoka<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. st.]<\/span><\/td>\nBe saved (TJH). See \u2013okoa s<\/em>ave, rescue, deliver, preserve (FJ). Na kwokoka kumezwa na zimwi baa;<\/em>\u00a0And be saved from being swallowed by the monster (M&K-MU3).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
onja<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. tr.]<\/span><\/td>\nTaste, take a taste of; (2) try, test, examine (FJ). Mzee kidogo, maisha ‘meonja<\/em>; Somewhat old, he had already tasted life (M&K-MU8).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
onjesha<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. cs.]<\/span><\/td>\nGive someone something to taste, make taste (TJH). In FJ, but no gloss given. See\u00a0-onja<\/em> taste (FJ).\u00a0Pengine hukuonjesha nyingi dhiki<\/em>;\u00a0Sometimes it makes you taste much agony (M&K-MU-1)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
otea<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. prep.]<\/span><\/td>\nDream about (FJ). Usiku huo twali tumesinzia, Na ndoto kwa wingi tukijiotea;<\/em> That night we were carelessly asleep, And dreams in abundance dreaming of ourselves (M&K-MU2).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
parura<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. tr.]<\/span><\/td>\nAbrade, cut, lacerate (TJH). Scrape, scratch (FJ). Chochote kinachoweza kuparura<\/em>; Whatever would be able to scratch (at him) (M&K-MU10).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
pindukia (~ (-a) kup.)<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[adj.]<\/span><\/td>\nTotal, complete, absolute (TJH). Ni jambo la kijinga kupindukia<\/em>; It is something completely stupid (M&K-MU8).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
pomo<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[adv.]<\/span><\/td>\nFull to the brim, over-full (TJH). Kabisa (Kahigi). See pomoni<\/em>: mpaka juu; tele (KKS); chock-full, crowded, full to overflowing (FJ). Tulikuwa humo tumejaa pomo<\/em>; We were inside there, we filled it up completely (M&K-MU3).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ponza<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. cs.]<\/span><\/td>\nCaused to be crushed, etc. but esp. 2. put in danger, risk, speculate with, make a venture, do by hazard, be reckless (FJ). Tazama, jama, janga limetuponza;<\/em> Look, folks, a calamity has put us in danger (M&K-MU8).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
rajua\/ma-<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 5\/6]<\/span><\/td>\nHope (FJ). Ndipo akatutazama kwa\u00a0rajua<\/em>; And then he looked at us with hope (M&K-MU8).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
shime<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[intrj.]<\/span><\/td>\nCome on now, let\u2019s take action, let’s get going (TJH). Used as a call or appeal urging on to further effort (FJ). Shime wananchi tutafute njia<\/em>; Come on now, countrymen, let us look for a way (M&K-MU8).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
sinzia<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. i.]<\/span><\/td>\nDoze, be drowsy; (2) be inattentive, absent-minded, make a foolish mistake; (3) of a lamp or fire, flicker. This word is used to describe thieves who steal while one of their number distracts the attention of the victim, wevi sinzia<\/em> (FJ). Usiku huo twali tumesinzia<\/em>; That night we were carelessly asleep (M&K-MU2).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
tamba<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\nv. i.]<\/span><\/td>\nStrut proudly, walk in a swaggering, conceited way, leap, dance, e.g., of warriors returning in triumph from victory (FJ). Rajua machoni mwao ilitamba<\/em>; Hope leaped forth in their eyes (M&K-MU9).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
tanafusi<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. i]<\/span><\/td>\nBreathe, draw breath, recover breath (FJ). Also see nafasi<\/em>: breathe, draw breath, recover breath (FJ). Tukatanafusi, vyema tukapumuwa<\/em>; We recovered our breath, we breathed well (M&K-MU14).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
tapatapa<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. redup.]<\/span><\/td>\nThrash about, struggle, move convulsively (TJH). Shiver, tremble, shudder, jump about convulsively, because of cold, fear, also as a man does struggling in the water in danger of being drowned (FJ). Ulipokithiri tukatapatapa<\/em>; When it got worse, we struggled and thrashed about (M&K-MU6).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
tata\/ma-<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 5\/6; adj.]<\/span><\/td>\nSomething entangled, puzzle, mystery (TJH). Tangle, entanglement, mess, difficulty, perplexity; see \u2013tata<\/em> tangle, complicate, confuse (FJ). Masaibu haya njia zake tata<\/em>; Such misfortunes, their ways are a mystery\u00a0(M&K-MU2).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
timua<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. tr.]<\/span><\/td>\nMake something go off quickly (TJH). Fanya kitu k.v. mtu au mnyama kiende kwa ghafla; kurupusha (KKS). Not in FJ, but see \u2013timka<\/em> trot, run, amble\u2014of the running movement of an animal (FJ). Lilizitimua mbio kifarasi<\/em>; It took off speedily like a horse (M&K-MU12).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
timua mbio<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. phrase]<\/span><\/td>\nSend off in a great hurry, rush away, rush off, take off, bolt off (TJH). Lilizitimua mbio kifarasi<\/em>; It took off speedily like a horse (M&K-MU12).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
tiririka<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. i.]<\/span><\/td>\nFlow, move as a current, gush out (TJH). Glide, trickle, slide along, e.g. of the movement of a snake, of water, etc. (FJ). Enda kwa mfululizo k.v. maji katika mfereji au mto (KKS). Damu humo ikatiririka sana<\/em>; Its blood inside was gushing out (M&K-MU11).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
toboa<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. tr.]<\/span><\/td>\nPerforate, puncture, bore through (TJH). Bore a hole (in), make a hole (or passage), force a way (through) (FJ). Toboa litumbo la nduli kafiri<\/em>; Puncture open the odious stomach of the accursed beast (M&K-MU11).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
uchefuzi<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 14]<\/span><\/td>\nNausea, foulness, pollution, corruption, defilement, contamination; see chefuka <\/em>and chefuzi<\/em> (TJH). See kichafuzi<\/em> pollutant (TUKI). Ndipo mara uchefuzi ukazidi<\/em>; It was then all of a sudden the foulness became excessive (M&K-MU5).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ufu<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 14]<\/span><\/td>\nState of being dead, death, deadness, numbness (FJ). Kwamba leo utawanyotea ufu<\/em>; That today death would rain down upon them (M&K-MU4).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
uganga<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 14]<\/span><\/td>\nCharm, spell, magic (TJH). Art (profession, fee) of a native doctor, doctoring, healing, surgical and medical aid\u2014including use of charms, &c.; (2) medicine, charm, e.g. pika (fanya, weka) uganga, concoct (make, place in position) native medicine. Also ee topoa mtu uganga<\/em> release a man from the power of a charm (FJ). Tulale fofofo kwa wake uganga<\/em>; So we would be dead\u00a0asleep from his spell (M&K-MU2).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
uki<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 14]<\/span><\/td>\nHoney; see nyuki<\/em> bee (FJ). Nchi ilojaa uki na maziwa<\/em>; A land that is filled with honey and milk (M&K-MU13).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
yongayonga<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. redup.]<\/span><\/td>\nTotter and stumble, wobble along, move clumsily (TJH). See \u2013yonga<\/em> sway, bow or bend down, stagger under a weight or from feebleness (FJ). Tukayongayonga na pia kwanguka<\/em>; We tottered and stumbled about and even fell (M&K-MU5).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
zimwi<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 5\/6]<\/span><\/td>\nEvil one, fiend, monster, creature (in the modern sense of something frightful) (TJH). Spirit, fairy, demon, goblin, ogre, ghost (FJ). Au ni zimwi lali limetuloga<\/em>; Or had the evil one bewitched us (M&K-MU2).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
zongazonga<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. redup.]<\/span><\/td>\nCreep up on and attack; nyemelea<\/em> (Kahigi). See -zonga<\/em>: Wind, bend about, coil round; 2. fig. puzzle, confuse (FJ). Zunguka agh. kwa mambo mengi kumzunguka mtu mpaka yakakaribia kumshinda (KKS). When the feral cat sees chicks, Hujia daima kuwazongazonga<\/em>; It always comes to creep up and attack them (M&K-MU16).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By K.K. Kahigi Msiba Uliotuangukia The Disaster That Has Befallen Us 1. Kwa kweli tulikuwa hatulijui Truly we had\u00a0not know about it Tulikuwa hatujaliona zimwi, We had not yet seen the creature Tulisikia tu likisimuliwa We only heard stories being told about it Kwenye ngano wazee walizoganuwa. In the stories which the old men told. … Continue reading Msiba Uliotuangukia<\/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-407","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/407","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=407"}],"version-history":[{"count":21,"href":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/407\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":844,"href":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/407\/revisions\/844"}],"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=407"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}