From the Sayid, SYL and now?

[Haaraahur.]

The Dervish struggle

 

All though all visible signs of his controversial movement disappeared with his death, the Mullah lives on in his the people’s memory through his rousing poetry which is forever cited and which, along with his sizable correspondence, represents a significant body of anti-colonial ideological thought.

 

The Mullah never wanting words in defence of his cause,

provided his own epitaph:

 

Even I have failed to get a flag that would be flown for me

between here and Nairobi.

 

Have I failed to get honour in Paradise, and

victories as well as defeats [in war]?

 

Even I have failed to get the Iido [region],

luxuriant with grass, and the Nogal [for my camels] to graze,

 

Have I failed to get a riding beast to mount and raid to war with success?

 

Even I have failed to get to get people who would show me sympathy and

acknowledge their kinship with me,

 

 

Have I failed to get God’s mercy

and [the gift] to see the prophets face?

 

It is important that the to take lines 1 and 6 together, as they so eloquently reveal the Mullah’s twin concerns thought the long Dervish struggle, God and Country, or freedom and faith in Allah.

 

In 1960, after the Somali Youth League successfully led northern and southern Somalis to independence and immediate union, an inspired poet, looking back to decades of strenuous Somali resistance to colonial rule, sang the following stiiring lines:

 

O Lord, who could convey gracious salutations to the great Dervish,

Who may tell him that his land is free at last.

 

 

Source:

Divine Madness

Mohammed Abdulle Hassan

(1856-1920)

By Abdi Sheikh Abdi

[Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar]

Salaan...

 

All though all visible signs of his controversial movement disappeared with his death

Controversial? Abaayadiis, haduu kii Soomaali u halgamay dadka qaarkood balaayo ka daba wadaan, Soomaali ummad inkaaran lagu sheegi jiray waxaa ka jiro.

 

Maxee dhihi jireen markuu Cabdullaahi Ciise dowladii ugu horeysay qabtay? Governo Sac... Maxee ugu yeeri jireen markuu Aadan Cadde madaxweynaha ugu horeeya noqday? Too baari and too laidback... C/rashiid ayaa imaaday? Too wadaad, too suufi and not helping us (his fellow clan members)...

 

Soomaali intii meel loo raaci lahaa, dabeesha in la raaco ayaa dhaanto mar marka qaarkood.

[Haaraahur.]

Miskiin

 

Tartiib waxba ha sii raac raacin dadka warkood.

Dadkii horey way tageen marka su'aasha la iska rabo wa kuwa badildoona.