Hibada Eebbe iyo Abwaan Ganey

Wednesday, 30 December 2009

By:Rhoda A. Rageh (Farshaxan.com) Hassan H. Abdullahi (Xasan Ganay) is a brilliant bard equal only to Shakespeare in eloquence and natural gift. He is equal only to Milton in his use of oxymoron and surpasses the sensitivity of Wordsworth. His superior intelligence enables him to draw from a vast reservoir of vocabulary, which is why his poetry touches the deepest feelings of humanity. His precise expression does not boast the gift of western education. He does not dwell on his knowledge of Greek and Latin nor draws from genres and conventions of ancient role models; rather he relies only on the basin of God given natural talent. He does not write or read. Therefore, his beautiful expression needs to be preserved for the longevity of the Somali language and cultivation of culture as well as to reserve his rightful place in history. A poet of his kind should not be forgotten. His western counterparts rest on their laurels as poet laureate. He is a Somali poet and like many before him, his poetry will be remembered only in fragments, which without his sensitivity will be rendered mere utterances unless something is done now. He is not only a Poet; he is also a Play-write who has written plays about every moment of our recent history. I have discovered the Poet few years ago quite by accident when in a stretch of boredom, I straightened a discarded, creased paper. Although the occasion of the poem I am about to discuss is sad, my encounter with the Poet was pleasurable and has since exhilarated my aesthetic sensibilities. The Poet eulogizes a mortal whose service he has hallowed. The name of the poem is Garab Daar. His strong intuition observes and enshrines the intuition of the deceased who he describes as one who had cultivated intuition through fine observation. Intuitive feelings and keen observation are as entangled here as the feelings of the poet and deceased. I divided the poem into stanza and in my own observation will try to point out the turns in the poem. The first stanza captures the Poet's sense of disbelief on the demise of his friend thus still keeps him alive at least in deed. Godka Hanadkii lagu riday Gurmadkiisi Aaskiyo Gogoshii Tacsiyihiyo Gabayda Baroorta ah Rag Intay gundhinayeen, Gurigayga kama bixin. Mana gabin halkaygee, Waxaa aan la gaabshee, Gadaal ii ridaa jirey, Geeddigaasi waa kow Guuraaoo hadana raray Goashiyo iyo xasuus ba leh. The Poet's physical absence from the services and wakes of the deceased is juxtaposed with his powerful feelings of loss. While some focus on the mundane rituals mourning the deceased; the Poet withdraws into himself and searches for his own sense of loss. Therefore, his absence is a presence in which he immortalizes the man in the grave. While some dig deep into the earth to hide his corpse, the Poet digs deep into his memory and brings out the immortal soul. The first stanza ends with a refrain by which the poet makes many turns. Memory embraces joyful past with painful present. He recollects the dark days of Siad Barre and their mission together. Gulufkiyo colaadii Innagiyo gumaystii, Gobanimo u dirirkii Raggii guuro bahallaha, Gaadmiyo badheedhkaba U guntaday dalkoodiyo, Inta goalka dhalisiyo, Gaashaan biruu haa Gocoshaiyo xasuusba leh The Poet leaves his feeling unattended like the hanging refrain that runs through the poem; hence epitomizes the loss of his friend and the loneliness of his feelings. The deceased national hero was a shield (one of many metaphors to characterize him) in the battle against Siad Barre. Characterization which continue to intensify in the following lines serves both as a tribute to his friend's courage and chides the temerity of his rivals. Wuxu gaadh ka hayn jirey, Danta Guud xilkeedoo. Waligii nin Guurtiya Gaf wuxuu ku raacaa Iyo wuu gardaran yahay Guubaabideediyo, Baaqiyo Guhaadiyo In la geeddi geliyiyo Hadba geesta dhawrta leh, In uu gudin u daabiyo In uu dhacan u gooyee, Gocor iyo Rifaa jira Raadkiisa gurayoo, Garbo la hadhsanaayiyo, Gebi baa dullamoo, Waxa dhacay gunweyniyo Geedkii xabriireed. Geesaaska fiintiyo Guumaysta taahdiyo Galowga iyo xiidkii Waxay giida la hayeen Danab lagu goblamayoo Galbaday ogaadeen Garabkii dugsoona . Gabayoox lal badaniyo Gabadanaa ka socotee Goobtii qaboobaa!! Markaan gudub jaleecaba Galiilyaa I qabatee, Geeridu xumaydee. Goblan talo aduunyooy Mrkuu geesi hoydaba Garshaaa u oydee Siduu gabaygi Cali yidhi, Waxan ahay geddiisee, Intuu gooni u laha Farta waxa ku godi jiray Inta gowska xeershiyo, Gurtan raaca liitee, Wuxu gudiyo Moxamuud Wuxuu galay intii ogi Gocoshiyo xusuusba leh. Inta kale ka akhri