SUFI POETRY IN SOMALI

It points to you a distant shape on the horizon

with its hand

It leads you to disaster and calamity

(Text 23/41-44)

235.

Al though much of the terri tory in which the Somal i nomads

graze their livestock is semi-arid, in some areas, when

the rains come, the grass grows up to several feet tall and

various kinds of trees and shrubs become thick with leaves

and flowers. Fresh grass, in the spring, is something which

is dearly cherished by the nomads and they show a passionate

interest in the life processes of plants and vegetation.

In the line below fresh grass is used as the symbol of the

transitory nature of human happiness and prosperity:

In cagaarka bixi caws laga dhigoo, carfi dhici

dadow la cajaa'ibay

o people marvel how the fresh grass changes into

withered hay and loses its fragrance
(Text 10/53)
A tract of land which is covered by green grass is both a

sign of beauty and a symbol of prosperity:

Weli cirfaanlow, cagaaran yaaloo cisi AlIa saarow

cajal muraadii

o \\!lise saint, 0 meadow which God exalted, grant my

wishes quickly

(Text 21/1)

Iminkaan furfurayaa tixdii, ubaxu saarraaye

But now, I shall lay open verses which are adorned

'vi th flower s

(Text 25/2)