SUFI POETRY IN SOMALI

24C.

According to the nomad's code of behaviour, it is regarded

bad manners to use one's tongue in order to extract food

from a container, especially the milking vessel. Such an

action symbolizes unrestrained greed in the acquisition of

worldly possessions:

Horornimo ma Eiicna, iyo dhiilkaad heeminayside

It 1S repulsive to be a glutton and to lick the

milk vessel

(Text 23/23)

Riding used to be, and in some areas still is, a popular

mode of transportation and sport among Somalis. The image

of a stirrup, familiar to riders, is used as a symbol of

prayer which helps the soul to lift itself to higher things:

Raaxada Aakhiro salaadda ayaa u rakaab ah

Prayer is the stirrup [by which one mounts the

saddle] of the comfort of Other World

(Text 5/51)

One of the most important items which make up the structure

of the Somali portable house is the central pole which firmly

supports the hous~. This pole is used to represent strength

and centrality:

Adlaaq, Ataxriimiyo

Almulkiyo Alqalamiyo

Alxaaqa waa udub koodiyoo

SURATU 'T-TALA:Q, SURATU 'T-TAHRIM

SUlZATU I L-MULK, SURATU I L-QALAM

And SURATU 'L-l)AQQAH are central poles to

the !VIus 1 ims

(Text 1/133-135)