Salaan Carrabey
Salaan Mahamud Hirsi (Somali: Salaan Maxamuud Xirsi) better known as Salaan Carrabey was a famous poet from the Habr Je'lo sub clan of the Isaaq.[1]
Salaan Mahamud Hirsi Salaan Carrabey | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1864 |
| Died | 1943 British Somaliland (now Somaliland) |
| Nationality | Somali |
| Occupation | Poet |
Poetry
Salaan's poetry is very rich and he was a notable figure and participant in the most famous chain of Somali poetry known as the Guba series in which legendary Isaaq and Darood poets traded boastful and sharp verses. Somali scholar and linguist Musa Haji Ismail Galal recorded many of his works.[2]
Mayn
Salaan had left Burao for several months after and upon his return the locals asked him to recite something. His response was this poem Mine
Haddaad dhimato geeridu mar bay nolosha dhaantaaye |
When you die sometimes death is better than life |
| —Salaan Carrabey Mayn[3] |
War Toolow Colka Jooja
Following heavy infighting between subclans of the Habr Je'lo, a famous Sheikh named Fiqi Yusuf, father of the famous poet and military leader Kite Fiqi, attempted to mediate by reciting verses of the Qur'an reminding the warring parties of their duties in Islam. One of the men responded by striking the Qur'an out of Yusuf's hands and Salaan stepped forward telling the Sheikh that he spoke a language that these men understood (poetry).[4]
Labadiinatan curee |
For you two clans |
| —Salaan Carrabey Waar Tolow Colka Jooja![5] |
Haadaaqsi
Following a string of Habr Je'lo victories over the Dhulbahante in which they had captured many wells and reduced their opponents to a pitiful state, Salaan Carrabey composed this boastful poem called Haadaaqsi. The most important victory was the capture of the famous well of Caynabo. Hadaaqsi forms part of the Guba series.[2]
Goortaan hadhkaba kaa eryaad hawd u cararteene |
When I had chased you from the region where there is shade, you ran away to the Hawd |
| —Salaan Carrabey Haadaaqsi[2] |
Tolnimo Wa Dugsiye
Carrabey in his poem Tolnimo Wa Dugsiye (Kinship is a Shelter) notes many internal conflicts some of the decades prior and others that were ongoing. He preaches that kinship is in fact a bond and source of strength that should be valued. One such conflict he notes was fighting between kindred sections of the Habr Yunis. The powerful Sultan Hersi Aman caused much devastation when he attempted to become even more absolutist, eventually dying at the hands of his own clan in battle.[6]
Reer Sugulle dakhar wiilyar baw sidey daliishiiye |
The bitterness of the Reer Sugule was brought by a head wound from a young boy |
| —Salaan Carrabey Tolnimo Wa Dugsiye[7] |
References
- Orwin, Martin; Axmed, Rashiid (2009). War and Peace: An anthology of Somali literature Suugaanta Nabadda iyo Colaadda. Progressio. ISBN 9781852873295.
- Galaal, Musa H.I; Andrzejewski, B.W (1963). Journal of African languages A Somali Poetic Combat - III. Macmillan. p. 190-205.
- War and Peace: An Anthology of Somali literature, p.163
- Orwin, Martin; Axmed, Rashiid (2009). War and Peace: An anthology of Somali literature Suugaanta Nabadda iyo Colaadda. Progressio. p. 163. ISBN 9781852873295.
- War and Peace: An Anthology of Somali literature, p.164-165
- Orwin, Martin; Axmed, Rashiid (2009). War and Peace: An anthology of Somali literature Suugaanta Nabadda iyo Colaadda. Progressio. p. 169. ISBN 9781852873295.
- War and Peace: An Anthology of Somali literature, p.169