from [link|http://www.humnet.ucla.edu/humnet/aflang/swahili/SwahiliPoetryWebPage/PoetryDocs-HTML/Shaza-TJH.html| Here.]


[BTW- do their lips move to each >\ufffd< as the slides change?
Does each image sorta clunk into place, all intermixed with golf-swing data? Allus wondered how that worked, at the Top of the Bizness Brain Pyramid.]


Shaza Ahmed Sheikh Nabhany (1985)\tThe Oyster Shell (TJH translation)

1. Wazami wa uziwani, wa mawimbi na miuya\t1. Divers of the ocean, you dive, Through distant and foaming waves
Muzamao zizimbwini, mahodari wa koweya\tDiving in unsounded depths, You expert, strong swimmers
Kwa kuwama na kwa t'ani, kubenuwa zenu ziya\tSwimming backstroke, swimming crawl, Strengthening each joint
Nauza changu kimiya, kichatiya chashikani\tI ask you, when I throw my net, What will it catch?

2. Nayuwa siwatanizi, hamugagwi yaweleya\t2. I know you will not hesitate, You understand, defying defeat
Yafumbuweni wayuzi, mutongowe moyamoya\tOpen this up, knowing ones, Unstringing my clues one by one
Kula aliye mfuzi, na nyundo huitumiya\tAnyone who is a smith, And who must use a hammer
Kibafute natatiya, tatuwani watatuzi\tHere, I have close a riddle, Let you experts untangle it

3. Welevu kitatuweni, munambiye nielewe\t3. Experts, figure it out, Tell me (the meaning of the riddle) so I mayunderstand
Kuna kiwingu yangani, mvua itandaziwe\tIn the sky there is a cloud, May its rain spread far and wide
P'epo husukuma pwani, nyunyu ni kama zijiwe\tThe wind propels it along the coast, its raindrops like pebbles
Kwa kasi zitandushiwe, na kushukiya maini\tSpread quickly, And descend into the sea.

4. Hupenya ndani kwa ndani, ya uk'eto wa bahari\t4. It penetrates deep within, Into thehe heart of the ocean
Kama uzi sindanoni, upote pota hariri\tLike thread through a needle, A single thread, soft as silk
Yakashukiya shazani, na kufumba lulu duri\tDescending into the shell which, Enfolds and forms the precious pearl
Haipitwi na johari, nda k'uu mno thamani\tIt has no rivel, It is a gem of great value.

5. Shaza lengetwe mtini, zizimbwini mwa nyongoza\t5. The shell is on a tree, In the depths of the ocean
Haupo kitalaleni, haupati muwangaza\tThe tree is not out in the open, It gets no light
T'andu hazionekani, yapokuwa zatepuza\tIts branches are invisible, Even though they have grown
Si miti ya miujiza, yenezee duniyani\tIt is not a miracle tree , On the earth there are plenty

6. Lulu ikikamilika, yuu la mti shazani\t6. When it is a completed pearl, On the tree in the shell
Dondole huk'ek'etuka, ikatoka kiotoni\tIts shell cracks open, It emerges from its nest
Wimbini huisumbika, ikegesha ufuoni\tInto the waves it thrusts, Landing on the beach
Yafumapo mkwambani, kitoche humemetuka\tLeaving seaweed behind, The waters abate, the pearl glitters

7. Miangaza na miandi, eneo hung'eng'ezuka\t7. Rays of light, luminescence, The whole area glows
Huvuta kila mwenendi, kijopo hukusanyika\tAttracting everyone who passes, They gather and stare in small groups
Aipatao ni kandi, kashani akiiweka\tValuable to the one who gets it, He keeps it in a chest
Wengi wametajirika, kwa ng'andu na tu chandi\tMany have become richer, With gold and lots of silver

8. T'at'azi zingatatiya, mafundi zitatuweni\t8. Ponder this you experts, reveal the mystery
Rajai naregezeya, kishada changu bwagani\tI am releasing this kite, Into the air, aloft
Nitawapa mwingi mwiya, fundo hili funguwani\tI give you mucgh time, Open this knot
Niwapimiye kwa mani, tuzo t'unu na hidaya\tLet me weigh it for you, The reward is a rare gift

9. Narejea kituoni, nanga zangu nazitiya\t9. I'm going back home to rest, I'm throwing down my anchor
Moya t'ezi na omoni, sambo ipate tuliya\tAn anchor in front and rear, So that the boat is balanced
Nahudha ni Nabahani, bahari alozoweya\tThe captain is Nabhany, He knows the ocean, he braves
Hachi shuu na miuya, wala wimbi uziwani\tHe fears neither sudden nor foaming waves, And no other waves in the sea.