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      BUSTANI YA MASHAIRI


SHAIRI YA KWANZA YAITWA TITI LA MAMA
Titi la mama litamu,hata likiwa la mbwa,
Kiswahili naazimu,sifayo iliyofumbwa,
Kwa wasiokufahamu,niimbe ilivyo kubwa,
Toka kama mlizamu, funika palipozibwa,
Titile mama litamu ,Jingine halishi hamu.



Lugha yangu ya utoto,hata sasa nimekua,
Tangu ulimi  mzito,sasa kusema najua,
Ni sawa na manukato,moyoni mwangu na pua,
Pori bahari na mto,napita nikitumia,
Titile mama litamu,jingine halishi hamu.

TRANSLATION OF THE FIRST POEM

One's mother's  breast is the sweetest
Canine it may be,
And thou,Swahili,my mother- tonque,
art still the dearest to me.
My song springs forth from a welling
heart, I offer thee my plea
That who have not known thee,
may join in hormage to thee.
One's  mother's breast is the sweetest,
no other so satisfies.



The speech of my childhood ,now I am 
fully grown
I realize thy beauty and have made it
 all on my own
And though refreshest my spirit like the 
scent of the roses blown
Through desert and o'er ocean may I
thy praises known.
One's mother's breast is the sweetest,
no other so satisfies.

By Shaban Rorbert from Jahadhmi's anthology of Swahili poetry
 

SHAIRI YA TATU YAITWA UWATAPO HAKI YAKO
              
                Namba nawe mlimwengu, pulikiza matamko
                Nikweleze neno langu, uzinduwe bongo lako
                Nayo nda M'ngu si yangu, na ayani haya yako
                Uwatapo haki yako,  utaingiya motoni
   
                               2
                Simama uitete, usivikhofu vituko
                Aliyo nayo mwendee, akupe kilicho chako
                Akipinga mlemee, mwandame kulla endako
                Uwatapo haki yako, utaingiya motoni

                              3
                Amkani mulolala,na wenye sikio koko
                Isiwe mato kulola,natutizame twendako
                Tuwate na kuduwala,usingizi si mashiko
                Uwatapo haki yako,utaingiya motoni

                             4
                Teteya kwa kula hali, usiche misukosuko
                Siche wingi wala mali,sabilisha roho yako
                Unyonge usikubali, ukaonewa kwa chako 
                Uwatapo haki yako, utaingiya motoni

                             5
                Siche kifaru na ndovu, wangazidi nguvu zako
                Wapempe kwa uwekevu, unusuru haki yako
                Siandame wapumbavu,kilicho chako ni chako
                Uwatapo haki yako, utaingiya motoni

                             6
                Cha mtu hakifitiki,kikafungiwa kiliko
                Huzuka kikawa hiki,kazana utwae chako
                Uwatapo yako haki,fahamu ni dhara kwako
                Leo na kwa Mola wako,utaingiya motoni

                            7
                Fumbuwa unyang'arize, uone duniya yako
                Bure sijiangamize,kuangalia wendako
                Utatupa upoteze,wende ambapo si pako
                Uwatapo haki yako,utaingiya motoni

                            8
               Kadhalika nako pia,huko ambako sikwako
               Huwezi kujitetea,wala huwi na mashiko
               Basi iwaze duniya,kwani ya kale hayako
               Uwatapo haki yako ,utaingiya motoni

                            9
               Kadi tamati shairi,sitii la ongezeko
               Mwanati iwa tayari, utete haki yako
               Unyonge usiukiri,Jifunge ufe kwa chako
               Uwatapo haki yako, utaingiya motoni      
  

by Ahmad Nassir from Malenga wa Mvita

SHAIRI YA N'NE YAITWA "OWA"
 
                                                                   
                      Owa s'andame hadaa, moyo ukahadaiwa
                      Owa anaye kufaa, mke mwenye kusifiwa
                      Owa upate kuzaa, kama ulivyozaliwa
                      Owa ukijaaliwa, mupendane na mkeo

                                                 [2]
                      Owa aliye na kheri, muandamane kwa dini
                      Owa yai la johari, litiye nuru nyumbani
                      Owa mdomo mzuri, ukupambie lisani
                      Owa ungiye nyumbani, mupendane na mkeo

                                                [3]
                      Owa moyo wa imani, usozumbua mafuja
                      Owa usiowe duni, anayeitwa kioja
                      Owa mtenda wa dini, ndiye mke mwenye haja
                      Owa utungiwe koja, mupendane na mkeo

                                             [4]
                      Owa siowe tambara, linukiyalo vibaya
                      Owa mwanamke jura, mlekeze njema ndia
                      Owa usiowe sura, kutaka kuzangaliya
                      Owa mzuri tabiya, mupendane na mkeo

                                           [5]
                      Owa kijana kitoto, mteshi wa kutekeya
                      Owa akwandike jito, mwenye kukuhurumiya
                      Owa usiowe zito, jabali likakwemeya
                      Owa aliye na haya, mupendane na mkeo

                                         [6]
                      Owa s'andame uhuni, upate juwa kuzawa
                      Owa nami natamani, ela sijajaaliwa
                      Owa utiye chandani, pete uloiteuwa
                      Owa ujuwe kuowa, mupendane na mkeo

                                        [7]
                      Owa uvishwe kilemba, na joho na mahazamu
                      Owa wapate kupamba, ukale twiba na tamu
                      Owa upambiwe chumba, upate tanganya damu
                      Owa usijidhulumu, mupendane na mkeo

                                       [8]
                      Owa kinda la tausi, alo nadhifu mibele
                      Owa kiini cheusi, chendacho nyuma na mbele
                      Owa siowe tetesi, apaye watu uwele
                      Owa aliye lekele,  mupendane na mkeo

                                      [9]
                      Owa ualike watu, wahudhuriye arusi
                      Owa nawe uwe mtu, mkeo simnakisi
                      Owa muonyane utu, mukae mutaanasi
                      Owa mupane mepesi, mupendane na mkeo

                                    [10]
                      Owa akukubaliye, akuizao siowe
                      Owa upendane naye, zamani sizo ujuwe
                      Owa akuridhiyae, mujikubali wenyewe
                      Owa mukae mutuwe, mupendane na mkeo

                                   [11]
                      Owa chenye asimini, kikuba cha asiliya
                      Owa kilo na rihani, na waridi maridhiya
                      Owa kilicho na shani, na manukato kutiya
                      Owa ujuwe duniya, mupendane na mkeo

                                    [12]
                      Owa utukuze cheo, na jina lipate kuwa
                      Owa apate mkeo, aambiwe meolewa
                      Owa kama waowao, moyo usiliye ngowa
                      Owa ujuwe kukuwa, mupendane na mkeo


BY AHMAD NASSIR FROM THE BOOK "MALENGA WA MVITA"


KUMBUKA
Hapana chako na changu, hivi vyote ni shirika

Mimi wako wewe wangu, kipi cha kugawanyika?

Kuungana walimwengu, ni neno lenye mwafaka,

 Linapendeza kwa Mungu, pamoja na malaika

Kukwambia nenda zangu, sithubutu kutamka,

 Na kadhalika mwenzangu, sidhani hilo wataka,

 "Hutaki" lina uchungu, na kwangu ni kadhalika.

 Dunia ina mizungu, nikwambiayo kumbuka.

 Remember It's neither yours nor mine,

all these are to be shared. I'm yours, you mine

, what's there to divide Coming together for mortals,

 that's the thing to do, In God's eyes it is pleasing,

and so with His angels.

To tell you I am going away, that I dare not say,

Neither you my companion, I think not that's what you want,

 To say "no" is bitter to you, and so it is to me

 The world is full of complications, that's what I say to you, remember. By Shaban bin Robert From

"Anthology of Swahili Poetry, Kusanyiko La Mashairi" by Ali A. Jahadhmy, African Writers Series, Heinemann.

     UZURI                                         Beauty
Uzuri Wa uso mwema,                  beauty of the face is attractive   
Unavuta vitu vyote,                       It draws to it all objects
vya macho ya kutazama,               With eyes to perceive,
unapopita po pote,                         Whichever it passes by,
Walakini kwa kupima uzuri wa,      but in comparison the beauty of
 tabia bora                                      character is best                 
                           
uzuri kupita kupita huu                   the beauty that outshines          
katika hii dunia                               In the universe                    
nawapa msisahau,                         I give you to hold fast,           
Ni nzuri Wa tabia                           It's the beauty of character       
Ni johari ya heshima duniani          One's honour is the only true jewel     
kila mara                                        in the world.
                            
tazama! dunia nzima                     Look! the whole world 
Huendeshwa na  tabia                  is conducted by by character,        
kama tabia Si njema,                     If the character is weak,
si ajabu kupotea.                          No doubt one will stray,
Kitu kilicho adhama ni tabia          Lucky is the one with character and,
na busara                                     wisdom.


Kwa kutengeza tabia,                   Speaking of character,
Rai yangu na fikira                        My idea and conviction are 
Vyuo katika dunia                         That places of learning in this  work
Vingekuwa na tijara                       Would render a laudable service
kwa kuwa nayo daima sera na      To insist upon discipline in and unfailly
 tabia bora.                                      courtesy

MVUVI

               Ndimi mvuvi halisi, Kulla vuvi nalijuwa
               Nivuwaye mikambisi, na papa wenye khatuwa
               Wala sivui vingisi, mishipi haisumbuwa
                         Nimekwambiya elewa

                                 2
               Sivuwi bahari ndogo, hatia nanga fuoni
               Havisimbika vigogo, vilivyozama majini
               Na wala Sivuwi ngogo, vidagaa na mbinini 
                           Siwavui asilani

                                 3
                                    
               Jabali hulijilisi, jishipi nikalitupa
               Haotea mifulusi, na nguru na mijipapa
               Si kasikazi Si kusi, khabari yangu nakupa 
                           Wala sivui kwa pupa

                                 4
                                    
              Na nivuapo malema, huingia ndani ndani
              Maji yangu ni ya pima, thalatha u thalathini
              Na ndiyo ninayozama, lema halibwaga tini 
                           Uliza mimi n'nani?

                                 5
                                    
             Na nivuapo maziyo, mavuvi ya kizamani
             Kwa hino hali niliyo, huvua kwa kutamani
             Hatafuta kiteweyo, cha wali mwema kombeni
                         Haandaa siniani

                                 6
             Ela uvuvi wa juya, kuvua siutamani 
             Sababuye 'takwambiya, ufahamiwe mwendani
             Ni kwambakwe huingiya, samaki waso thamani
                        Kama wewe mwafulani

                                 7
            Ni Kuu yangu bahari,elewa sana elewa            
            Huko hakwendi vihori,wala vyenu vimashuwa       
            Shoti nahodha hodari,kisha ende kwa ngalawa     
                        Na milango kuijuwa      
From Malenga wa Mvita by Ahmad Nassir
NYONDA
                                       1
                     Laaziza, muhibu liakirami
                     Pulikiza, nikupe wangu usemi
                     Menikaza, sipati kunena yomi

                                
                                      2
                     Wangu moyo, una jambo uupete
                     Wayowayo, liniveme kana Pete
                     Zangu mbio, nataraji tuwe sote

                                       3
                     Si moyoni, jaraha kulla mahali
                     Na matoni, sipati lepe silali
                     Masikini, napenda kitu ki ghali

                                        4
                     U kizani, moyo umefitamana
                     Na imani, viumbe huoneana
                     Swamahani, sinifanyiye khiyana

                                        5
                     Hikuwaza, iwapo nala huata
                     Miujiza, muda hilala huota
                     Niuguza, maradhi yalonipata

                                       6
                     Yomi bui, mwenziyo nimedangana
                     Hunijui, moyoni ninavyoona
                     Sinwi shai, nisikutaje kwa jina

                                      7
                     Yomi toba, mwenziyo ni taabani
                     Kwa mahaba, yalonivaa moyoni
                     Hunikaba, wala utungu sioni.

From Malenga wa Mvita by Ahmad Nassir
UJANA
                       

                                       1
                     Ewe ulo na busara, fikiri bibi na bwana,
                     Fikiri lilo tohara, na lile lilo dhamana,
                     Pia fikiri izara, wewe nayo kukutana,
                     Sihadawe na ujana, na ujana una mwisho

                                       2
                     Ujana ni jambo bora, ameupamba Rabana, 
                     Tena umetia fora, ulitendalo hufana,
                     Basi usiwe mkora, akiba uweke sana,
                     Sihadawe na ujana na ujana una mwisho.

                                       3
                     Kuweka jambo dharura, jihimu kuweka mwana,
                     Siyo pato kulipura, kwa usiku na mchana,
                     Ukitoweka ujura, elewa umekubana,
                     Sihadawe na ujana, na ujana una mwisho.
                   
                                       4
                     Hebu zituze fikara, ushike ninayonena, 
                     Akiba kwako sitam, ukiijaza shehena,
                     Na pia huwa kafara, na shida isije tena,
                     Sihadawe na ujana, na ujana una mwisho.
                    
                                        5
                     Ufanyapo biashara, ewe kijana kazana, 
                     Ujihimu kila mara, na akiba kushikana,
                     Uzee ukikudara, uwe umetulizana,
                     Sihadawe na ujana, na ujana una mwisho.
                     
                                        6
                     Kwa kweli Si masihara, mwanadamu hutatana,
                     Kukosa kitu ni dhara, jina hutojulikana,
                     Au uitwe fukara, mzee mja wa lana,
                     Sihadawe na ujana, na ujana una mwisho.
                     
                                         7
                     Ujana hukuzingira, ukangiwa na fitina,
                     Ukafikwa na majira, uzee ukawa jina,
                     Basi na wako ujira. wa kazi weka hazina,
                     Sihadawe na ujana, na ujana una mwisho
..By Said. kizere
WAHAKA

                        Rabbi Mola Mswifika,
                        Muumba na kuumbuwa
                        swifazo mekamilika,
                        hakuna lilopunguwa 
                        Rabbi nondosha wahaka
                        mahaba yataniuwa,

                        Ya Ilahi Mtajika
                        nakuomba we Moliwa
                        Wahadahu Ia shirika 
                        nguvu zisomithiliwa
                        Rabbi nondosha wahaka 
                        mahaba yataniuwa,

                        Enzi ni yako hakika
                        ni yupi tena wa kuwwa?
                        Bwana ulotakasika
                        na usiye shabihika. 
                        Rabbi nondosha wahaka 
                        mahaba yataniuwa.

                        Aridhi umetandika 
                        mbingu na mwezi na juwa
                        na nyota zilopambika 
                        usiku unapokuwa.
                        Rabbi nondosha wahaka
                        mahaba yataniuwa

                        Usiye na ushirika 
                        kutaka kushauriwa
                        waona usooneka 
                        tangu isotanguliwa.
                        Rabbi nondosha wahaka
                        mahaba yataniuwa.

FIKIRI
I
                                  1.
              Fikiri zako fikira, ufikiri kila tendo,
              Fikiri lilo na dhara, ufikiri na Ia pendo,
              Fikiri lilo tohara, ufikiri na uvundo,
              Fikiri fikiri tendo, Ia amani na busara.
                       
                                2.
              Fikiri sana dunia, ina mzuri mdundo, 
              Fikiri sana yalia, ina mzuri mshindo,
              Fikiri mwisho sikia, unapasuka msondo, 
              Fikiri fikiri tendo, Ia amani na busara.
                        
                                    3.
              Fikiri ndugu dahari, dunia ina mikondo, 
              Fikiri hizi habari, ni kushuka na mipando,
              Fikiri dunia pori, chaka Ia uwi na kondo,
              Fikiri fikiri tendo, la amani na busara.

                                   4.  
              Fikiri dau muundi, muunda dau muundo, 
              Fikiri lende kilindi, daule likaze mwendo, 
              Fikiri dau halendi, nguvu za dau upondo,

                                     5.  
              Fikiri ninakariri, usiwe mwenye mfundo,
              Fikiri tena fikiri, kila ovu liwe kando,
              Fikiri mno hatari, ukiwa na mbovu nyendo,
              Fikiri fikiri tendo, Ia amani na busara.
By Abdalla Kizere

Kiburi

                               1.
              Ikiwa umeumbika, kwa uzuri ulotimu,
              Au umetajirika, pesa nyingi tasilimu,
              Kiburi ukajivika. vazi lenye uhasimu,
              Kiburi kwa mwanadamu, Si kitu chema kiburi.

                               2.  
              Mola mwenye madaraka, ndiye mwenye kurehemu
              Kukupa na kukupoka, ndiyo kaziye Karimu.
              Humpa anayetaka, jamii ya wanadamu,
              Kiburi kwa mwandamu, Si kitu chema kiburi.

                                  3. 
              Waringa na hekaheka, wenzio kuwashutumu,
              Kwa kuziona fanaka, Mola alokukirimu,
              Wazimu ukakushika, ukawa huna fahamu,
              Kiburi kwa mwanadamu, Si kitu chema kiburi.

                                4. 
              Kwanza ziondowe taka, nduguzo kuwahasimu.
              Usiipige mipaka, wazazi kuwalaumu,
              Zinduka ndugu zinduka, wewe Sio marehemu,
              Kiburi kwa mwanadamu, Si kitu chema kiburi.

                               5.  
              Kiburi ni mbaya shuka, kuivaa ni haramu.
              Yapendeza kukumbuka, msemo wenye kudumu,
              Mpanda ngazi hushuka, alacho kikawa sumu.
              Kiburi kwa mwanadamu, Si kitu chema kiburi.

                               6. 
              Na mwanadamu yataka, bongo lake kuhitimu.
              Wazee walotamka, maneno yalo muhimu,
              Kulonama huinuka, laini huwa kigumu.
              Kiburi kwa mwanadamu, Si kitu chema kiburi.

                                7. 
              Kituoni nimefika, nazikomesha nudhumu,
              Yatosha naloandika, kiburi ni jahanamu,
              Ashikae atashika, asoshika Si lazimu,
              Kiburi kwa mwanadamu, Si kitu chema kiburi.
By - ABDALA KIZERE

NAWAU'ZA WASWAHILI

                                    1
                                     
                   Risala enuka hima, sikae 'kataghafali
                   N'na jambo 'takutuma, ubalegheshe suali
                   Nipate jawabu njema, yenye amani na kweli
                   Nauliza Kiswahili, ni lugha ya watu gani?


                                    2
                   Lugha nyingi duniyani, zatamkwa mbalimbali
                   Na zote ulimwenguni, zina wenyewe mahali
                   Si Hindi Si Uzunguni, mewaumbia Jalali
                   Jee hichi Kiswahili, ni lugha ya watu gani ?


                                    3
                   Wakamba wana kikwao, lugha yao ya asili
                   Na Wazungu piya nao, wana zao mbalimbali
                   Na Wameru wana yao, wengine ni Wasomali
                   Jee hichi Kiswahili, ni lugha ya watu gani ?


                                    4
                   Wahindi wana Kihindi, kwa kabila mbalimbali
                   Na Wanandi ni Kinandi, ndizo zao akuwali
                   Wengine ni Wakilindi, wana yao ya asili
                   Jee hichi Kiswahili, ni lugha ya watu gani?


                                    5
                   Kuuliza Si ujinga, musinifanye jahili
                   Nautafuta niuwanga, tuzinduwane akili
                   Ndipo shairi hatunga, kubaleghesha suali
                   Nielezwe Kiswahili, ni lugha ya watu gani?


                                    6
                  Mara nyingi husikiya, kuwa hichi Kiswahili
                  Hakina mtu mmoya, ambaye ni chake kweli
                  Na wengine huteteya, kina wenyewe asili
                  Ndipo ha'mba Kiswahili, ni lugha ya watu gani?


                                   
                                     7
                 Masai ana kikwao, lugha ya tangu azali
                 Na Mahara wana yao, wengine Mashelisheli
                 Na Waluo lugha zao, Si sawa na Maragoli
                 Jee hichi Kiswahili, ni lugha ya watu gani?

                                    8
                 Na jamii wengineo, wana lugha mbalimbali
                 Na kujuwa ya wenzao, ni kujifunza ya pili
                 Lakini wana na zao, lugha za tangu asili
                 Jee hichi Kiswahili, ni lugha ya watu gani?

                                    9
                 Sasa ambalo nataka, kwa wenye kujuwa hili
                 Wa Kenya na Tanganyika, na walo kulla mahali
                 Nipani ilo hakika, tubalegheshe ukweli
                 Nambiyani Kiswahili, ni lugha ya watu gani?

                                   10
                 Miye mefikiri mno, kuamuwa jambo hili
                 Na huona lugha hino, lazima ina asili
                 Kwa sababu kulla neno, lina mwanzo wa usuli
                 Ndipo ha'mba Kiswahili, hi lugha ya watu gani?

                                   11
                 Na iwapo hivi sivyo, niliyyoamuwa hili
                 Nionyeshani viliyyo, mubainishe ukweli
                 Nijuwe ambavyo ndivyo, tutowane mushkili
                 Kifunuke Kiswahili, ni lugha ya watu gani?

                                   12
                 Na iwapo atakuja, wa kunijibu suali
                 Namuomba jambo moja, twambiyane kiakili
                 Tusionyane miuja, jambo nisilo kubali
                 N'anambiye Kiswahili, ni lugha ya watu gani?

                                   13
                 Tamati ndio akhiri, na jina langu ni hili
                 Ahmadi wa Nasiri, na Bhalo ndilo Ia pili
                 Mtungaji mashuhuri, mpenda penye ukweli
                 Nambiyani Kiswahili, ni lugha ya watu gani?

By Ahmad Nassir from Malenga wa Mvita