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Nin Doorkii Ilmadeeradey
Diric Maxaa Hoy’day:.
Curiye Axmed Aw Yuusuf Ducaale
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AN ACROSTIC FOR AFWAYNE
All he seized as he deified himself Lord of All
Forgive Rizaq and Rashid Afwayne made them sweeter than fresh camel's milk!
Wickedness in high places was his wacky way
Abba is what all Somalis were forced to call him
You gotta kidding Farah Gololay guffawed!
Nothing but death and disaster are his legacy--just as he had promised!
Edicts diktats scripts from Afwayne's grave are what Somalis still live by now!
------Mohamud Siad Togane
Poet Ahmed Ismael Deereye (Qasim):
Xsuus: Abwaan Axmed Ismaciil Diiriye (Qaasim) oo dhintey 11/08/2006
Remember Poet Ahmed Ismael Deereye (Qasim) Died 11/08/2006
Waxaydiin nala wadaagii tixdii Marxuum Qasim,
Cinwaankeeduna
ahaa Macaan iyo qadhaadh taas oo ay Af Ingiriisi iyo Af Fransiis u turjumeen Abwaan Mr: M.S.Togane iyo Xaaskiisa.
Waxa kale oo ay nala wadaagi qoraalkale oo Togane uu mowduucan kaga hadlayo. Tix baroor diiqa oo uu Axmed Yuusuf Ducaale ku sagootiyey marxuumka ayeynu ku soogootiyey ayeynu kusoo gababeyneynaa Xuskan isaga ah .
Please share with us this the famous Poem,' Sweat and Bitter', The Somali original,
it is translation into English and French By Mr and Mrs. A commentry By Mr. Togane and a Somali poem By Mr. A.Y.Dualeh
created on the occasion of the of boet's death.
Thank's to Mr and Mrs Togane for their memmorable contribution
Somalilandhorta THE POET�S DEATH IS HIS LIFE
ACCORDING TO QUONDAM PRIME MINISTER, ABDIRASHID ALI SHARMARKE,
WE SOMALIS HAVE TWO ACES IN THE
HOLE:
OUR FAITH IN ISLAM AND
OUR LYRICAL POESY.
SO IT IS WITH GREAT SADNESS THIS MORNING THAT I SHARE WITH YOU THE SAD NEWS OF THE DEATH OF ABWAAN
AHMED ISMAIL DIIRIYE, BETTER KNOWN TO THE WORLD AS �QAASIM�, WHO DISTINGUISHED HIMSELF AND MADE US
ALL PROUD IN HIS COMPOSITIONS OF UNFORGETTABLE LYRICAL POESY IN OUR OWN MOTHER TONGUE.
RABINDRANATH TAGORE, THE GREAT INDIAN NOBLE LAUREATE SAID,
�GOD RESPECTS ME WHEN I WORK, BUT HE LOVES
ME WHEN I SING. �
by this OTHER SON OF WALT
BY this OTHER DARK-CHEEKED SOMALI BUSH-BOY:
SWEETNESS & BITTERNESS
(For Goosh & Sheila Andrzejewski)
Without contraries is no progression.
�Blake
Do I contradict myself?
Very well then I contradict myself,
(I am large, I contain multitudes).
�Whitman
l
Sometimes even the aloes bear honeyed flowers
Whose nectar you slurp
I am sweetness & bitterness planted in the same place.
ll
My right hand & my left hand are twins
One entertains the guests & walks the weak
The other is a dagger dripping woes & wormwood.
lll
My boy, I am rich
I contain countless contraries
Do not take me for a poor miskiin monomaniac
Out on a limb
Hectoring for his bloody hobbyhorse.
lV
Sometimes I am faithfully obedient Well-mannered
Utterly innocent of Evil.
V
Sometimes I am the obdurate destroyer An arrant knave.
Vl
Sometimes I am the anchorite who sequesters himself in the mosque To review his life & purify his heart.
Vll
Sometimes I am the villain The loony who blusters in every saloon in Somalia
�Go to now
I�ll prove thee with mighty-mouthed Evil
Till my cup runneth over
With contumely
With crazy Asha
With crazywater."
Vlll
Sometimes I am the towering heads Of wit
Of wisdom
Of waggery
Of honor
Of forbearance
Of forgiveness.
lX
Sometimes I am the loafer The nowhere man with no name in the street.
X
Sometimes I am a man who does not allow
Anything Haraan
Anything not kosher
Go past his gullet.
Xl
Sometimes I am a thief dyed-in-the-wool Who does not spare
Even the orphan�s share.
Xll
Sometimes I am the leader of silent sages & high-ranking saints.
Xlll
Sometimes I am an honorable member of Satan�s conclave After the fiend�s very own heart.
XlV
A presumptuous jackass
Cannot size me up
For I am Fearfully
Wonderfully
Fashioned
For I run interference for chameleons
For I run schools for chameleons
For I chop & change.
XV
Day in
Day out
Daily I turn
Every morning my mien is distinctly Of different color
Of different creed v I know how to huddle & hobnob
With both Muslims & heathen honky alien monkey ofay fugly kaffirs
The angels of Hell & Heaven argue over my sinful Somali soul.
XVl
No man has traced to me
All these contraries I trail
But a man of many days
One whose head is hoary
Or
One who is hip to sizing men up
May possibly take my proper measure.
XVll
O everyman Jack
Pick
Your sweetest
Your aptest
Your most magnificent metaphor
To brand me with.
XVlll
You
Over there
My hobbledehoy
Hop on the hobbyhorse
Your heart hobbles after
Or the one you can�t help but Harass me with
Tease me with
Taunt me with
Tear me with
Tar me with
Feather me with.
XlX
Speak
Right on
Ride on
For I make means for you.
XX
Please
prowl & Pounce
Pronounce & proclaim
Publish & brandish
Your finger-licking
Your finger-pointing
Your finger-stone-throwing Your finger-frigging Ayatollah fanatical fatwa
Your finger-wagging fitna
Your farcical fatude.
XXl
Please
Right now
Right here
Holler the Hobson�s hooey
you are hoarding
against our majesty
in your horrible hypocrite heart
Speak right on for we make the means for you.
.....Mohamud Siad Togan
Bitter and Sweet Consider the aloe - how bitter is its taste!
Yet sometimes there wells up a sap so sweet That it seems like honey in your mouth.
Side by side the sweet and bitter run Just as they do, my friends, in me, As I switch from sweet to bitter And back to sweet again.
My two hands, right and left, are twins. One twin gives food to strangers and to guests, It sustains the weak and guides them.
But the other is a slashing, cutting knife - As sharp to the taste as myrrh, As bitter as the aloe. Do not suppose I am the kind of man Who walks along one path, and that path only. I go one way, and seem a reasonable man, I provoke no one,
I have the best of natures - I go another, and I'm obstinate and bold, Striking out at others without cause. Sometimes
I seem a learned man of God Who retreats in ascetic zeal to a seclude sanctuary -
I turn again and I'm a crazy libertine, Sneakily snatching whatever I can get. I am counted as one of the elders of the clan,
Esteemed for my wisdom, tact and skill in argument, But within me there dwells a mere townee, too - A no-good layabout he is, at that.
I'm a man whose gullet will allow no passage For food that believers are forbidden to eat,
And yet I'm a pernicious, hardened thief - The property of even the Prophet himself Would not be safe from me.
I have my place among the holy saints,
I am one of the foremost of their leaders, But at times
I hold high rank in Satan's retinue, And then my lords and masters are the jinns.
It's no good trying to weigh me up -
I can't be balanced on a pair of scales. From this day to that my very colour changes - Nay,
I'm a man whose aspect alters As morning turns to evening And back once more to morning. Muslims and infidels -
I know their minds And understand them through and through.
"He's ours!" the angels of Hell proclaim of me "No, ours!" the angels of Heaven protest.
I have, then, all these striking qualities Which no one can ignore - But who can really know my mind?
Only a grey-head who has lived for many days And learned to measure what men are worth. And now, my friends, each man of you -
If either of the paths I follow Takes your fancy and delights your heart, Or even if you cannot bear to lose The entertainment
I provide, Then come to me along the path - You're free to make a choice!
Sweetness and bitterness
Traduction : Madeleine Lefebvre
La r�ponse du po�te
� Kassim le po�te, les hommes de son clan ont demand� :
Qui es-tu?
Es-tu le so�lot qu�on ramasse dans la boue et qui fait notre honte?
Ou es-tu plut�t
Le po�te dont nous sommes fiers
Et qui brille par la richesse, l�honneur, le pouvoir et le prestige
Et fait la gloire de notre clan?
Le po�te qui soigne nos �mes
En prof�rant des mots
Qui font du bien
� notre psych� collective?
Kassim, r�ponds! Qui es-tu?
Voici la r�ponse de Kassim :
Doux Amer
Sans contraires, point de progr�s
W. Blake
Me contredis-je?
Tr�s bien, alors, je me contredis
(Je suis ample, je contiens la multitude)
W. Whitman
l
M�me aux alo�s
Il arrive de porter des fleurs
Au parfum de miel qui vous enivre
Ainsi je suis douceur et amertume
N�es d�un seul plant
ll
Ma main droite ignore
Ce que fait ma main gauche
L�une se fait accueil et compassion
Malheur et fiel ruissellent du poignard qui prolonge l�autre
lll
Mon fils je suis riche
D�innombrables contraires m�habitent
Ne me prends pas
Pour un pauvre monomaniaque
Dangereusement accroch�
A la folle id�e qu�il impose
IV
Tant�t je suis ob�issant
Fid�le et de bonnes mani�res
�tranger au mal
Tant�t je me fais
Destructeur obstin�
Fier coquin
V
Tant�t je suis l�ermite
S�questr� dans la mosqu�e
Pour passer sa vie en revue
Et purifier son coeur
Tant�t je suis le sc�l�rat
Le fou
Qui fanfaronne
Dans tous les bars de Somalie :
Allez maintenant
Je vous mets au d�fi
Avec l��loquence du diable
Jusqu�� ce que ma coupe d�borde
De honteux et fou �aasha�
Vl
Tant�t je domine
Par la sagesse, l��loquence
L�honneur et l�endurance
Tant�t je suis fain�ant
Vagabond
Sans feu ni lieu
Sans nom
A la rue
Vll
Tant�t de ce qui n�est pas koscher
Mon gosier ne laisse rien passer
Tant�t je suis voleur bon teint
A la part de l�orphelin
Je n�h�site pas � me nourrir
Vlll
Tant�t je viens en t�te
Des saints les plus haut plac�s
Tant�t je suis membre d�honneur
Du conclave de Satan
Avec lui ne faisant qu�un
lX
Quel pr�somptueux quidam
Pr�tendrait me jauger
Je tiens �cole
Pour cam�l�ons
Chaque jour je me transforme
Sous un autre jour
Chaque matin je me pr�sente
Musulman ou m�cr�ant
Je sais me mettre de pair
Tant avec l�un qu�avec l�autre
Qui du ciel qui de l�enfer
Anges et d�mons
Se disputent mon �me
X
Nul homme n�a trac� pour moi
La carte des contraires qui me d�chirent
Mais qui a v�cu
L�a�eul � t�te blanche
Ou qui est prime
A saisir les hommes
Peut peut-�tre
Prendre ma juste mesure
Xl
O quidam
Vas-y de la meilleure m�taphore
De ton choix
Pour me qualifier
Exprime l�obsession qui te hante
Ou celle avec laquelle
Tu ne peux t�emp�cher
De me taquiner
Exprime-toi
Vas-y
A ton tour
Je t�en prie
Fais ton choix
Guud ahaanba Inta af Soomaaliga ku hadaasha,
Gaar ahaan inta Sugaan Jecesha ah iyo eheladiisoo oo cidkasta kamudan ayaan ka tacsiyadeynaya geeridii ku timi Gabayaagii Axmed Ismaaciil Diiriye( Qaasin)
Alla ha u naxariistee.Tixdan oo an ku sagootiyeyo marxuunka waxaan u hibeynayaa Muxyaddiin Maxamed Xuseen oo gabayada dul-ka-qaybkooda Allah u yasiray,
anigoo ka codsanaya in uu tixdanna ku daro dul-ka-qaybkiisii gabayada .Dhawrkii gabay ee aan Wembley Central London
(Mabriskii Cali Feyr) kaga dhegeystayna wuu ku mahadsanyahay.Suubanow nabigeenu Calayhi- salaatuwassalaam, wuxuu ina farayaa qofkeena dhinta in aynu wanagiisa sheegno.Halkaasaan kadhaqaaqayaa. Intii uu carrabka marxuunku gaadhayna cafi iyo saamax ayaan u weydiinayaa.
-----------------Baroordiiq - Axmed Ina Ismaaciil (Qaasim) ---------------------------------
Ileybaxaaya weeyaan dhalini oo iftiin badane Adigoo kaloo ururiyoo uunka maqashiiya Ayey tahay in lagu aamino erayga loo dhiga e Muxyadiin1 adaan kuu gartee mari odhaahdayda Ararta gabeygaan aqoon yaa ag dhiganaya Een Ina Jadeer
iyo aflow ka amba qaadeynin Oohowduu yidhaahdaba tixdii olalka reemaysey Ee sidii ila biyo leh oonka bi�ineysey Erayadii udgoonaa sidii ubaxa kaahaayey
Ama oogti uu shidi jiriyo wuxuu afuufaayey Aragtidii ku dheehneyd wuxuu uunku jirinaayay
Dareenkii u ooyaayeyee lala ilmeynaayey Asluubteeda suugaan ninkuu Eebe ugu deeqay Asteyntii
naftiisuu khalqigu dhaaxa amankaagey Laba aan is-geyin uu ahaa siduu ku iinshaaday Toganaa2 marxuunkii akhriyoo aad
u faaqidaye Withmen3 iyo Blake4 buu ahaa yidhi asaagoode Erey-bixi garaadkii is yidhi ood ka rogi waaye Ardeyduu ka tegay beynu fili in
ay asiibaane Ilaahay kuwuu doorashada aayar ugu deeqay Abraarkey is qaadeen dadkaba magane soo eegin
"Mar uunbaa ololihii la shidi kii arbacadiiye Mar uunbaa rag iimaanka qaba la igman doonaaye"5 Waa kii ku eedaamayey magaci eedeene Ingiriiska wixii
uu u nacay eray halaagaaya Ololkeeda Maandeeq wuxuu ku istreexayay Isugeynti aafowdayee loo askeriyeeyay
Afkiisuu adeegsadey intuu aamus kariwaayey Abwaannadii is-kaashaduu ahaa
kicin abaabulaye Eray waa awood Eebe oon cidi ku aadayne Waatey Afweyne u rogeen oodda dirirtiiye Ehelkii dagaallamu
is-galuu xidhay afkiisiiye Eedaadki soomaray indhaha waa ka laliseene Adegyaduu ubaahnaa ayaan iniq
la gaadhsiine Ismadhiibinoo waad ogeyd aabi-socodkiiye Eedeysan weeyaan Almadar gabi ideylkeede aniguna ka kow baan ahoo waan ogsoonahaye
Iyagu ahaayuu aqoon ugu arooraaye Iyagay ahayd iney kacaan oy arrimiyaane Aqoonsiguu muteystaan ifkii loo abaal
-gudine Meytideed amaantaynu nahay laba ayaamoodey Dabeetana illow baa xigiyo yuu ahaa hebel e In uu gabay aqoon iyo
xigmado aano u ahaaday Imaamyadii xadiiskaa warshoo qiray odhaahdaase Adduunyadu Obliigoow6 ilhaam way qadirisaaye Oo
�arbaab-ul-xaal iyo Maqaam�7 kaa adeegsada e Alay ugu dhawadaan jaceyl ugu idlaadaane Indheergarato umadaan dhiqini
ayatiin malehe Pushkin8 Awdal laga keenaybaa ruush abwaan u ahe Ibsen9 waxa laga siyaartaa Oslo laga amaanaaye
Ingiriisna waa Shakespear10 odeygey sheegaane Italiana Daantey11 xusuus ugu aqoolaane Hoomeer12
Atiinana udaa iyo Ilyaadkiiye Ogobeey Volteer13 baa Faraans loo ab-tiriyaaye Gootana14 Almaankii unoqoy gabey unuunkiiye
Taagoor15 ayaan cidi Indiya soo ag dhiganeyne Paakistaan Iqbal16 baa u yidhi oo aqoon mudhaye Eeraanna Shiraazi17 baa gabay u aabo ahe Amiir gabay markay
Carab timaad waa Imrul-Qays e18 Shiinleydii Idaan19 markii cidi ag mari weydey Isagaa halkaa ii galiyo ina Suldaankiiye20
Marxuunkuna af-gudhiyuu ahaa udub-dhaxaad kiiye Hal-abuur haduu aabo iyo odey ka soo jeedo Asal bay u
lahaayeen hadaan lays inkirahayne Waxba hadalku yuu ila ordine waxaan ku soo ooday Qaasim Ebeheen oofsayoo aakhiruu tagaye
Ifka ninkii irdaha laga xidhee ooda laga jiitey Ilmadaa yaxaaskiyo waxaa oohin dami weydey I arkaay maqlaaydiyo waxaa
uubato is jiidhi Eedii aqoon laga galaa urugeey reebtaaye Sirtii erayga weeyaan waxaa uubta loo qodaye Odhaah gabay
farshaxan aaladdii weyney ehelkeede Ardaynimo jaceylkii heluu oomatada diidey Araggii Bogsiiyuu lahaa Badam21 aan
soo eego Axmadowdiba ii bixiyo ax iyo weydiiye Iyaduna hadday hoyatayoy aakhiro u jahatay Aroos wacan janada eebeheen
ha u agaasimo e Aamiin gadaasheed dhamaan uunka ugu baaqa Axmed ina Ismaciil miyaa iilka lagu leexshay Axmed Yuusuf Ducaale, London.
------------------------------------------------- Footnote----------------------------------------------------------
Waa Muxyadiin Maxamed Xuseen(Ina Good Abees oo reer Burco ah) Maxamuud Siyaad Togane waa gabayaa soomaali ah oo ku gabya af ingiriisiga.
Wuxuu leeyahay diiwaan gabaya ah oo la yidhah"the bushman and the bottle".Gabaygii marxuun Qaasin ee ayuu u tarjumay af
ingiriisi si aad u dhandhameysa. Xaaskiisa Madeleine ayaa isla gabaygaa af faransiis u tarjuntay.
Withman waa gabayaa maraykan ah,noolaa Q.19-aad oo saameyn weyn ku lahaa suugaanta Maraykanka.Wuxuu leeyahay tix layidhahdo"Myself" oo ay isku duluc
yihiin"Qadhaadh iyo Macaan". W.Blake waa gabayaa ingiriis ah oo dhashay Q.18aad oo si xaq ah loo qiimeeyey
suugaantiisa geeridiisi kadib. Waa laba beyd oo Qaasin leeyahay. Waa Oblik Carton,aqoonyahan reer Jabuuti ah oo qoray buuga
la yidhaah"Somaliland a promising country". "Arbaab-bul-xaal iyo maqaam"waa suufiyada oo leh qasaaid ay ku mujinayaan
jacaylka ay Allah u qabaan. Pushkin waa gabayaa ruush ah oo dhashay Q18aad oo saameyn weyn ku lahaa suugaanta Ruushka.
Odayga uu ka soo jeedo ayaa Q.12aad isaga oo wiil yar ah Turkigu ka soo qafaashay xeebaha Afrikada Bari,kaasoo ku danbeeyay dalka Ruushka oo uu ku tafiirmay. Ibsen waa qoraaga reer Norway ugu caansan. Shakespear wuxuu saameeyay suugaanta Ingiriiska.
Dante wuxuu saameeyay suugaanta Talyaaniga. Hoomeer waa gabayaa Giriig ah oo noolaa ku dhawaad Q.8aad Nebi Ciise ka hor
oo ku caan baxay laba tixood oo dhaadheer oo midkood layidhah Ilyaad. Voltaire wuxuu saameeyay suugaanta Faransiiska.
Goethe wuxuu saameeyay suugaanta Germany. Tagor waa gabayaa Hindiya(Bengal)ah oo la siiyey Nobel Price 1903 Iqbal waa
gabayaa Pakistaani ah Shirazi waa gabayaa Iraani ah Imrul-qays waa gabayaa Carbeed oo Islaamka hortii jiray Waa Cabdi
Iidaan Waa Timacade Badham waa macalimiintii dugsiga dhexe ee Sheekh
Mandela:
Gabay-yahaw i maqal;
Madax-yahaw rimmani
Jiiftada madiix;
Masafooy gadood;
Maax-yahay ha gudhin.
Inta uu mudduci
Madal-weyne yimi,
Wax kastuu marsado
Marlay kiiska qabo;
Oo maddaacalii
Maanshaa allee,
Garta madax ka yahay
Ka markhaati yahay
Sharcigana matalo,
Madfac-yahaw ha damin;
Mujrim-yahaw ha ladin;
Maskax-yahay godlani
Maansada ha dayn.
Qalin-yahaw mindiyo
Ii noqo maddane;
Ku marriimo dhiig;
Kuna maydho ciin.
Khadkan hoo murka ah;
Kii macallinka ah
Ee midab-caska ah.
Ku dhig heestan milil;
Maaleey qadhaadh
Dacar lagu margado.
Maarrahaan sitiyo
Kalaashkoofka mudan,
Midig aad tartide
"Madad" baan ku idhi.
Maska ubadka jaray
Dhiiggana ku mamay
Ila moora-duug.
Murti iyo higgaad
Maxlal aan ku dhalan,
Ninna macasha qaban
Waa meeqa odhan,
Ku macsuun tix aan
Maamuus ku ladhay,
Maandheela iyo
Muudaaga xumi
Dad wuxuu makalay;
Ama reer muskood
Kaga dhigay maxbuus.
Afartaa miscirir
Mus-duleed u daa;
Mid kaleeto waa
"Maqaleey war-laay"
"Ma laguu warramay?"
Waxan ahay madluun
Godobtiisa maqan,
U maleegan oo
"Maya" yidhi dulliga
Waan miigganahay;
Nin mannaagayoo
Macaluul darteed
Milgo-beelayoo,
Maalkiisa dhacan
Marti inu ku yahay
La marsiinayiyo,
Mana ihi miskiin
Ninna muuno iyo
Naxariis ka mudan.
Nacas muruq is-biday
Markuu dhabanka bidix
Farba meel ku dhigo,
Sidii Nabi Masiix
Dhanka midig u dhiib,
Mawd baan ka xigay.
Ninka midho-yariyo
Madi garab lahayn
Ii malaynayiyo,
Muska tiidsanee
Igu meersanee
Madaw iyo cadba leh,
Een mawqifkiyo
Mitidkaanu nahay
Ku midaysan nahay,
Kala maan ahaa.
Uurkayga madhan
Muruqyada i fagan,
Murugada naftiyo
Dabarkaygu maran,
Mucsurkaan qabaa,
Waa miino iyo
Meleg aasanoo,
Mar inay qarxaan
ku muddaysanoo,
Wixii lay marshiyo
Waxan maaganahy
Kala maan ahaa.
Maanshee la yidhi
Xaaqinkaa murxee
Dhul madhaa ma jiro.
Miciyihi darraa
Ee igu mudnaa,
Mariidkiyo suntii
Maaradoodi helay.
Haddaan maahsanaa
Miyir-doorsanaa,
Miiraabay oo
Mugga waan il-baxay.
Majaraan hayaa
Duul hore u maray
Ay mahadiyeen.
Afartaa mullaax
Uga maydhax-diir,
Mid kaleeto waa
Hadal waa murtiye
Maqal Abu-hadroow.
Tixdu waa mag-dheba;
Nin kastoo mitida
Oo madiidin neceb,
Waa madhax u yaal.
Waa muuno iyo
Taallo aan u muday,
Maandheela iyo
Cidda uu matalo;
Magli baan ku qoray.
Adna Maxamadoow
Maansadu nin geya
Kama maarantee,
Mayalkeeda qabo.
Gumaystaha ku maag.
Madaxoo la rogo
Iyo midab-takoor,
Inaynaan mareeg
Marna qaadananayn,
Ninka mooggan iyo
Macal-cune dhacsii.
Miliqsade ka nixi.
Hal-muceedyadii
Mari aad tiqiin;
Oo mahadho iyo
Maahmaah ka reeb.
Kana marag ahaw
Rag hadday murmaan,
Mabda'eenu waa
Isagoon mugdiyo
Madmadoow ku jirin,
Maantiyo berriba
Malafsade ha dhaco;
Xalaal-maal ha jiro;
Dadku waa masee
Ha mudh-baxo cadligu.
poem : By M. X. Dhamac ( Gaarriye), Source : AFTAHAN
Tixdani Waxaan Curiyey 12/4/09, iyadoo 11/4/09 uu ku
geeriyoodey Hargeysa Marxuum Axmed Muuse Geedi (Sanjab) isla
maalintaana lagu aasay Gabiley.
Macaan iyo Qadhaadh - A Poetic Reflection of Human Duality Macaan iyo Qadhaadh �
A Poetic Reflection of Human Duality
Written by A. Duale Sii�arag
May 11, 2010 at 12:05 PM
Cadaadley (Qaran News) - In his classic poem, Macaan iyo Qadhaadh, Qassim -
the late legendary Somali oral poet - in the spirit of poet-seers
such as William Blake or Yeats- contextualizes his poetry on a universalistic character as
opposed to the particularistic fixation of certain mundane topics that is the
fashion of most contemporary Somali poets. His are classics in that they
stand to time and space and address perplexing questions that are relevant
to human kind no matter which geographic location that they are situated, or their
belief systems or ethnicity: By that account, he is revolutionary in so many facets.
Take Macaan iyo Qadhaadh, and one can discern Qassim's revolutionary capacity
to gauge the human spirit with all its warts rather eloquently. The poem speaks
to the universal duality of the human constitution and the capacity of human beings
to possess an inexplicable and acute propensity for both good
and evil, with its inherent oppositional binaries and contradictions that
subtlely steers it. It is a universal human trait that has for over a millennium
brought down the saintly, the warrior, the generous hearted and all good and
great men (and women)-a Hubris- and see them tumble mightily and
tragically in a spectacle not unlike those of ancient Greek theatre.
Like Blake, Qassim here delves into poetic themes addressed by ancient Chinese
Taoist poets even though there is no factual evidence that Qassim may have
read Chinese literature, much less Taoist, Eastern or even Vedantic literature.
His elaboration and exposition of the Yin/Yan duality of the human
character or even soul is reminiscent of the constant theme of ancient
Chinese and Eastern literature and philosophy that almost make him a
kindred spirit of those ancient Eastern Maguses.
On another more local level, in Macaan iyo Qadhaadh, Qassim lucidly portrays not
vonly himself but the duality of the complex Somali persona and the
symbiosis of its innate split personality traits that are inherently in a state of
perpetual love and hate relationships - a mere microcosmic mirror of the
alternating feelings of amity and animosity between the Somali clans, the
hardnosed, non-delivering political leaders and the emergent parvenu
Sheikhs who are engaged in an ever-shifting alliances and allegiances.
As a matter of fact, Macaan iyo Qadhaadh could be construed as an artistic
depiction of present day Somali politics at its raw stage which is neither
cogent nor coherent. Unlike any other politics, it is not traceably principle-
based or context-driven but rooted in shifting sands; often marred with
inconsistence and the absence of a national platform. Like the Somali
persona, it is characteristically dynamic and asymmetrical in its application.
In his book, Warriors, Life and death among the Somalis, Gerald Hanley aptly
describes the complexity of the Somali character. "Of all the races of Africa,
there cannot be one better to live among than the most difficult, the
proudest, the bravest, the vainest, the most merciless, the friendliest: the Somalis."
Qassim was known for his outspoken exposition of national failings, philosophical
erudition and foresight and for his knack of interpreting and conveying popular,
groundswell sentiments of the populace through insurgent and expressive poetry.
Humble, well-loved and congenial, throughout his life, he was the seminal voice
for the downtrodden - a rebel with a cause who defied abusive authority and stayed
course in trying times and in the face of adversity. In the spirit of H.L Mencken,
his life was about " afflicting the comfortable and comforting the afflicted".
Metaphorically, Macaan and Qadhaadh is a mere symptomatic reflection of the
many shades, attributes and imperfections of the human being, while literally
it connotes the aggregate summation of the poet's life time quest to reconcile
his opposite - often contradictory - distinguishing traits.
Ironically, in this classic poem, Qassim was a judge unto himself and an author of
his performance appraisal. From this piece, one cannot help but think that
Qassim has trained his poetic eye into the bowels and abysses of his very
soul and found an uncanny commonality with a universal Human, and all too Human archetype.
Let us pay tribute to our legendary poet, Ahmed Ismael Diriye (Qassim), and
celebrate his immense contributions to the Somali poetry through one of his
best work of art - a work he hoped to be his legacy - Macaan iyo Qadhaadh
(bitter and sweet). With entrancing, flowing lyrical beauty - a typical signature
of Qassim, the poem attained a household fame in the Somali peninsula.
Macaan iyo Qadhaadh has been translated into English by B.W. Andrzejewski (with
Sheila Andrzejewski). To the delight of music-loving young Somali
generation, the poem was later immortalized by the melodic voice of our
beloved late singer, oud player and lyricist Omer Dhulleh.
Macaan iyo Qadhaadh
1. Dacartuba marbay malab dhashaa ood muudsataa dhabaqe
2. Waxan ahay macaan iyo qadhaadh meel ku wada yaalle
3. Midigtayda iyo bidixdu waa laba mataanoode
4. Midi waa martida soora iyo maata daadihise
5. Midina waa mindiyo xiirayiyo mur iyo deebaaqe
6. Masalooyin talantaalliyaan maandhow leeyahaye
7. Nin majiira keliyuun qabsada hay malayninae
8. Marbaan ahay muddeex camal san oon maagista aqoone
9. Marna macangag laayaanahoo miiggan baan ahaye
10. Marbaan ahay muftiga saahidnimo mawlacaw gala'e
11. Marna Mukhawi waashoo xumaha miista baan ahaye
12. Marbaan ahay nin xaaraan maqdaxa aan marin jidiinkise
13. Marna tuug mu'diya baan ahoon maal Rasuul bixinne
14. Marbaan ahay maqaam awliyaad maqaddinkoodiiye
15. Marna mudanka shaydaanka iyo maal jinbaan ahaye
16. Marbaan ahay murtiyo baanisaba madaxda reeraaye
17. Oo ay weliba muuniyo dulqaad igu majeertaane
18. Marna reer magaal Loofaroon muuqan baan ahaye
19. Waxan ahay nin midabbeeya oo maalinbays rogae
20. Muuqaygu gelinkiiba waa muunad goonniyahe
21. Miisaanna ima saari karo nin i maleeyaaye
22. Muslinka iyo gaalada dirkaba waan micna aqaane
23. Malaa'iigta naartiyo jannadu waygu murantaaye
24. Ninkii maalmo badan soo jiree madaxu boosaystay
25. Ee inan rag maamuli yiqiin waa i maan garanne
26. ninkasta halkii kuula mudan ee ay muhato laabtaadu
27. Ee aanad madadaaladeed ugala maarmaynin
28. Iska soo mar waa kuu bannaan marinkad doontaaye
Bitter and Sweet
Consider the aloe - how bitter is its taste!
Yet sometimes there wells up a sap so sweet
That it seems like honey in your mouth.
Side by side the sweet and bitter run
Just as they do, my friends, in me,
As I switch from sweet to bitter
And back to sweet again.
My two hands, right and left, are twins.
One twin gives food to strangers and to guests,
It sustains the weak and guides them.
But the other is a slashing, cutting knife -
As sharp to the taste as myrrh,
As bitter as the aloe.
Do not suppose I am the kind of man
Who walks along one path, and that path only.
I go one way, and seem a reasonable man,
I provoke no one, I have the best of natures -
I go another, and I'm obstinate and bold,
Striking out at others without cause.
Sometimes I seem a learned man of God
Who retreats in ascetic zeal to a seclude sanctuary -
I turn again and I'm a crazy libertine,
Sneakily snatching whatever I can get.
I am counted as one of the elders of the clan,
Esteemed for my wisdom, tact and skill in argument,
But within me there dwells a mere townee, too -
A no-good layabout he is, at that.
I'm a man whose gullet will allow no passage
For food that believers are forbidden to eat,
And yet I'm a pernicious, hardened thief -
The property of even the Prophet himself
Would not be safe from me.
I have my place among the holy saints,
I am one of the foremost of their leaders,
But at times I hold high rank in Satan's retinue,
And then my lords and masters are the jinns.
It's no good trying to weigh me up -
I can't be balanced on a pair of scales.
From this day to that my very colour changes -
Nay, I'm a man whose aspect alters
As morning turns to evening
And back once more to morning.
Muslims and infidels - I know their minds
And understand them through and through.
"He's ours!" the angels of Hell proclaim of me
"No, ours!" the angels of Heaven protest.
I have, then, all these striking qualities
Which no one can ignore -
But who can really know my mind?
Only a grey-head who has lived for many days
And learned to measure what men are worth.
And now, my friends, each man of you -
If either of the paths I follow
Takes your fancy and delights your heart,
Or even if you cannot bear to lose
The entertainment I provide,
Then come to me along the path -
You're free to make a choice!
Dayaxii Dhecee Diridhabaan weli dayeysnahaye,
Doogtii ayaan nabaradii weli dabiibaaye,
Damqashada dareenkii ayaan daawo loo heline ,
Markaan dib u xusuustaan ilmada Caliyoow daadshaaye,
Haasaawihii diiranaa daartii laga waaye,
Dagalkuu ka baxay buu dadkii weli ka ooyaaye ,
Habeen dumay ayaa igu habsaday ,
Daaim Eebahaye danabyada Ilaah oofsadee darajediisaasa,
Nin doorkii ilmadeeradey diric maxaa hoy’day,
Digrigii iyo quraankii maxaa xero daliil waayey,
Duub-weyn musheekhdii maxaa duunka laga waayey,
U dibjire Calow danaha guud u xusul- duubaayey
Oo aan dillaal lagu aqoon damac inuu qaaday,
Indhihii degmada duul ahaa iyo daryeelkeeda ,
Xujaajtii markaan dib u dayaan murug dubaaxshaaye,
Digiigaxasho rixinkii dabcaan ooyay dabadeede ,
Nin doorkii ilmaadeeradey diric maxaa hoyday,
Waxaa didiyey maansadan Calow iyo dabuubteyda ,
Amin uu dadkii jiifsaduu seexadkala daatay,
Telephoonekii dananaayayeey diidey gacanteydu ,
Dabadeedna aan qaadayee diday war aad sheegtay,
Geeridey dilaaceen dheguhu Cali dayaankeeda,
Axmed baa dekaamoo naftii deyseydii naxaye ,
Degdegaan u kacay waanigii hadalka deydayaye ,
Maxaan dood wanaag iyo qoraal cidi daleyn doonin,
Maxaan cidina daarayn Caloow maasuq laga daalay
Maxaan cidi ku daaleyn xisaab cune dabool saaray,
Maxaan daba gaal raad laga shakiyey cidi daneyn doonin,
Muxuu tabi dadweynuhu dadaal daacadnimo muuqday ,
Maxaa deeqsinimo Cali latabi hogol darooraysey,
Waxa laygu daabacay Calow doqqon isoo qaaday,
Deriskuu uu siiyey uu ku yidhi duqqa ayaad moodey,
Nin doorkii ilmaadeeradey diric maxaa hoyday,
Dajin xeer axsaabeed markey beeli dalandooshay ,
Dimiqraadinimadii ayuu galay dagaalkeede ,
Xisbigiina diiwaan-gashaay diidney niman baaney,
Dubuhuu la dhacay baan ogaa dakharadiisiiye ,
Gudidii horee doorashada waxuu daneynaayey,
Dhisideeda doorkuu lahaa duudsi geli waaye,
Dirirtuu u galay UCID ayaan cidi ka doodeyne ,
Gaashaankuu daruuraan ogaa dabac la’aantiiye,
Ururkii markuu darey sidii midhaha soo daadshay,
Doorashadii xisbigga waakuwii dibadda soo dhigaye ,
Dafiraad cad weeyaan xaqooy dalaw ka tuureene,
Darajuu ka qaadaye iyagaa dagay naftoodiiye ,
Danjiruu ahaa heerka Qaran aan kazoo degine,
Cudurkii markuu daaray buu duuley qalinkiiye,
Dalka intii lakeenaa nay odhan soo dul joogsade e,
Diplamaasi weeyaan ilmadan daadan geerida e,
Waxba hadalku yuu ila durkine waxaan ku soo deyrey ,
Tiiraanyaan la duubnaa muddaba taahan damaha hayne,
Isagaa u danbeeyeye hadduu dahay xawaalkiisu ,
Uu cullimadii daris layahay diinta fidineysay ,
Qudbiyadii dariiqada Calow daaray nalalkeeda ,
Muftigii abbaan-duulkayahay amarka loo daayay ,
Intaasoo isdabajoogtaba dhab u dabaal degiye,
Docdii aykayaaleen qalbiggu waa dalool madhane ,
Giddigoodba daartii jannaaan ugu ducuyeeye,
Nin doorkii ilmaadeeradey diric maxaa hoyday.
Curiye: Axmed Yusuf Ducaale
Nin Doorkii Ilmaadeeraday Dirac Maxaa Hoyday
