Anthology of Somali Poetry - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0253304628 ISBN 13: 9780253304629

Publisher: Indiana University Press, 1993

Synopsis

When Sir Richard Burton visited Somalia in 1854, he was immediately impressed by the inhabitants' love of poetry. He reported: "The country teems with poets ...the fine ear of this people causes them to take the greatest in harmonious sounds and poetical expressions, where a false quantity or a prosaic phrase excite their violent indignation." The love of poetry among Somalis has continued to this day, the majority of it still in an oral tradition. This sample presents the best of that poetry from the late 19th Century to the present. The poets presented are: Raage Ugaas, Xirsi Garaad Faarax 'Wiilwaal', Cali Bucu Axmed-Guray Maxamed Cabdille, Faarax Cad, Qawdhan Ducaale, Cali Jaamac Haabiil, Maxamed Cabdille Xasan, Xuseen Maxamuud Faarax, 'Xuseen Dhigle', Ismaaciil Mire, Saahid Qamaam, Qamaan Bulxan, Nuur Ugaas Rooble, Cilmi Bowndheeri, Faarzx Shuuriye, Cumar Xuseen 'Ostreeliya', Muuse Xaaji Ismaaciil Galaal, Maxamed Good 'Shimbir', Cali Sugulle, Xasan Sheekh Muumin, Axmed Ismaaciil Diiriye 'Qaasim', and Maxamed Ibraahiim 'Hadraawi'. There are appendixes covering the oral and written medium, the pronunciation of Somali words, alliteration and scansion, selected bibliography, and sources.

About this title

Review:

'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.

About the Author:

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.

About this edition

• Publisher: Indiana University Press
• Publication date: 1993
• ISBN 10: 0253304628
• ISBN 13: 9780253304629
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 128