{"id":421,"date":"2015-07-23T15:00:46","date_gmt":"2015-07-23T22:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/?page_id=421"},"modified":"2026-05-27T10:48:37","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T17:48:37","slug":"zimwi-halijafa","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/?page_id=421","title":{"rendered":"Zimwi Halijafa!"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Kulikoyela 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
Zimwi Halijafa!<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nThe Creature is not yet dead!<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1. Wan’odhani kuwa limekufa,<\/span><\/td>\nThose who think it is dead,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Jihadhari, zimwi halijafa!<\/span><\/td>\nBeware, the creature is not yet dead,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2. Tusipokuwa macho hakika,<\/span><\/td>\nIf we are not truly watchful<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Na usingizi ukatushika,<\/span><\/td>\nAnd sleep takes hold of us<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
‘Likokimbilia litazuka,<\/span><\/td>\nIt will suddenly appear from where it fled<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Na hali itatikisikika,<\/span><\/td>\nAnd the situation will be chaotic<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3. Na maisha tena yatanywea,<\/span><\/td>\nAnd life once more will drain away<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Parafujo zake kulegea,<\/span><\/td>\nIts screws (that bind it) having loosened<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4. Tena utumwa utatuzonga,<\/span><\/td>\nAgain slavery will coil round us<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Matesoni tutayongayonga<\/span><\/td>\nWe will totter and sway in suffering<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5. Woto wa kijani utaoza,<\/span><\/td>\nGreen vegetation will rot<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Maisha yenyewe yatap’oza,<\/span><\/td>\nLife itself will atrophy\/be useless, etc.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6. Rutuba ya ardhi hakika,<\/span><\/td>\nThe fertitlity of the land indeed<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bila shaka itakwajukika,<\/span><\/td>\nSurely it will be unpleasant to see<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
7. Lalia la mgambo lalia,<\/span><\/td>\nIt calls, the clarion call rings out<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Shimeni wananchi sikia,<\/span><\/td>\nLet\u2019s take action, countrymen, hear,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
8. Tujikage hila za zimwi,<\/span><\/td>\nLet us protect ourselves with charms from the treachery of the monster<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pasi kujua lisije zimwi,<\/span><\/td>\nSo it does not come without us knowing<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
9. Tusivimbiwe uhuru wetu<\/span><\/td>\nLet’s not be satiated with our freedom (typo in Swahili text corrected)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tukauuza umoja wetu,<\/span><\/td>\nAnd so sell our unity<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10. Umoja uliotuwezesha,<\/span><\/td>\nUnity that empowered us<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zimwi hilo kulikurupusha,<\/span><\/td>\nTo chase off that creature<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
11. Usitulevye uhuru wetu<\/span><\/td>\nLet not our freedom drug us<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tukauza wangalifu wetu<\/span><\/td>\nThat we sell our vigilance<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Usitulevye uhuru wetu<\/span><\/td>\nLet not our freedom drug us<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tukauza uzalendo wetu!<\/span><\/td>\nAnd sell our patriotism<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
12. Usidhani zimwi limekufa,<\/span><\/td>\nDon’t think the creature is dead,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Angalia zimwi halijafa!<\/span><\/td>\nWatch out the creature has not yet died!<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
13. Zimwi linayo macho mekundu,<\/span><\/td>\nThe creature has red eyes,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kucha zake mfano wa mundu,<\/span><\/td>\nIts claws are like a sickle<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
14. Meno yake mfano wa tembo<\/span><\/td>\nHis teeth are like those of an elephant<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ila makali yasiyo kombo,<\/span><\/td>\nBut sharp without defect<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
15. Zimwi mate mate kama fisi,<\/span><\/td>\nThe creature (slobbering) saliva like a hyena,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hutamani litulaze sisi,<\/span><\/td>\nIt lusts to bring us down<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
16. Lenye tamaa ya Lusiferi,<\/span><\/td>\nWith Lucifer’s lust<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lenye vitimbi vya kijabari<\/span><\/td>\nFull of violent schemes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
17. Naam, Zimwi lile dubwana,<\/span><\/td>\nYes, that creature is a huge brute,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mashetani nalo hupatana,<\/span><\/td>\nIt also consorts with devils<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
18. Kaa macho, Zimwi halijafa:<\/span><\/td>\nStay awake, the Creature is not yet dead;<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Litakuja bila taarifa!<\/span><\/td>\nIt will come without notice!<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Glossary<\/strong><\/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
dubwana\/ma-<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 5\/6]<\/span><\/td>\nBrute, fiend, large, ugly beast (TJH). Person of extraordinary size, a giant, a colossus (FJ). Naam, Zimwi lile dubwana<\/strong><\/em>, Yes, that creature is a huge brute (K&M-ZH17).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
kijabari\/ma- (-a kijabari)<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[adj.]<\/span><\/td>\nViolent (TJH). See jabari\/ma- 5\/6 <\/em>brave, fearless, proud person; a violent person (FJ).\u00a0Lenye tamaa ya Lusiferi, Lenye vitimbi vya kijabari<\/strong><\/em>; With Lucifer’s lust, Full of violent schemes (K&M-ZH16).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
kaga<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. tr.]<\/span><\/td>\nProtect by charm, put a charm on (in, near, etc.) (FJ). Vaa au zindika hirizi au dawa ili iwe ni kinga ya madhara, balaa au uharibifu (KKS). Tujikage<\/em><\/strong> hila za zimwi<\/em>, Let us protect ourselves from the treachery of the monster (K&M-ZH8).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
kitimbi\/vi-<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 7\/8]<\/span><\/td>\nDeceit, duplicity, guile, scheme, ploy (TJH). Mischievous act, trick, artifice, strategem, an act which causes hurt, damage, bad luck (FJ). Lenye tamaa ya Lusiferi, Lenye vitimbi<\/strong> vya kijabari<\/em>; With Lucifer’s lust, Full of violent schemes (K&M-ZH16).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
kombo\/ma-<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 5\/6]<\/span><\/td>\nTwist, turn, crook, crookedness, deviation from the straight or standard, defect, fault, ill temper, awkwardness, difficulty, sticking-point (FJ). Meno yake mfano wa tembo, Ila makali yasiyo kombo<\/strong><\/em>; His teeth are like those of an elephant, But sharp without defect (K&M-ZH14).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
kurupusha<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. cs.]<\/span><\/td>\nChase off, scare off (Kahigi). Startle, rouse (FJ). Zimwi hilo kulikurupusha<\/strong><\/em>, To chase off that creature (K&M-ZH10).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
kwajukika<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. st.]<\/span><\/td>\nBe unpleasant to see, be shriveled, etc. (TJH). See\u00a0-kwajuka<\/em> Lose color, beauty, shrivel, shrink, become spoiled, be no longer pleasant to the eyes (FJ). Haribika sura (Kahigi). Rutuba ya ardhi hakika, Bila shaka itakwajukika<\/strong><\/em>, The fertitlity of the land indeed, Surely it will be unpleasant to see (K&M-ZH6).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
laza<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. cs.]<\/span><\/td>\nBring one down, place in a prone position (TJH). Cause to lie down, put to bed, lay flat or horizontal; see \u2013lala<\/em> sleep (FJ). Hutamani litulaze<\/strong> sisi<\/em>, It lusts to bring us down (K&M-ZH15).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
levya<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. tr.]<\/span><\/td>\nDrug sb. (TJH). Make drunk, intoxicate, cause to reel, make stagger, make giddy; see \u2013lewa<\/em> be drunk (FJ). Usitulevye<\/em><\/strong> uhuru wetu<\/em>, Let not our freedom drug us (K&M-ZH11).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
mgambo\/mi-<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 3\/4]<\/span><\/td>\nClarion call, demand for action (TJH). Public proclamation. Mbiu ya mgambo,<\/em> formerly a buffalo horn blown to all people together to hear a proclamation of announcement. (FJ) Mkutano agh. unaozungumzia mambo ya busara au ya wazee: Mbiu ya mgambo ikilia ina jambo<\/em> (mt). 2. hutumika katika msemo: Kumbi la mgambo<\/em> pahali ambapo pamekusanywa watoto zaidi ya arubaini walioingia jando. 3. hutumika katika msemo: Askari wa mgambo<\/em> askari wa akiba ambaye amepata mafunzo ya kijeshi kwa ajili ya ulinzi wa taifa lakini ambaye hafanyi kazi jeshini (KKS). clarion call (baragumu ya mgambo) Class 5 augmentative (KK) Lalia la mgambo<\/strong> lalia<\/em>, It calls, the clarion call rings out (K&M-ZH7).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
mundu\/mi-<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 3\/4]<\/span><\/td>\nSickle, billhook, chopper (FJ). Kucha zake mfano wa mundu<\/strong><\/em>, Its claws are like a sickle (K&M-ZH13).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
nywea<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. appl.]<\/span><\/td>\nDrain away (TJH). Shrink, shrivel, recoil, or curl up, e.g. as of a dog when frightened, or a leaf when dry; see \u2013nywa<\/em> and -nya<\/em> (FJ). Na maisha tena yatanywea<\/strong><\/em>, And life once more will drain away (K&M-ZH3).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
parafujo<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 9\/10]<\/span><\/td>\nScrew (FJ). Parafujo<\/em><\/strong> zake kulegea<\/em>, Its screws (that bind it) having loosened (K&M-ZH3).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
patana<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. rp.]<\/span><\/td>\nHave alliance with, be in league with, consort with, go along with (TJH). Get each other\u2014commonly used as ‘come to terms, strike a bargain, agree, be reconciled, work harmoniously, harmonize, correspond’; see \u2013pata<\/em> get, etc. (FJ). Mashetani nalo hupatana<\/strong><\/em>, It also consorts with devils (K&M-ZH17).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
pooza<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. i.]<\/span><\/td>\nWaste away, wither, atrophy, decline (TJH). Become useless, withered, paralysed, impotent. Mwenye kupooza<\/em>, a cripple, an impotent man; (2) be spoiled, lose beauty, appearance, fail, etc. (FJ). Maisha yenyewe yatap’oza<\/strong><\/em>, Life itself will atrophy (K&M-ZH5).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
tamaa<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 9\/10]<\/span><\/td>\nCoveted object, longing, desire, lust, ambition, avarice, cupidity, greediness Lenye tamaa<\/strong> ya Lusiferi, Lenye vitimbi vya kijabari<\/em>; With Lucifer’s lust, Full of violent schemes (K&M-ZH16).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
tikisikika<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. st.]<\/span><\/td>\nBe chaotic, be disordered, be confused (TJH). See -tikisa<\/em> cause to shake, wave, move to and fro; (2) make restless, agitate, excite (FJ). Na hali itatikisikika<\/strong><\/em>, And the situation will be chaotic (K&M-ZH2).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
uzalendo<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 14]<\/span><\/td>\nPatriotism (TJH). Usitulevye uhuru wetu,<\/em> Tukauza uzalendo<\/strong> wetu<\/em>; Let not our freedom drug us, And sell our patriotism (K&M-ZH11).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
vimbiwa<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. ps. appl.]<\/span><\/td>\nBe satiated, be overfull, be full, be sated; be complacent (TJH). \u00a0 See \u2013vimba <\/em>swell, expand, be distended (puffed out, swollen, bloated, stuffed; also -vimbiwa<\/em> e.g., nimekula hata nimevimbiwa<\/em>, I have eaten so much that I am stuffed (FJ). Tusivimbiwe<\/em><\/strong> uhuru wetu<\/em>, Let’s not be complacent with our freedom (K&M-ZH9).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
wangalifu<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 14]<\/span><\/td>\nDiligence, vigilance, watchfulness (TJH). See\u00a0uangalifu<\/em>\u00a0carefulness, attention (FJ).\u00a0Usitulevye uhuru wetu,\u00a0Tukauza wangalifu<\/strong> wetu<\/em>;\u00a0Let not our freedom drug us,\u00a0That we sell our vigilance (K&M-ZH11).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
wezesha<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. cs.]<\/span><\/td>\nEnable (TJH). Empower, give authority to (FJ). Umoja uliotuwezesha<\/strong><\/em>, Unity that empowered us (K&M-ZH10).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
woto<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 11\/10]<\/span><\/td>\nVegetation, See \u2013ota<\/em> grow, sprout, spring up\u2014usually of vegetable life, etc. (FJ). Woto<\/em><\/strong> wa kijani utaoza<\/em>, Green vegetation will rot (K&M-ZH5).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Kulikoyela K. Kahigi Zimwi Halijafa! The Creature is not yet dead! 1. Wan’odhani kuwa limekufa, Those who think it is dead, Jihadhari, zimwi halijafa! Beware, the creature is not yet dead, 2. Tusipokuwa macho hakika, If we are not truly watchful Na usingizi ukatushika, And sleep takes hold of us ‘Likokimbilia litazuka, It will … Continue reading Zimwi Halijafa!<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":416,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-421","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/421","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=421"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/421\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":877,"href":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/421\/revisions\/877"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/416"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=421"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}