Mshairikasti The Poetcast : Recent Episodes
Mohammed AlGhassani
Yalipowashika, magonjwa na njaa, na umasikini
Mukahangaika, kwa zenu fadhaa, kusaka auni
Mukatawanyika, kukimbia baa, kwenda ugenini
Mukamiminika, mote kasambaa, kote mabarani
Nako kapokewa
Mukaauniwa
Mwengine mukawa, kwa yenu khiyana, munamukoloni
Taaluma yake ni Rasilimaliwatu, lakini fani yake ni ushairi. Jina lake ni Ali Mohammed, mshairi kutoka visiwani Zanzibar.
We agreed to have an election and not the war
We agreed to have open and fair campaign
We agreed to listen to the voice from the ballot box
But for your treachery
All that we agreed
You easily tore them up
Then you started your perfidy
Your banditry
And full of hooliganism!
Sakina Taki, a poet from Nairobi, has found her peace in Zanzibar and for that she chose to launch her poetry collection, My Little Yellow Book, on the island. She speaks about healing, redemption, and redefining space, existence and essence.
ThePoetcast
Mshairikasti
MyLittleYellowBook
Ni nadra siku mbili kupita bila kukutana na shairi lake mtandaoni. Ni kama kwamba analielezea kila jambo maishani kwa njia ya ushairi. Anaamini ushairi ni rahisi, ni halisi na ni mwepesi. Jina lake ni Mfaume Khamis, na lakabu yake ni Mshairi Machinga.
Mara nyingi, Waswahili hurejelea misamiati inayohusu mambo ya baharini kwenye fasihi yao. Kuna misemo na methali kadhaa zinazowagusanisha Waswahili na bahari, na sababu ni kuwa wao ni watu wa pwani. Msikilize Ali Othman Hamad kwenye Mshairikasti.
Many a time, Swahili people engage in sea affairs when talking about issues in their literature, because they are people of the seas. So say Ali Othman Hamad, an experienced sailor from Zanzibar.
Nina furaha ya kumualika kwenye MSHAIRIKASTI mshairi kijana na mwenye kipaji wa Kiswahili kutoka Tanzania, Bashiru Abdallah, ambaye amechapisha diwani yake ya pili iitwayo Wino wa Dhahabu.
I am very glad to invite to THE POETCAST the young talented Swahili poet from Tanzania, Bashiru Abdallah, who has recently published his second book, Wino wa Dhahabu (The Golden Ink).
About six years ago, I had an opportunity to meet with Adi Keissar, an Israeli poet with Yemeni heritage, in Bayreuth - a city in southern Germany, where we were both invited to attend a cultural festival under the theme CULTURAL FUSION. Therefore, this interview is older than the THE POETCAST but, nevertheless, very informative on the significance of culture to building the brigdes in divided societies.
Si jipya nilinenalo, lilishanenwa dahari
Mote linanenwa lilo, na miye nalikariri
Jambo nikushaurilo, hupaswi kulighairi
Subiri akhi subiri
Kwamba kila lianzalo, ndilo pia liishalo
Crying for you, o dear Pen, for not sticking to my fingers
Why don't you stay there for me to write down -
All that I wanted to, before I depart this world?
Crying for you, o dear Time!
Kalamu oo kalamu, mbona hukai vyandani?
Mbona hukai ‘kadumu, kuyaandika bukuni
Yote niliyoazimu, sijauka duniani
Wakati oo wakati!
Shairi: Mohammed Ghassani
Muziki: Ally Fadhil Juma
Diwani: Mfalme Ana Pembe (Uk. 70-71)
Muendao Nyali, mahabuba wetu, kumtembelea
Mwambieni hali, maishani mwetu, alotuwachia
Ngumu kwelikweli, hatuwezi kattu, kuja izowea
Bali twashukuru
Hatumkufuru
Ilahi Ghafuru, aliyemuita, akamwitikia!
Yaleli kipenzi, fuadini mwangu, ulojifungia
Ukajihifadhi, jua na mawingu, yangakunyeshea
Japo umeridhi, wito wake Mungu, kuuitikia -
Mbona mtimani
Ungalimo ndani?
Hukunifundisha, kukufungulia, nikuache wende?
Yes, it’s true that you were old, but you were not weak
As for us, the old age means not inactiveness
But rather much wiser, much stronger and more powerful
You were built with stones and soil and woods
To present the epitome of pride and of greatness
Barghash made you stand high
So as to be our focus and our pure character
And on the shores of the Indian Ocean –
The tropical sun had you blessed!
You wanto pay me back everything we shared
So you could have way out of this bond
Well, then this is the list:
Gimme back my heart, my love, my time, my sufferings and my pain.
Tarehe naikumbuka, ni sita wa ishirini
Kamwe haitaondoka, itasalia moyoni
Ulikuwa wa mashaka, usiku wake yakini
Watu wangu wadhikika, kwa kushushiwa balaa
Tangu Konde ya Msuka, na Kangagani Kojani
Nako Tumbe kadhalika, hadi Nungwi na Kinuni
Na Ngwachani walifika, na Garagara Mtoni
Mote humo ‘meumuka, kwa huzuni zilojaa
Kangagani weondoka, watu wengi masikini
Nyumbanikwe alitoka, Asha Haji wa Hasani
Risasi ikamshika, peupeni uwanjani
Wanawe wayayatika, sita alotuwachia
Abdallah wa Hamadi, kwao Tumbe Mbuyuni
Walimtwanga kusudi, risasi nne tumboni
Mbichi ‘kamuhusudi, aruba wa thalathini
Himkumbuka huzidi, machozi kutandawaa
Hamadi wa Shehe Ali, alikuwa pirikani
Kwao Konde sio mbali, kweupe si machakani
Wempiga mara mbili, risasi za kifuani
Kaacha wake wawili, na mayatima walia
Kombo Hamadi Salimu, miakaye thalathini
Ekuwa kaskatimu, nyumbanikwe barazani
Mara ikaja kaumu, huko kwao Kangagani
Wakazimimina njumu, rohoye wakaitwaa
Chudi Salimu Fadhili, yatima huyu yakini
Kinda bichi na mkweli, kumi na sita sinini
Risasi ya asikari, ikampenya mbavuni
Wingwi Mafya yedhihiri, bado ‘mepigwa butwaa
Mjukuu wa Mjaka, Mohamedi Khalfani
Wawi kwake kamfika, majeshi ya Saimoni
Kijana bado awaka, thineni wa ishirini
Risasi kampachika, kama wapigavyo paa
Kijana Omari Juma, Mwembe Makumbi nyumbani
Amekaa kasimama, hana kitu mkononi
Junudi wakalituma, risau lisimkhini
Hadi Siku ya Kiama, itawaka yake taa
Bayusufu wa Shaame, babuye ni Muhidini
Na wenziwe wanaume, walikuwa barazani
Kamvamia mandeme, kwao jimbo la Kojani
Hicho kipigo ‘siseme, akaihama dunia
Kuna Saidi Makame, wa Garagara Mtoni
Miaka kumi na nane, mtoto wa masikini
Alipigwa nyundo nane, na marungu thalathini
Walitaka asipone, na Mungu akamtwaa
Naye Musa Haji Musa, wa Nungwi kasikazini
Miaka kumi na tisa, ndiyo kwanza ashaini
Risasi ikamfisa, Kivunge akenda chini
Nduguze wajipangusa, machozi ‘mewazidia
Ali Saidi wa Kombo, kwetu Wingwi Kinazini
Risasi moja ya shingo, ikamkata kooni
Kama vile Chumu Kombo, yeye kwao Micheweni
Hayatakwisha kitambo, machungu yalotujaa
Abubakari Khamisi, aliwania Pandani
Wakamrushia risasi, mule mwake maguuni
Ikavunjika nafusi, kwa kinyongo cha moyoni
Mwisho Ilahi Mkwasi, kamwita akamtwaa
Kuna kijana Saidi, alikuwa Saateni
Kosale kutaradadi, na wake mkokoteni
Bure wakamuhusudi, kwa risasi ya kichwani
Na kisha kwa zao kyedi, uongo kasingizia
Ameri Bin Ameri, Bwejuu alwatani
Wemtwaa kwa kikiri, kenda naye mafichoni
Huko wakamuadhiri, adhara ziso kifani
Mwisho naye kahajiri, Zenji nzima yalia
Na wengi waloumizwa, kwa mwingi uhayawani
Machafu waliyotenzwa, ya nuni na Firauni
Hakika yanaumiza, yachoma mwetu nyoyoni
Na bado yaendelezwa, kuwahujumu raia
Rabbi Wewe ni Hakimu, ya haki yako mizani
Waujuwa udhalimu, ulotendwa visiwani
Nasi ndio madhulumu, twaja kwako Ya Manani
Pitisha yako hukumu, uonayo inafaa
Bonn
2 Disemba 2020
Tuna vitabu moyoni, mengi tuliyoandika
Mengi siri za sirini, funiko 'mezifunika
Na japo mwetu ndimini, hatuwezi yatamka
Hata mwetu akilini, hatutaki yakumbuka
Lakini kuyaepuka, hilo haliwezekani!
Humu mwetu vifuani, kurasa zajiandika
Nyingi zisizo kifani, hakuna zinachoruka
Zayaweka hifadhini, siku, saa na dakika
Kuna siku ya Manani, kurasa zitafunuka
Zifike kwa kukufika, mambo yawe hadharani!
Tuna hati ulimini, herufi zilopangika
Qafu na Lamu na Nuni, na Hamza kadhalika
Tuna Swadi, tuna Shini, na shadda ya kupachika
Na irabu za sukuni, twajuwa pa kuziweka
Kwa leo twayavumbika, tumejilisha Yamini!
Winoni humu winoni, muna maneno yafoka
Yanataja kwa mizani, kila kitu kilotuka
Hata kiduchu yakini, wino kinakikumbuka
Kitawekwa andikoni, thumma hakitakauka
Ipite myaka na kaka, sikuye iko njiani!
Twenenda nazo kichwani, simulizi za hakika
Hakika si ya kubuni, mambo yaliyotufika
Kuvamiwa viamboni, na mitwana mijikaka
Watumwa wa Firauni, kwa maguvu kutushika
Leo hatutatamka, lakini pindi mwakani!
Bonn
05 Novemba 2020
Injustice has a shape, so visible to be known
It has a big head and a wide chest
It has got a big mouth and big fat eyes
But it lacks brain nor does it have manners
Ina umbile dhuluma, wazi la kufahamika
Ina jichwa lilotuna, jifuwa lilotanuka
Ina domo kubwa sana, na mijicho ‘mekodoka
Ila ubongo haina, wala haina khulika
Tutandikeni matanga, tukusanyane wafiwa
Tuwalilie wahanga, roho changa zilotwawa
Walokatwa kwa mapanga, na risasi za vifuwa
Wa Nungwi na Kangangani, wa Tumbe na Madaniwa
Walofatwa majumbani, vichwa vikafumuliwa
Walotupwa majiani, hali washanyofolewa
Tulilie mashahidi, ndugu walodhulumiwa
Dhuluma iloshitadi, ilovitanda visiwa
Itendwayo makusudi, lengo la kutukomowa
Tukaye tuomboleze, makiwa haya makiwa
Machozi tumiminize, kwa waliokashifiwa
Tuliye tusinyamaze, tuliye kwa kutambuwa -
Kwa kutambuwa ambacho, chatugeuza wafiwa
Wapendwa kitupokacho, na mwetu kunajisiwa -
Ni hichi tuaminicho, cha uhuru wa visiwa
Kwa kutambuwa hatuna, wa kutuhani wakiwa
Si Wazungu, si Wachina, wala si Bara Asia
Basi atosha Rabbana, Atosha kutegemewa
Bonn
30 Oktoba 2020
Let seasons pass to change our destinies
Today a hot summer that makes us sweat
Tomorrow we are shivering as winter comes
For whatever it is, there is a day of judgement!
Ni yeye mwenye wenyewe, na yeye aliye nao
Ndiye wamtambuaye, mwenye lao kusudio
Ndiye wamuaminiye, naye awaaminio
Kwa nyakati hizi, za mwisho wa siku, tungo naiandika
Moyoni simanzi, punde ni usiku, giza litazuka
Uje uduwanzi, niwe zumbukuku, nishindwe kumbuka
Nguvu zinihizi, nifungwe vikuku, na kuporomoka
Kurasa zishafungika!
At this moment of the end of the day, this poem I compose
My heart is so lonely as the night will soon come, so will the darkness
Tiredness will come and demented I will be, who nothing remembers
My strength will be taken away and will be handcuffed and down I will fall
Because my pages have been closed!
Mohammed Al Ghassani
Music: Ally Fadhil Juma
Mbona wesema husemi, na hivi umo wasema, kipi kikusemacho?
Ulisema husimami, kwako ni mbele daima, kipi kikurejeshacho?
Wesema husemi nami, tena kwa kunamba koma, leo kipi kikupacho?
Soundtrack: Ally F. Juma
Lau twaweza tumai, mwisho wa matumaini
Watu wanaporufai, sisi tukawa makini
Tuonwapo hatufai, sisi tukajiamini
Katika dunia hii, daima hatuwi duni
This world is but too small to hide your secret
Look for somewhere else if you have so people wont know it
Its as good as nothing even to try it
All will be shown to you if you deny your past
The world of network!
Originally a Swahili poem "Dunia ni Ndogo" by Mohammed Al Ghassani. Soundtrack composed by Ally Fadhil Juma.
A line between love and hate is but so thin
Not even a yard if measured with thread
The one whom you yesterday desired -
For whom you sang all songs
Today, they are just rubbish
And good for nothing
When my mother gave birth to me
She thought I was human
She brought me up
She taught me how to behave
As a human being and not an animal
But then came a monster and took me
Huku giza lajikita, nafusi yangu wewe inuka
Inuka uje nakwita, nafusi yangu basi itika
Sikwitii kukuteta, nafusi yangu ´sijeshituka!
As darkness takes control of the day
You should stand up, O the self of mine
Stand up and heed to my call
I call not for bursting to you
O the self of mine
Don't be alarmed!
Pahala papweke, makaburini, pakimya panasinzima
Ulitima wake, huja moyoni, 'katuwa ukatuwama
Tafakuri yake, huja machoni, machozi ikamimina
So lonely is the graveyard, so quite, so cold
Its loneliness fills the heart and therein it dwells
Its thoughtfulness fillls the eyes and tears it sheds
Soundtrack: Ally Fadhil Juma
Zama walizoinuka, watu wakanishutumu
Kwa maneno ya dhihaka, ya qafu, nuni na lamu
Ni wewe ulonishika, bila ya kunifahamu
Begani ukauweka
Moyo ulionyongeka
Maneno ulotamka, `tayakumbuka dawamu!
At the times when people were accusing me
With such sarcastic words, so bitter, so sharp
You came to my rescue without knowing me
You gave your shoulder to a broken heart
And those words you whispered -
I will always remember!
Soundtrack: Ally Fadhil Juma
Ikiwa wataka, ewe Mahububa, kweli jambo hili
Miye sina shaka, na sina ujuba, lau wakubali
Kunipa hakika, yangu matilaba, huwezi yadhili
Zote taziteka, uzitwaye huba, kwa yako kadiri!
If you really want this, o My Dearest
I am of no doubt, nor do I have any arrogance, if you accept -
To assure me my desires won´t be hurt
You`ll definitely take all my love as much you can!
Soundtrack: Ally Fadhil Juma
Juzi nilipokuota, nilikuwa ni njiani
Nawe ukawa wanita, ila miye sikuoni
Ukawa wanifuata, unishike mkononi
Ila mara hayeyuka, mithili moshi angani
When you came into my dream a day before yesterday
You were calling my name but I wasn’t seeing you
You were coming to take me in your beautiful arms
But I suddenly vanished like smoke in the air
When You Come Into My Dreams (originally Swahili poem “Ninapokuota”) by Mohammed Al Ghassani.
Soundtrack: Ally Fadhil Juma
Siku walowakataa, 'kasema hawawataki
Wekuwa hawepumbaa, wala wenye taharuki
Walikuwa wamepoa, akili na mantiki
Wala hawabadiliki, nyiye washawakataa
When they refused you
And said they don't want you
They were not out of their mind
Nor were they frustrated
So calm they were
Both in sense and in logic
And that shall never change
Because they've abandoned you!
They've Just Refused You (original Wamewakataa) by poet Mohammed Al Ghassani.
Soundtrack by Ally Fadhil Juma
Mwili mzito, kichwa chini, na hisabu kali
Moyoni fukuto, kesho akilini, `takuwaje hali?
Iyo siku ipito, ela niifanyeni? Nami dhalili!
Mimi ni mtenzwa, natenzeka na maisha!
So heavy is my body
So down is my head
So high my calculation
My heart is pressurised
How my tomorrow will be
As the day is gone
But what should I do
So weak I am
I am subjected
And doomed by life!
The Subjected (original Mtenzwa) by poet Mohammed Al Ghassani.
Soundtrack by WeVideo.
Zama mauti yakija
Yaje ningali ni mtu, sijageuka nguruwe
Sijakuwa nyamamwitu, azaaye na wanawe
Zije bado nina utu, hiondoka nililiwe
Hishima tuwe pamoja!
When death comes
Let it come when I am still a human being
Not changed into a pig
Haven't become a wild animal
Which gets its own kids impregnanted
Let it come when I still value humanity
So people will cry for my leaving
And am still respected!
When Death Comes (Original Zama Mauti Yakija) by Mohammed al Ghassani. Soundtrack by Ally Fadhil Juma.
Katikati ya kutaka, na kilele cha mapenzi
Pale mahaba yawaka, na kung'ara kama mwezi
Ndipo 'liponigeuka, na kunitupa mpenzi
Jambo hilo hauwezi, moyo kutolikumbuka
At the middle of my desire and the climax of my love
When my love was as bright as a clear moonlight
It was a time she betrayed and let me down
Such was an incident my heart will never forget
My Heart Can No Longer Take It (Original Swahili poem "Moyo Wangu Hauwezi") by Mohammed al Ghassani. Soundtrack by Ally Fadhil Juma.
Kwa jinalo wewe, tungo naiandika, na kuikariri
Hitaka ujuwa, ndiwe mtukuka, ndiwe wangu huri
Sina mwenginewe, wala hatazuka, wa kumkubali
Watani ni wewe, u wangu hakika, Mama Zinjibari!
In thy name, this epic I write and qoute
Wishing you know, to me you are sacred and beautiful
I have no one besides you, and none other will I accept
You are my land, you are definitely mine, Mother Zanzibar!
In Thy Name (Original Swahili poem Kwa Jinalo Wewe) by Mohammed Al Ghassani. Soundtrack by Ally Fadhil Juma.
Kila siku wauliza: nakupendaje? Wataka ujuwe namna
Leo nitakueleza, zote nizitaje, moja moja nitazinena
Nakupenda kimarefu, kiundani, kimapana
Hata kama hupo, roho yangu hukuona
Hadi khatima ya kuwa, na ukomo wa kufana
Na kila leo ikingia, hukupenda kuliko jana!
Constantly you ask: how do I love you?
Piece by piece, I will today explain everything
I love you in length, and in depth, and in width
Even when you're not here, my soul sees you
To the climax of being and to the last breath of my life
And every single day, I love you than yesterday
The Way I Love You (Original Swahili poem Nakupendaje) by Mohammed Al Ghassani. Soundtrack by Ally Fadhil Juma.
Umenijia fukara dhalili, ushakongoka, wataka nikusikize
Mararu dhoofulhali, maguuni waporomoka, nikunyamaze
'Mekuja kutoka mbali, kuja lalamika, ati nikuliwaze
Haya! Wima tafadhali, sasa tamka, kila kitu nieleze -
Kwa uradhi wa rohoyo, sema nikufanyeje?
Broken and weakened, that's how you've come
Demanding me to listen to you
On my feet you bow, wanting me to console you
You've come from afar, begging me to comfort you
Ok! Now stand up and tell me each and everything -
To your satisfaction, what should I do?Tell Me What To Do (Original Swahili poem Nambiya Nikufanyeje) by Mohammed al Ghassani. Soundtrack by Ally Fadhil Juma.
Wewe u nani?
Ndiye mfumo dhuluma utengenezaye
Ndiye fisadi ubaguzi uabuduye
Ndiye fasiki kesi ubambikizaye
Mara uhujumu, mara uchochezi
Mara ugaidi, mara ujambazi
Ndiye watu utekao
Mafichoni ukenda nao
Watokao bahati yao
Wengi sio warudio
Ni Wewe ndiye kabari
Ndiye rungu na buti
Ndiye risasi na pingu
Na ndiye mizani
Nami sipati pumzi!
Who are you then?
You are a system that creates injustices
The corrupted one who worships racism
The devil who gives others false charges
With sabotage and sedition
With terrorism and bulgary
You are the one who kidnaps people
Torturing them in safe houses
The few lucky ones escape
But many never come back
You are the chocking
The stick and the boot
The bullet and the handcuffs
And you are a measuring scale too
AND I CAN'T BREATHE
Ikiwa kunitukana, kutakupa utulivu, nafusini
Roho itatulizana, yapunguwe maumivu, ya moyoni
Nimwagie hima hima, maneno yote mabovu, yakuauni!
If by insulting me, you are getting relief in your heart
If your mind is calming down and heartches are gone
Then pour unto me all your dirty words, so you are released!
Just Insult Me (Swahili poem Nitukane) by Mohammed Al Ghassani.
Soundtrack by Ally Fadhil Juma
Ni mtumwa msikwao, nami kattu huyo siye
Miye siye kwenye hao, n´na kwetu khaswa miye
N´nako kwa mazalio, kwa makuzi na mavaye
Jina kwetwa Zanzibar!
A slave is the one who does not have a home of his own, and that I am surely not
I am not among them, as I do exactly have a home of my own
I have a place where I was born, raised and where I will be buried
The name is Zanzibar!
N`na Kwetu (I Have My Own Home) a poem by Mohammed Al Ghassani.
Soundtrack by Ally Fadhil Juma.
When the road is bumpy and the sea is rough and the day is dark, all you have to do is not to blame yourself, but ask God to empower you with the will to carry the burden without going astray.
For All That Be (Original Swahili Kwa Yote Ambayo) by Mohammed Al Ghassani with Soundtrack by Ally Fadhil Juma.
Maji yamekupwa, fukwe tonge tonge, zimerowana
Mapande ya mafupa, sasa juu kweupeni, twayaona
Ya watu walotupwa, mkondoni, chombo chao kilipozama
Mifupa mipevu mizito, ya wanaume na kinamama
Mifupa michanga ya kitoto, ya vijana na wasichana
Umma ulipoghariki
Kwenye Bahari ya Kati
Wakikimbia hilaki
Na mateso Afrika
Mauaji Arabuni
Na mauti ya Asia
Wengine watarazaki, dhana raha za Ulaya!