SUFI POETRY IN SOMALI

116.

II. Poems in Praise of the Prophet

The poems which venerate the Prophet are numerous; and

out of a large repertoire, I have selected representative

examples which portray the depth and character of this

kind of Sufi poetry. Some poems in praise of the Prophet

have become popular throughout all the Somali-speaking
territories to such an extent that if their refrains are
mentioned they would be recognized by any Somali. Among

such poems are Yaa Khayr-alanaami '0 Most Gracious of All

Creatures' (Text 8) and Yaa Nebii '0 Prophet' (Text 9).