{"id":442,"date":"2015-07-25T13:35:55","date_gmt":"2015-07-25T20:35:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/?page_id=442"},"modified":"2026-05-27T10:48:56","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T17:48:56","slug":"amina","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/?page_id=442","title":{"rendered":"Amina"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\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. Amina umejitenga, kufa umetangulia,<\/span><\/td>\nAmina, you have cut yourself off, you have gone ahead (of me) in death,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kama ua umefunga, baada ya kuchanua,<\/span><\/td>\nLike a flower (that) has closed, after blooming,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nakuombea mwanga, Peponi kukubaliwa,<\/span><\/td>\nI pray for a light for you, (that you) be received in Heaven,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mapenzi tuliyofunga, hapana wa kufungua.<\/span><\/td>\nLove that we have tied together, there is no one to untie it.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2. Nilitaka unyanyuke, kwa kukuombea dua,<\/span><\/td>\nI wanted you to rise up, by offering up a prayer for you,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sikupenda ushindike, maradhi kukuchukua,<\/span><\/td>\nI did not want you to be laid low, for sickness to carry you off,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ila kwa rehema yake, Mungu amekuchagua,<\/span><\/td>\nBut through his grace, God has chosen you,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mapenzi tuliyofunga, hapana wa kufungua.<\/span><\/td>\nLove that we have tied together, there is no one to untie it.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3. Majonzi hayaneneki, kila nikikumbukia,<\/span><\/td>\nMy\u00a0grief is unspeakable, every time I think (of you),<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nawaza kile na hiki, naona kama ruia,<\/span><\/td>\nI think of that and this, I see it like a dream,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mauti siyasadiki, kuwa mwisho wa dunia,<\/span><\/td>\nI do not believe in death, that it is the end of the world,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mapenzi tuliyofunga, hapana wa kufungua.<\/span><\/td>\nLove that we have tied together, there is no one to untie it.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4. Nasaidiki haziozi, roho hazitapotea,<\/span><\/td>\nI believe that they do not rot, the souls will not be lost,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Twafuata wokozi, kwa mauti kutujia,<\/span><\/td>\nWe seek salvation, from death coming to us,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nawe wangu mpenzi, Peponi utaingia,<\/span><\/td>\nAnd even you my love, you will enter Heaven,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mapenzi tuliyofunga, hapana wa kufungua.<\/span><\/td>\nLove that we have tied together, there is no one to untie it.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5. Jambo moja nakumbuka, sahihi ninalijua,<\/span><\/td>\nI remember one thing, for certain I know it,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kuwa sasa umefika, ta’bu isikosumbua,<\/span><\/td>\nThat now you have arrived, where trouble does not affect you,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kwayo nimefurahika, nyuma nilikobakia,<\/span><\/td>\nI rejoice in that, back here where I remained,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mapenzi tuliyofunga, hapana wa kufungua.<\/span><\/td>\nLove that we have tied together, there is no one to untie it.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6. Ninamaliza kutunga, kwa kukuombea dua,<\/span><\/td>\nI am finishing composing, by offering up a prayer for you,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vumbi tena likiunga, roho likirudishiwa,<\/span><\/td>\nAnd as the dust (of the body) comes together again, as it is being infused with spirit,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mauti yakijitenga, mapenzi yatarejea,<\/span><\/td>\nAs death sets itself aside, love will return,<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mapenzi tuliyofunga, hapana wa kufungua.<\/span><\/td>\nLove that we have tied together, there is no one to untie it.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
Summary<\/h5>\n

Shaaban wrote this in memory of his wife Amina. \u00a0While death cuts us off from those whom we love, the separation\u00a0is not permanent. Love cannot be extinguished. \u00a0As a Muslim he believes in an after-life and\u00a0the ultimate resurrection of the reunited body and soul and so the eventual reunion with those whom we love.<\/p>\n

Two other translations are given here for comparative purposes. \u00a0One by C. Ndulute (1994) and the other by A. Jahadhmy (1975). See below after the Glossary.<\/p>\n

Glossary<\/h5>\n

chanua<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 [v. cv.]\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Open (flowers, their petals), grow, open its buds (plant), bloom (Brill). Put out leaves (of plants generally) (FJ). Amina umejitenga, kufa umetangulia, Kama ua umefunga, baada ya kuchanua<\/strong><\/em>; Amina, you have cut yourself off, you have gone ahead (of me) in death, Like a flower (that) has closed, after blooming (SR-A1).<\/span><\/p>\n

furahika<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 [v. st.]\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Be full of joy, be in a happy way, be delighted (TJH). Kwayo nimefurahika<\/strong>, nyuma nilikobakia<\/em>, I rejoice in that, back here where I remained (SR-A5).<\/span><\/p>\n

majonzi<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 [n. 6]\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sorrow, grief, mourning, sadness (FJ). Majonzi<\/em><\/strong> hayaneneki, kila nikikumbukia<\/em>, The grief is unspeakable, every time I think (of you) (SR-A3).<\/span><\/p>\n

neneka<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 [v. st. & pot.]\u00a0\u00a0 Be spoken, be mentioned; (2) be utterable, be such as can be expressed in words, be fit for mention (FJ). Majonzi hayaneneki<\/strong>, kila nikikumbukia<\/em>, The grief is unspeakable, every time I think (of you) (SR-A3).<\/span><\/p>\n

nyanyuka<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 [v. St. & Pot.]\u00a0 Be prominent, rise above the rest, stick up, stick out (FJ). Nilitaka unyanyuke<\/strong>, kwa kukuombea dua<\/em>, I wanted you to rise up, by offering up a prayer for you (SR-A2).<\/span><\/p>\n

ruia<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 [n. 9\/10]\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Vision, sight, dream; idea, concept (Brill). See ruiya<\/em> & ruya<\/em> ndoto; njozi (KKS). Nawaza kile na hiki, naona kama ruia<\/strong><\/em>, I think of that and this, I see it like a dream (SR-A3).<\/span><\/p>\n

sahihi<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 [adv.]\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 For certain, for sure (TJH). See \u2013sahihi<\/em> v. correct, put right… and sahihi<\/em> adj. right, valid… (FJ). Jambo moja nakumbuka, sahihi<\/strong> ninalijua<\/em>, I remember one thing, for certain I know it (SR-A5).<\/span><\/p>\n

shindika<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 [v. St. & Pot.]\u00a0 Be pressed down, be held down, be brought low, be laid low (TJH). Be overcome, conquered… (FJ). Sikupenda ushindike<\/strong>, maradhi kukuchukua<\/em>, I did not want you to be laid low, for sickness to carry you off (SR-A2).<\/span><\/p>\n

tangulia<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 [v. appl.]\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Arrive early, precede, walk in front, go first, eat first; pioneer, lead, accompany; direct, show the way; be quicker than (FJ). Amina umejitenga, kufa umetangulia<\/strong>, Kama ua umefunga, baada ya kuchanua<\/em>; Amina, you have cut yourself off, you have gone ahead (of me) in death, Like a flower (that) has closed, after blooming (SR-A1).<\/span><\/p>\n

tenga<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 [v. tr.]\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Isolate, cut off from, seclude, set aside (TJH). Separate, keep away, remove, exile, excommunicate (FJ). Weka kando (KKS). See \u2013jitenga<\/em> seclude oneself (CWR). Amina umejitenga<\/strong>, kufa umetangulia, Kama ua umefunga, baada ya kuchanua<\/em>; Amina, you have cut yourself off (from us), you have gone ahead (of us) in death, Like a flower (that) has closed, after blooming (SR-A1).<\/span><\/p>\n

wokozi<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 [n. 14]\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Salvation, deliverance (TJH). See \u2013okoa<\/em> save, rescue, deliver, preserve; -okoza<\/em> exert oneself to save, rescue (FJ). Twafuata wokozi<\/strong>, kwa mauti kutujia<\/em>, We seek salvation, from death coming to us (SR-A4).<\/span><\/p>\n

Ndulute”s Translation<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Amina, You’ve distanced yourself<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Death has taken you first<\/p>\n

    You are like a flower that closes after opening out<\/p>\n

    May light be with you and Heaven receive you,<\/p>\n

    The love-knot we made, none will untie.<\/p>\n

    2. I prayed that you might rise again,<\/p>\n

    I did not want you to succumb to illness<\/p>\n

    But by His grace, The Lord chose you;<\/p>\n

    The love-knot we made, none will untie.<\/p>\n

    3. The grief is unspeakable whenever I remember you<\/p>\n

    I think of this and of that, all is like a dream<\/p>\n

    I am unconvinced that death is the end of the world;<\/p>\n

    The love-knot we made, none will untie.<\/p>\n

    4. I believe souls will neither decay nor be lost<\/p>\n

    We follow salvation when death snatches us<\/p>\n

    And you, my love, will surely enter Paradise;<\/p>\n

    The love-knot we made, none will untie.<\/p>\n

    5. One thing I remember, of this I am certain<\/p>\n

    You have now arrived where trouble dare not tread<\/p>\n

    This heartens me where I remain;<\/p>\n

    The love-knot we made, none will untie.<\/p>\n

    6. \u00a0As I lay my pen down, I pray for you<\/p>\n

    When dust remoulds you and your soul is restored<\/p>\n

    When Death stands apart, love must return;<\/p>\n

    The love-knot we made, none will untie.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Jahadhmy’s Translation:<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Amina, the choice has fallen on you to go<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Like a rose-bud you\u2019ve shut, after you had blossomed,<\/p>\n

      I pray for you a light leading you to heaven.<\/p>\n

      The love that binds us together, none other can unbind.<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. I longed for your return to health, to this end I prayed<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        I wish you had not lost, succumbing to the ailment,<\/p>\n

        God\u2019s own dictum that it shall be, the choice has been yours to go.<\/p>\n

        The love that binds us together, none other can unbind.<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. My grief is past description, whenever I dwell on you<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          This and that memory come back, it\u2019s now but a dream,<\/p>\n

          I believe not that death betokens the end of life.<\/p>\n

          The love that binds us together, none other can unbind.<\/p>\n

            \n
          1. Unperishable, I believe, is the soul, forever it will live,<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            Death is a salvation, come when it comes,<\/p>\n

            My beloved precious, in Heaven thou shall dwell.<\/p>\n

            The love that binds us together, none other can unbind.<\/p>\n

              \n
            1. One thing for certain I know and remember,<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              You now dwell, where distress will touch you not again,<\/p>\n

              That is recompense for me left now behind.<\/p>\n

              The love that binds us together, none other can unbind.<\/p>\n

              6. The poem concludes with a prayer to you,<\/p>\n

              When dust and dust reunite and the soul returneth,<\/p>\n

              And death is no mpre, love shall be reborn,<\/p>\n

              The love that binds us together, none other can unbind.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

              1. Amina umejitenga, kufa umetangulia, Amina, you have cut yourself off, you have gone ahead (of me) in death, Kama ua umefunga, baada ya kuchanua, Like a flower (that) has closed, after blooming, Nakuombea mwanga, Peponi kukubaliwa, I pray for a light for you, (that you) be received in Heaven, Mapenzi tuliyofunga, hapana wa kufungua. … Continue reading Amina<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":432,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-442","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/442","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=442"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/442\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":899,"href":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/442\/revisions\/899"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/432"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=442"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}