{"id":80,"date":"2014-08-01T17:25:38","date_gmt":"2014-08-02T00:25:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swahilipoetry.humnet.ucla.edu\/?page_id=80"},"modified":"2026-05-27T10:48:37","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T17:48:37","slug":"kobe-na-sungura-by-nabhany","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/swahilipoetry.humspace.ucla.edu\/?page_id=80","title":{"rendered":"Kobe na Sungura"},"content":{"rendered":"

The poem\u00a0Kobe na Sungura\u00a0<\/em>was composed by Ahmed Sheikh Nabhany who resides in Mombasa. \u00a0It is based on the well-known folk tale about the race run by the Tortoise and the Hare, familiar to the children of the world. \u00a0The translation is by TJH with the help of a translation by Jan Feidel\u00a0of New York who kindly shared his work.<\/p>\n

The original without translation appeared\u00a0in Umbuji wa Kiwandeo<\/em>, a collection of Nabhany’s poetry edited by\u00a0Ibrahim Noor Shariff and published by the East African Publishing House in 1985. \u00a0Presented here with the permission of the author.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Kobe na Sungura<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nTortoise and Hare<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1.\u00a0 Walitaka mashindano, kobe na mwend<\/em><\/span>e sungura<\/span><\/td>\nThey wanted a competition, Tortoise and his friend Hare<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wakafanya maagano, mambo yakawa imara<\/span><\/td>\nThey agreed, and so things were set firmly in place<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wakangoja mapambano, nani wa kutia fora.<\/span><\/td>\nThey waited for the struggle, who would be the winner<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2.\u00a0 Wakaalika mwituni, wanyama wakawambiya<\/span><\/td>\nThey invited the animals of the forest, and told them<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wasibaki hayawani, siku wakiingojeya<\/span><\/td>\nNot one beast should remain behind, waiting for it (the race)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Watizame ushindani, watakaokukimbiya.<\/span><\/td>\nSo they might see the contest and those who will run.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3. Hapo wakakusanyika, simba na punda miliya<\/span><\/td>\nThen lions and zebras gathered together<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Faru ndovu wakatoka,\u00a0t<\/span><\/em>‘ui na nyati pamoya<\/span><\/td>\nRhinos and elephants came out, along with leopards and buffalo<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vyura p’aa hata nyoka, hakuna alobakiya<\/span><\/td>\nFrogs, gazelles, even snakes, there was no one who remained behind.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4.\u00a0 Amri yalipotoka, washindani kukimbiya<\/span><\/td>\nWhen the command came for the competitors to run<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sungura akishopoka, nyuma hakuangaliya<\/span><\/td>\nOnce Hare sprang forth, he never\u00a0 looked back<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Na kobe kasingirika, kiyandama yake nd<\/span><\/em>iya.<\/span><\/td>\nAnd Tortoise rolled along, going along his way.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5. Kitunguwe akifika, katikati kapumuwa<\/span><\/td>\nUpon reaching half way Hare took a rest<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
T<\/span><\/em>‘iyat<\/span><\/em>i akapomoka, kwa mbiyo akaikuwa<\/span><\/td>\nHe collapsed on the ground (but) as for the race he was in command<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dharau zikamshika, kobe havuti khatuwa.<\/span><\/td>\nScorn took hold of him, Tortoise isn’t taking any steps.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6.\u00a0 Kobe kazi akashika, na bidii akatiya<\/span><\/td>\nTortoise held to his task, and put effort (into it)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Katikati akafika, sungura meilaliya<\/span><\/td>\nHe arrived half way, (where) Hare was fast asleep<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wala yeye hakuchoka, safari kaendeleya<\/span><\/td>\nNor was he tired, and went on with his journey<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
7.\u00a0 Kit<\/span><\/em>unguwe kizunduka, fududu mesikiliya<\/span><\/td>\nWhen Hare awoke with a start, Tortoise had already arrived (and gone)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Akakimbiya haraka, kwa kasi akit<\/span><\/em>\u2019upiya<\/span><\/td>\nAnd so off in a rush he ran, pushing himself quickly into high gear<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kobe nae amefika, ushindi kaipatiya.<\/span><\/td>\nBut Kobe had already arrived and secured victory for himself.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
8.\u00a0 Kwa wot<\/span><\/em>‘e wakatamka, wanyama wakamwambiya<\/span><\/td>\nEveryone there declared, all the animals said to him<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kifuvu mayond<\/em><\/span>i\u00a0t<\/span><\/em>eka, salama kusikiliya<\/span><\/td>\nTortoise, laugh, you have safely arrived<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ubele umeushika, kuongoza yako nd<\/span><\/em>iya.<\/span><\/td>\nYou have come in first, to be a leader (to lead) is your way.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
9. Na medo umeishika, sungura hajatokeya<\/span><\/td>\nAnd you have reached your goal, Hare has not yet appeared<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kwa sut<\/span><\/em>‘e tumeridhika, mk’oni kusikiliya<\/span><\/td>\nAs for us we all agree, you have reached the finish line<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Umeshinda kwa hakika, nasi tumeshuhudiya.<\/span><\/td>\nYou have certainly won, and we have witnessed it.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10.\u00a0 K’ongole ndako mwendani, kwa bidii ulotiya<\/span><\/td>\nCongratulations are yours, O friend, for the effort you made<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kit<\/span><\/em>unguwe yafaani, mbiyo alozikimbiya<\/span><\/td>\nAs for Hare, what good was the speed with which he ran<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kiburi na\u00a0taraghani, hazikumsaidiya.<\/span><\/td>\nArrogance and boastfulness did not help him.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
11.\u00a0 Sungura kahuzunika, pumzi akizifuwa<\/span><\/td>\nHare was sad, as he panted away<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mai yakisha mwagika, ni taabu kuyazowa<\/span><\/td>\nOnce water is spilled, it is difficult to mop it up<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Taratibu kaondoka, na mat<\/span><\/em>ozi akitowa.<\/span><\/td>\nSlowly he left, with tears flowing.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Kobe na Sungura<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
chupa<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. i.]<\/span><\/td>\nJump down from above, jump from branch to branch in a tree, etc. (FJ).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
fududu<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 9\/10 an.]<\/span><\/td>\nTortoise (TJH). Tortue de terre (G.). Syn. Am. kifuvu-mayon<\/em>d<\/em><\/span>i<\/em>; DS kobe (Sx). Not in FJ. Ki<\/em>t<\/em><\/span>unguwe kizunduka,\u00a0<\/em>fududu<\/em><\/strong> mesikiliya<\/em>, When Hare awoke with a start, Tortoise had already arrived (and gone on) (ASN-KS7).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
fuwa pumzi<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. tr.]<\/span><\/td>\nDraw breath, pant; lit. beat the breath (TJH). See –fua<\/em> beat, strike, hammer, but usually limited to certain operations (FJ). Sungura kahuzunika\u00a0<\/em>pumzi<\/em><\/strong> akizi<\/em>fuwa<\/em><\/strong>, Hare was sad, as he panted away (ASN-KS11).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
hayawani<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 9\/10 an.]<\/span><\/td>\nAnimal; (2) beast; (3) brute, savage violent person (TJH). Brute, beast; a person just like an animal, i.e. shameless, stupid, brute, idiot (FJ). Wasibaki <\/em>hayawani,\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>siku wakiingojeya<\/em>, Not one animal should remain behind, waiting for it (the race) (ASN-KS1).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ikuwa<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. refl.]<\/span><\/td>\nBe in control of oneself, have power over; see \u2013jiweza<\/em>, {< -ji- + kuwa ‘to be’} (TJH); T<\/em><\/span>‘iya<\/em>t<\/em><\/span>i akapomoka<\/em>,\u00a0<\/em>kwa<\/em> mbiyo <\/em>akaikuwa<\/em><\/strong> He collapsed on the ground (but) as for the race he was in command (ASN-KS5).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ilaliya<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. refl. appl.]<\/span><\/td>\nBe in a deep asleep, be fast asleep (TJH). St. –jilalia<\/em>; See St. –lala<\/em> (FJ). Katikati akafika,\u00a0<\/em>sungura <\/em>meilaliya<\/em><\/strong>, He arrived half way, (where) Hare was fast asleep (ASN-KS6).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ipatiya<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. refl. appl.]<\/span><\/td>\nGet for oneself. See St. –jipatia<\/em> (TJH). Kobe nae amefika\u00a0<\/em>ushindi <\/em>kaipatiya<\/em><\/strong>, But Kobe had already arrived and secured victory for himself (ASN-KS7).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
it<\/span><\/em>‘upiya<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. refl. appl.]<\/span><\/td>\nRush oneself into action [TJH]. See St. \u2013jichupia<\/em>; –t<\/em><\/span>upia<\/em>. Akakimbiya haraka\u00a0<\/em>kwa kasi <\/em>akit<\/span>\u2019upiya<\/em><\/strong>, And then off in a rush he ran, pushing himself at high speed (ASN-KS7).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
k’ongole<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 9\/10]<\/span><\/td>\nCongratulations (TJH). See\u00a0hongera, pongezi<\/em> (FJ). K’ongole<\/em><\/strong> ndako mwendani\u00a0<\/em>kwa bi<\/em>d<\/em>ii ulotiya<\/em>, Congratulations are yours, Oh friend, for the effort you put in to it (ASN-KS10).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
khatuwa<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 9\/10]<\/span><\/td>\nStep, pace (TJH). See St. hatua<\/em> (FJ). Dharau zikamshika\u00a0<\/em>kobe havuti <\/em>kha<\/em><\/strong>t<\/em><\/strong>uwa<\/em><\/strong>, Scorn took hold of him, Tortoise isn’t taking any steps (ASN-KS5).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
kifuvu-mayond<\/span><\/em>i\/zi-<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n.7\/8]<\/span><\/td>\nTortoise (TJH). Tortue de terre, litt. \u201cla coque (carapace) b\u00e9ate\u201d (Am) \u2014 Syn DS kobe<\/em>, G. fududu<\/em>. (Sx). Kifuvu mayon<\/em><\/strong>d<\/em><\/strong><\/span>i,\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>t<\/em><\/span>eka\u00a0<\/em>salama kusikiliya<\/em>, Tortoise, laugh, you have safely arrived (ASN-KS8).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
kit<\/span><\/em>unguwe<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 7\/8 an.]<\/span><\/td>\nHare (TJH). Li\u00e8vre (Va. Mv.), sungura<\/em> (DS), mbuga<\/em> (Mr.) par ext. lapin. \u2014 Fig. en parlant de qqn., un li\u00e8vre, un malin. \u00a02) Mv. atte, sort d\u2019araign\u00e9, saltigrade tr\u00e8s belliqueuse. \u2014 Syn. DS. Mv. kiuma-nzi<\/em>, Am. G. ki<\/em>t<\/em>unguwe<\/em>, G. kizukali.<\/em> (Sx). Ki<\/em><\/strong>t<\/em><\/strong><\/span>unguwe<\/em><\/strong> akifika,\u00a0<\/em>katikati kapumuwa<\/em>, Upon reaching half way Hare took a rest (ASN-KS5).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
mai<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n.5]<\/span><\/td>\nWater (TJH). See maji<\/em> (FJ). Mai<\/em><\/strong> yakisha mwagika,\u00a0<\/em>ni taabu kuyazowa,<\/em> Once water is spilled, it is difficult to mop it up (ASN-KS11).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
mbiyo<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n.9\/10]<\/span><\/td>\nRace, running fast (TJH). See St. mbio <\/em>(FJ).\u00a0Ki<\/em>t<\/em><\/span>unguwe yafaani,\u00a0<\/em>mbiyo<\/em><\/strong> alozikimbiya<\/em>, As for Hare, what good was the speed with which he ran (ASN-KS10). Note use of plural relative pronoun in verb alozikimbiya\u00a0<\/em>agreeing with\u00a0mbiyo.<\/em><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
medo<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 9\/10]<\/span><\/td>\nGoal (TJH). See mede<\/em> (inv.) But (but de jeu), la pierre etc., qui marque le but (Sx).\u00a0Na\u00a0medo <\/strong>umeishika, sungura hajatokeya<\/em>; And you have reached the goal, Hare has not yet appeared (ASN-KS9). Ar.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
mk’o<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 3]<\/span><\/td>\nFinish line (?) (TJH). Not in Sx, FJ. Kwa su<\/em>t<\/em>‘e tumeridhika,\u00a0<\/em>mk’oni<\/em><\/strong> kusikiliya<\/em>, As for us all we agree, you have reached the finish line (ASN-KS9).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
mshindani\/wa-<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 1\/2]<\/span><\/td>\nCompetitor (TJH). See \u2013shindana<\/em> (FJ). Amri yalipo<\/em>t<\/em>oka,\u00a0<\/em>washindani<\/em><\/strong> kukimbiya<\/em>; Sungura akishopoka,\u00a0<\/em>nyuma hakuangaliya<\/em>, When the command came for the competitors to run; spring forth Hare never looked back (ASN-KS4).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
mwend<\/em><\/span>e\/w-<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 1\/2]<\/span><\/td>\nCompanion, friend (TJH). See St. mwenzi<\/em> (FJ). Also mwend<\/span>i<\/em> (Sx). Wali<\/em>t<\/em>aka mashindano,\u00a0<\/em>kobe na <\/em>mwen<\/em><\/strong>d<\/em><\/strong><\/span>e<\/em><\/strong> sungura<\/em>, They wanted a competition, Tortoise and his friend Hare (ASN-KS1).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ndako<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. cop.]<\/span><\/td>\nIt is yours, they are yours. St. ni yako ~ ni zako<\/em>. See Nurse 1982, p. 83 (TJH). Crase pour ni <\/em>ya <\/em> avec extensions aux locutions possessives ndangu, ndako, ndake, ndetu, ndenu, ndao.<\/em> Ces forms sont plus usit\u00e9es dans les Dial. Am. G. Ng. qu\u2019ailleurs \u2026 (Sx). K’ongole<\/em><\/strong> ndako mwendani,\u00a0<\/em>kwa bi<\/em>d<\/em>ii ulotiya;<\/em>\u00a0Congratulations are yours, Oh friend, for the effort you put in to it (ASN-KS10).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
opoka<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. i.]<\/span><\/td>\nTake off, spring forth, pull out quickly, pull away quickly (TJH). Be saved (rescued, cured) (FJ). \u2013Opoa<\/em> take (fetch, pull, draw) out (FJ). –Opoa<\/em>: 1. (DS. Mv, = Ngw. -lopola, -opola, -opoa<\/em>). retirer, tirer, enlever ou arracher del\u2019int\u00e9rieur de; rep\u00eacher; prendre dedans; d\u00e9gager, d\u00e9p\u00eatrer …; 2. (Mv) Enlever ou ravir sa proie (oiseau); 3. (Am) faire tomber d\u2019un endroit \u00e9lev\u00e9. Tartibu! <\/em>utamwopoa<\/em> (katika mti), <\/em> Attention! Tu le feras tomber (de l\u2019arbre). Sungura <\/em>akishopoka,\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>nyuma hakuangaliya<\/em>, Once Hare sprang forth, he never looked back (ASN-KS4). {See \u2013ng\u2019oa<\/em> root up, pull out, –ng\u2019oka<\/em> be pulled up; colloq. Go away in a hurry, pull away, be on one\u2019s way}.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
pamoya<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 16, adv.]<\/span><\/td>\nTogether, in the company with (< pa<\/em>– + –moya<\/em>\u00a0‘one place’) (TJH). See St. pamoja<\/em> (FJ). Faru ndovu waka<\/em>t<\/em>oka,\u00a0<\/em>t<\/em><\/span>‘ui na nyati <\/em>pamoya<\/em><\/strong>, Rhinos and elephants came out, along with leopards and buffalo (ASN-KS3).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
pomoka<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. i.]<\/span><\/td>\nFall down, collapse. See tomber, s\u2019abattre (Am. G.): verbe distinct de -poromoka<\/em> \u00e9galement us. \u00e0 Am. \u2014 Doublet de -bomoka<\/em>, rac. -omoa > omo (Sx). Fall down, collapse (FJ). T<\/span>‘iya<\/em>t<\/em><\/span>i <\/em>akapomoka<\/em><\/strong>, kwa mbiyo akaikuwa<\/em> He collapsed on the ground (but) as for the race he was in command (ASN-KS5).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
pumuwa<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. i.]<\/span><\/td>\nDraw breath, breath; rest. See St. –pumua<\/em> 1. draw breath, breathe… 2. …. rest… (FJ). Ki<\/em>t<\/em>unguwe akifika,\u00a0<\/em>katikati <\/em>kapumuwa<\/em><\/strong>, Upon reaching half way, Hare took a rest (ASN-KS5).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
punda miliya<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 9\/10 an.]<\/span><\/td>\nZebra (TJH). See St. punda milia<\/em> (FJ). Hapo wakakusanyika,\u00a0<\/em>simba na <\/em>punda miliya<\/em><\/strong>, Then lions and zebras gathered together (ASN-KS3).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ridhika<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. i.]<\/span><\/td>\nBe happy, be content, be satisfied, be in accord, be in agreement (TJH). See radhi<\/em> (FJ). Kwa su<\/em>t<\/em><\/span>‘e <\/em>tumeridhika,\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>mk’oni kusikiliya<\/em>, As for us all we agree, you have reached the finish line (ASN-KS9).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
shika ubele<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. tr.]<\/span><\/td>\nCome in first, be first in a race; See ubele<\/em> (TJH). Ubele\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>umeushika,\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>kuongoza yako nd<\/span>iya<\/em>, You have come in first, to be a leader (to lead) is your way (ASN-KS8).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
shika medo<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. tr.]<\/span><\/td>\nReach one’s goal, get a goal (TJH). See mede<\/em> (inv.) But (but de jeu), la pierre etc., qui marque le but (Sx).\u00a0Na\u00a0medo <\/strong>umeishika, sungura hajatokeya<\/em>; And you have reached the goal, Hare has not yet appeared (ASN-KS9). Ar.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
sikiliya<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. intns.]<\/span><\/td>\nArrive, get to a place (TJH). See St. –fikilia<\/em> (ND si : SD fi). Sx identifies –sikiliya<\/em> as a synonym for St. –fika<\/em> in Amu and Tikuu. Ki<\/em>t<\/em><\/span>unguwe kizunduka,\u00a0<\/em>fududu <\/em>mesikiliya<\/em><\/strong>, When Hare awoke with a start, Tortoise had already arrived (and gone on) (ASN-KS7).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
singirika<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. i.]<\/span><\/td>\nRoll along, go by rolling (TJH). See Sx under –vingirika<\/em>: Rouler en progessant, advancer en roulant, rouler; pouvoir rouler, Jiwe likavingirika, likashukia chini<\/em> {-singirika<\/em> (Am.), –bingirika<\/em> (DS, Mv.), –viringika<\/em> (G.), –bimbirika<\/em> (Mr.)}; see DS –vingirika<\/em>, –bimbirika<\/em>; –singirika<\/em> < *-fingirika<\/em> < –vingirika<\/em> m\u00e9tath\u00e8se de –viringika<\/em> (Sx). See –fingirika<\/em> go by rolling (by turning round or over and over), roll round, be rolled along, as a log, not as a stationary revolving wheel (FJ). Na kobe <\/em>kasingirika,\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>kiyan<\/em>d<\/em>ama yake n<\/em>d<\/em>iya<\/em>, And Tortoise rolled along, going along his way (ASN-KS4).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
sut<\/span><\/em>‘e<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[pron.]<\/span><\/td>\nAll of us (TJH). See St. sote<\/em> & -ote<\/em> (FJ). Am. G. = DS sote<\/em> (Sx). Kwa <\/em>su<\/em><\/strong>t<\/em><\/strong><\/span>‘e<\/em><\/strong> tumeridhika,\u00a0<\/em>mk’oni kusikiliya<\/em>, As for us all we agree, you have reached the finish line (ASN-KS9).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
t<\/span><\/em>‘iyat<\/span><\/em>i<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 9\/10]<\/span><\/td>\nGround, on the ground (< t<\/span><\/em>‘i ya t<\/span><\/em>i) (TJH). See St. nchi<\/em>, chini<\/em> (FJ). Dans les expressions nyuni wa <\/em>t<\/em><\/span>‘ia<\/em>t<\/em><\/span>i, <\/em>oiseau terrestre, oiseau coureur (Mv. Am.); noni wa i<\/em>t<\/em><\/span>\u2019i<\/em> (G.) :\u00a0ndege wa chini <\/em>(DS); ke<\/em>t<\/em><\/span>\u2019i <\/em>t<\/em><\/span>‘ia<\/em>t<\/em><\/span>i<\/em>, assieds-toi \u00e0 terre (G); ke<\/em>t<\/em><\/span>i it<\/span>\u2019i<\/em>\u00a0: DS kaa chini (G) (Sx) T<\/em><\/strong><\/span>‘iya<\/em><\/strong>t<\/em><\/strong><\/span>i<\/em><\/strong> akapomoka, kwa mbiyo akaikuwa<\/em> He collapsed on the ground, (but) as for the race he was in command (ASN-KS5).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
t<\/span><\/em>\u2019ui<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 9\/10 an.]<\/span><\/td>\nLeopard (TJH). See St. chui<\/em> (FJ). Faru ndovu waka<\/em>t<\/em>oka,\u00a0<\/em>t<\/em><\/strong><\/span>‘ui<\/em><\/strong> na nyati pamoya<\/em>, Rhinos and elephants came out, along with leopards and buffalo (ASN-KS3).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
t<\/em><\/span>upa<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. i.]<\/span><\/td>\nJump down from above, etc. (FJ). <\/span><\/span>Sauter par dessus Mr. Am. = Z. P. \u2013chupa<\/em> (Sx).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
t<\/em><\/span>upiya<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. appl.]<\/span><\/td>\nRush along, etc. (TJH). See \u2013chupa<\/em> jump down from above, jump from branch to branch in a tree, etc.; -chupia<\/em> move quickly, rush, dash, gallop (FJ). Akakimbiya haraka,\u00a0<\/em>kwa kasi <\/em>akit<\/span>upiya<\/em><\/strong>, And then off in a rush he ran, pushing himself quickly at high speed (ASN-KS7).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
tia fora<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. i.]<\/span><\/td>\nWin in a game, succeed in an undertaking, i.e. a particular task of work (FJ). Wakangoja mapambano, nani wa <\/em>kutia fora<\/em><\/strong>, They waited for the struggle, who would be the winner (ASN-KS1).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
tiya<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. tr.]<\/span><\/td>\nPut, place. See St. –tia<\/em> (FJ). Kobe kazi akashika,\u00a0<\/em>na <\/em>bi<\/em><\/strong>d<\/em><\/strong>ii<\/em><\/strong> akatiya<\/em>, Tortoise held to his task, and put effort into it (ASN-KS6).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
t<\/em><\/span>ozi\/ma-<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 5\/6]<\/span><\/td>\nTear. St. chozi\/ma<\/em>– ‘tear’ (FJ). T<\/em>ara<\/em>t<\/em>ibu kaondoka,\u00a0<\/em>na <\/em>ma<\/em><\/strong>t<\/em><\/strong><\/span>ozi<\/em><\/strong> akitowa<\/em>, Slowly he left, with tears flowing (ASN-KS11).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ubele<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 11\/10]<\/span><\/td>\nForward position, ahead, first; advancement, advancement in rank, progress (TJH). Position en avant; avancement, action de monter en grade, progress, < mbele<\/em> (Am. G. ubee<\/em>) (Sx). Feather, a sign of victory (ASN). See mbele<\/em> before, in front, etc. (FJ). Ubele<\/em><\/strong> umeushika,\u00a0<\/em>kuongoza yako ndiya<\/em>, You have come in first, to be a leader (to lead) is your way (ASN-KS8).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ushindani<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[n. 14]<\/span><\/td>\nRivalry, competition, emulation, contest, fighting (FJ). Watizame <\/em>ushindani,\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>wa<\/em>t<\/em>akaokukimbiya<\/em>, So they might see the contest and those who will (want to) run (ASN-KS2).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
vuta khatuwa<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. tr.]<\/span><\/td>\nTake steps, make tracks, move along (TJH). See St. –vuta<\/em> (FJ). Dharau zikamshika,\u00a0<\/em>kobe <\/em>havuti<\/em><\/strong>kha<\/em><\/strong>t<\/em><\/strong>uwa<\/em><\/strong>, Scorn took hold of him, Tortoise isn’t taking any steps (ASN-KS5).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
wa imara<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. i.]<\/span><\/td>\nBe set, be established, be firm, be fixed in place (TJH). See imara<\/em> (FJ). Wakafanya maagano, mambo yakawa imara<\/strong>, They made a pact, and so everything was firmly set (ASN-KS-1).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
watakaokukimbiya<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[infl. v.]<\/span><\/td>\nSee St. Watakao kukimbia<\/em>. Normally the infinitival marker ku<\/em> is dropped in St. Sw. constructions. Watizame ushindani,\u00a0<\/em>wa<\/em><\/strong>t<\/em><\/strong>akaokukimbiya<\/em><\/strong>, So they might see the contest and those who will run (ASN-KS2).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
yafaani<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[infl. v.]<\/span><\/td>\nSee St. Yafaa nini<\/em>? Of what use is it, of what good is it, what is it good for? See \u2013faa<\/em> (FJ). Ki<\/em>t<\/em>unguwe <\/em>yafaani,\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>mbiyo alozikimbiya<\/em>, As for Hare, what good was the speed with which he ran? (ASN-KS10).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
zunduka<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n[v. i.]<\/span><\/td>\nWake up suddenly with a start (TJH). Se r\u00e9veiller en sursaut (Sx). See St. –zinduka<\/em> (FJ). Ki<\/em>t<\/em>unguwe <\/em>kizunduka,\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>fududu mesikiliya<\/em>, When Hare awoke with a start, Tortoise had already arrived (and gone on) (ASN-KS7).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Note: Though many of the lexical forms which Nabhany uses are Northern Dialect forms (e.g. t<\/span>‘ui<\/em> “leopard”\u00a0and -sikiliya “arrive”<\/em>), he also uses Southern Forms (e.g. vyura<\/em> KS-3 which in ND would be zura <\/em>“frogs”)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The poem\u00a0Kobe na Sungura\u00a0was composed by Ahmed Sheikh Nabhany who resides in Mombasa. \u00a0It is based on the well-known folk tale about the race run by the Tortoise and the Hare, familiar to the children of the world. \u00a0The translation is by TJH with the help of a translation by Jan Feidel\u00a0of New York who … Continue reading Kobe na Sungura<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":87,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-80","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swahilipoetry.humspace.ucla.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/80","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swahilipoetry.humspace.ucla.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swahilipoetry.humspace.ucla.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swahilipoetry.humspace.ucla.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swahilipoetry.humspace.ucla.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=80"}],"version-history":[{"count":22,"href":"https:\/\/swahilipoetry.humspace.ucla.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/80\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":880,"href":"https:\/\/swahilipoetry.humspace.ucla.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/80\/revisions\/880"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swahilipoetry.humspace.ucla.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/87"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swahilipoetry.humspace.ucla.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=80"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}