{"id":97,"date":"2014-08-03T12:28:47","date_gmt":"2014-08-03T19:28:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/?page_id=97"},"modified":"2026-05-27T10:48:55","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T17:48:55","slug":"ngome-ni-ngome","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/?page_id=97","title":{"rendered":"Ngome ni Ngome"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is one of several poems composed by Muyaka about Fort Jesus, pictured in the banner above and on this site’s home page. \u00a0For Muyaka and other inhabitants of Mombasa the fort was a symbol of Mazrui resistence to Omani attempts to take control of the coast. \u00a0For a detailed treatment of this period of East African history, I refer you to \u00a0XXXXX.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"DSCN2679-Fort<\/a><\/p>\n

Plaque at the entrance portal to Fort Jesus<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Ngome ni ngome ya mawe na fusi la kufusiza<\/span><\/td>\nThe Fort is a fortress of stone with a foundation of hard packed rubble.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ngome ni ya matumbawe, na boriti kuikiza<\/span><\/td>\nThe (ceilings of the) Fort are of coral rock with mangrove beams set in place (for rafters)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ngome wetwapo sikawe, enda hima na kufuza<\/span><\/td>\nWhen you are called to the Fort do not delay, go quickly and do so immediately<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ngome imetuumiza, naswi tu mumo ngomeni.<\/span><\/td>\nThe Fort has harmed us, (but) we as well are now inside the fort itself.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Translation above by TJH. \u00a0The Hichens text (1940) has matumbawe<\/em> not matumbwe<\/em> as in MHA. For those interested in comparing my translation with those by Abdulaziz and Knappert I have included them below. \u00a0It is instructive to see the differences.<\/p>\n

\u00a0MHA Translation (1979:143-145)<\/h5>\n

The Fort is a fort of stone that is reinforced with coral sand<\/p>\n

The Fort has ceilings well-laid with boriti<\/em> beams and light coral stone.<\/p>\n

The Fort! When you are called there, do not tarry, but hurry and go there quickly!<\/p>\n

The Fort has certainly done us a lot of harm, but we are still to be found in it.<\/p>\n

Knappert translation (1979:162)<\/h5>\n

The Fort is a fortress of stones and lime to mason them together.<\/p>\n

The Fort is made of coral rock and of beams to make the roof.<\/p>\n

When you are called to the Fort, do not delay, go quickly and go through.<\/p>\n

The Fort has hurt us, but we too are inside the Fort.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Glossary<\/h5>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
boriti<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 9\/10]<\/span><\/td>\nThick poles of the mangrove used to support concrete ceilings and roofs of certain kinds of houses; hence a beam, large piece of timber or steel, a girder, etc. (? Port. Barrote<\/em>, beam, joist.) (FJ). Ngome ni ya matumbawe, na boriti<\/strong> kuikiza<\/em>, The (ceilings of the) Fort are of coral rock with mangrove beams set in place (for rafters) (MY-Ngome).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
fusa<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. tr.]<\/span><\/td>\nBeat, make soft by gentle beating, e.g. <\/span>atakufusa hata ulainike<\/em>, he will beat you until you are tender, e.g. until you have no strength left; (2) attack. <\/span>Ugonjwa ulimfusa<\/strong><\/em>, sickness attacked him (FJ). See\u00a0<\/span>fusi\/ma-<\/i><\/span>\u00a05\/6 ‘rubble’.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
fusi\/ma- <\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 5\/6]<\/span><\/td>\nRubble used to fill a excavation for a foundation, building materials used in making a foundation (TJH). Coral sand (MHA). A fine black sand (Krapf). The mud of the walls, etc. of a house which has been demolished, also kifusi<\/em> (FJ). D\u00e9combres, d\u00e9molitions, pl\u00e2tras, d\u00e9blais [rubble],\u00a0 \u2014 Syn. TD. kifusi<\/em> (Sx). See \u2013fusa, -fusia, -fusiza, -fusizi.\u00a0 Ngome ni ngome ya mawe na fusi<\/strong> la kufusiza<\/em>, The Fort is a fortress of stone with a foundation of hard-packed rubble (MY-Ngome). See also:\u00a0Ukwasi ungapo na tafakhari, || wakanakiliwa ili safari, || washukie nyumba za makaburi || fusi<\/strong> na fusizi liwafusie, <\/em>But now all that wealth of magnificence vast Hath vanished quite away, for the Summons forth hath passed; Down, down to the Tomb, that bourne long and last, Down, midst the rubble and the dust sped the bier (Inkishafi \u2013 Taylor 44).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
fusia<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. appl.]<\/span><\/td>\nConstruct a foundation of stone and rubble (TJH). Lay down a bed of small stones and rubbish for a concrete floor or roof, or fill in foundations (FJ). Lay a foundation (Krapf). See SX: 1. (Am. = DS. –fukia<\/em>), enfouir. 2. (TDO. \u2014G.) Combler avez des pierres grossi\u00e8res le fond, soit d\u2019une fondation -fusia msinji,<\/em> soit d\u2019une terrasse \u00a0-fusia sakafu. <\/em>[fill a depth\u2014a deep hole–with heavy stones so it becomes a foundation]. See –fusizi<\/em> (Sx). See –fukia<\/em> fill in (a hole, grave, etc.), dig in, cover in, –fukia kaburi<\/em> fill up a grave (FJ). See –fusiza<\/em> v. intns of \u2013fusia.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
fusiza<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. intns.]<\/span><\/td>\nBeat, pound, pack firmly especially building materials (TJH). Not in FJ. Not in Sx, but see \u2013fusa<\/em>, –fusia<\/em>, fusizi<\/em> (TJH definition based on Sx definition of fusizi q.v. Ngome ni ngome ya mawe na fusi la kufusiza<\/strong><\/em>, The Fort is a fortress of stone with a foundation of hard-packed rubble (MY-Ngome).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
fusizi\/ma-<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 5\/6]<\/span><\/td>\nHeap, mass, pile, accumulation of dirt or rocks; material used in building (TJH). Amoncellement de terres ou de d\u00e9blais. (Sx). See \u2013fusa, -fusiza. Ukwasi ungapo na tafakhari, || wakanakiliwa ili safari, || washukie nyumba za makaburi || fusi na fusizi<\/strong> liwafusie <\/em>But now all that wealth of magnificence vast Hath vanished quite away, for the Summons forth hath passed; Down, down to the Tomb, that bourne long and last, Down, midst the rubble and the dust sped the bier (INK \u2013 Taylor 44)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
fuza<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. i.]<\/span><\/td>\nDo in haste, do in a hurry, quickly, immediately (TJH). Go on, not to stop; see –fuuza<\/em> go straight forward (Krapf). Not in FJ, but see \u2011fulisha<\/em> ~ \u2013fuliza<\/em>: ….Inten, keep on at, hammer at, cause to hammer or keep on, continue doing\u2014in a general sense, quicken, hasten (FJ).\u00a0 See Sx: fuza<\/em> ~ fuuza<\/em> ~ fuliza njia moja kwa moja<\/em>, suivre le chemin tout droit, suivre le m\u00eame chemin sans prendre aucune voie lat\u00e9rale (Sx). Ngome wetwapo sikawe, enda hima na kufuza<\/strong><\/em>, When you are called to the Fort do not delay, go quickly and do so immediately (MY-Ngome)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ikiza<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. cs.]<\/span><\/td>\nLay across, set in position (from side to side), spread over. Ikiza nyumba boriti<\/em> place in position the beams in a house to carry a concrete roof, etc\u2026. (FJ). Ngome ni ya matumbawe, na boriti kuikiza<\/strong><\/em>, The (ceilings of the) Fort are of coral rock with mangrove beams set in place (for rafters) (MY-Ngome).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
itwa<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. ps.]<\/span><\/td>\nBe called. Ngome wetwapo<\/strong> sikawe, enda hima na kufuza<\/em>, When you are called to the Fort do not delay, go quickly and do so immediately (MY-Ngome)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
kawa<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. i]<\/span><\/td>\nBe delayed, tarry, linger, delay, loiter, take a long time, be behind time, be late (FJ). See -kawia<\/em> (FJ). Ngome wetwapo sikawe<\/strong>, enda hima na kufuza<\/em>, When you are called to the Fort do not delay, go quickly and do so immediately (MY-Ngome)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
mumo<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[dem.]<\/span><\/td>\nThere inside, inside there (TJH). Ngome imetuumiza, naswi tu mumo<\/strong> ngomeni<\/em>, The Fort has harmed us, (but) we as well are now inside the fort itself (MY-Ngome).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
naswi<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[pro. contr.]<\/span><\/td>\nAnd we, with us, we also, we as well, etc.; contraction of na + swiswi (q.v.) (TJH). Ngome imetuumiza, naswi<\/strong> tu mumo ngomeni<\/em>, The Fort has harmed us, (but) we as well are now inside the fort itself. (MY-Ngome)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ngome<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 9\/10]<\/span><\/td>\nFort, fortress, citadel (TJH). Ngome ni ngome<\/strong> ya mawe na fusi la kufusiza<\/em>, The Fort is a fortress of stone with a foundation of hard-packed rubble. (MY-Ngome). See fusi.<\/em><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
swiswi<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[pro.]<\/span><\/td>\nWe, us (TJH). Not in FJ. See Sx: Mv. = St. sisi<\/em>.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
tu<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[pro.\/cop.]<\/span><\/td>\nWe, us. 1st<\/sup> plural subject or object prefix.\u00a0 Often functions as a 1st<\/sup> plural copula.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Ngome imetu<\/strong>umiza, naswi tu<\/strong> mumo ngomeni<\/em>, The Fort has harmed us, (but) we as well are now inside the fort itself (MY-Ngome).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
tumbawe\/ma-<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 5\/6]<\/span><\/td>\nLight weight coral rock used with mangrove poles or beams in constructing ceilings (TJH). Coral rock in the intermediate stage between coral and rock\u2014white and massive, but light and not fully consolidated.\u00a0 Used largely (from its lightness) for concrete roofs, also for cornices, being easily cut to shape, and for lime burning (FJ). See more extensive entry for tumbawe\/ma-<\/em> in Sx. \u00a0Ngome ni ya matumbawe<\/strong>, na boriti kuikiza<\/em>, The Fort\u2019s (ceilings) are of coral rock with mangrove beams set in place (for rafters) (MY-Ngome).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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

This is one of several poems composed by Muyaka about Fort Jesus, pictured in the banner above and on this site’s home page. \u00a0For Muyaka and other inhabitants of Mombasa the fort was a symbol of Mazrui resistence to Omani attempts to take control of the coast. \u00a0For a detailed treatment of this period of … Continue reading Ngome ni Ngome<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":85,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-97","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/97","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=97"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/97\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":774,"href":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/97\/revisions\/774"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/85"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=97"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}