Anthology of Somali Poetry

B. W. ANDRZEJEWSKI is Emeritus Professor of Cushitic Languages and Literatures in the University of London, where he was a faculty member of the School of Oriental and African Studies from 1952 to 1982. SHEILA ANDRZEJEWSKI (née Weekes) accompanied her husband on most of his research travels and shares his interest in the literary culture of Somalia.

'This is a fascinating and unusual collection that deserves attention.O NBloomsbury Review O ... this anthology of poetry is a breath of fresh air. It provides the reader with the means of gaining a deeper insight into Somali life through what is to the Somalis their most important cultural form, namely, poetry.O NBulletin of the School of Irental & African Studies OThis affordable and beautifully produced book is a small jewel in the field of Somali studies, as it is the fruit of over forty years of dedicated linguistic and literary scholarship by one of the most thorough and accurate translators and analysts of Somali poetry, B. W. Andrzejewski.O NInternational Journal of African Historical Studies Somalia has been called Oa nation of poets.O This volume makes available in beautiful English translation the very best, and most universal, of Somali poetry, from the 19th century to the present. With appendixes covering the oral and written medium, the pronunciation of Somali words, alliteration and scansion, selected bibliography, and sources.

• IntroductionThe PoemsRaage Ugaas1 To the Camels2 A Broken Betrothal3 A Horse Beyond Compare4 Riposte to a Young Opponent in a Poetic Duel5 Old AgeXirsi Garaad Faarax 'Wiilwaal'6 A Young Sultan Speaks to His PeopleCali Bucul7 Guulside, the Victory BearerAadan-Gurey Maxamed Cabdille8 Seventy and Ten YearsFaarax Afcad9 Camel Rustling—1Qawdhan Ducaale10 Camel Rustling—2Cali Jaamac Haabiil11 The Death of a FriendMaxamed Cabdille Xasan12 A Fine War Horse13 A Land of Drought14 Treason15 A Terrible Journey16 Folly17 Perhaps the Trumpet Has Sounded18 A Prayer for MaryamXuseen Maxamuud Faarax known as 'Xuseen Dhiqle'19 The Lion's ShareIsmaaciil Mire20 Change of Command21 A Hoopoe Rebuked22 Listen, O Truck23 Fleeting Joys24 What Will Come Next?Saahid Qamaan25 EqualityQamaan Bulxan26 The Stolen Wife27 In Praise of Barni SheekhNuur Ugaas Rooble28 DissimulationCilmi Bowndheri29 A Vain Love30 A Vision31 The MessengerFaarax Shuuriye32 A Chief is Thanked for the Gift of a HorseCumar Xuseen 'Ostreeliya'33 Where True Profit Lies34 In Praise of WerisMuuse Xaaji Ismaaciil Galaal35 The SerpentAxmed Maxamed Good 'Shimbir'36 A Lover's FearsCali Sugulle37 A Happy MarriageXasan Sheekh Muumin38 The Betrayed GirlAxmed Ismaaciil Diiriye 'Qaasim'39 Bitter and SweetMaxamed Ibraahim 'Hadraawi'40 At the Grave of Cilmi Bowndheri41 BeledweynAppendicesI. The Oral and the Written MediumII. Pronunciation of Somali WordsIII. Alliteration and ScansionIV. Selected BibliographyV. Sources