SUFI POETRY IN SOMALI

(Chris Devlin) #1

They were made of two kinds so that they might


inspire admiration in one another


Evil is the custom of Somalis - otherwise they


would not revile me.


('The Life of Imi Bowndheri', p. 196)
Moreover, Cilmi states that all the cures which have been
prescribed for him to remedy his ailing heart were rendered


ineffective by the power of his 10vB. Even the medicinal


potions given to him by men of religion and their spiritual


consolations could not cure the love in Cilmi's withered


heart:


Casharkay wadaaddaduqoreen, cudurkan goyn waaye
Cilmi iyo dawo ba doontay 00, waayay cilinkiiye
Illayn caashaq la rna maydhi karo, kugu cirrooloobay~

The amulets written by men of religion failed to
stop the sickness
I sought the sacred knowledge and medicines but
failed to find a cure

You cannot wash away the love which turned into


grey hair upon you~


(Ibid., 10-12)


Also engaged in the theme of love, Salaan Carrabey laments


the lack of compassion among his fellow men and reminds


them of their final destiny and the j,udgement of God:


Ifka intaynu xaynahay haddaan, xiiso kala weynay


Aakhi ro Rab baa ina xukumi, xaqa inoo yaal'e.

If in this life we failed to find love from each
other

In the next world the Lord will judge and give us


our just portion.
(Somali Poetry, Poem 13, Lines 68-69)

43.

I
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