This article presents two Somali poems in the jiifto metre: Fad Galbeed 'Evening Cloud' b... more This article presents two Somali poems in the jiifto metre: Fad Galbeed 'Evening Cloud' by Maxamed Xaashi Dhamac 'Gaarriye' and Xabagbarsheed 'Royal Jelly' by Xasan Daahir Ismaaciil 'Weedhsame'. Each is recognized as a fine example of modern Somali poetry, and this article seeks to understand some of the reasons why this is so. The particular features considered are the use of address and apostrophe in Fad Galbeed and how this relates to the lyric present in each of the two parts of the poem. In Xabagbarsheed, on the other hand, I concentrate on sound-patterning looking at two sections in particular, one which displays assonance and another which displays interesting crafting of sound features which, it is suggested, foreground the sound of the alliterating consonant in a particularly appealing way. The discussion is centred on the poems themselves making detailed reference to the language used and how this contributes to the features and effects disc...
This article presents three Somali religious poems which are part of the general tradition of the... more This article presents three Somali religious poems which are part of the general tradition of the Qaadiriyya Sufi tariqa in the eastern Horn of Africa. Two are very firmly based in that tradition, one is an intercessory poem to Cabdulqaadir al-Jiilaani the other an intercessory poem to Faadumo. The third is a praise to the Prophet which I argue is also intercessory, but less obviously so. The poems are analysed with a view to describing and accounting for the use of certain aspects of language and style. The interplay with the Arabic language and with Arabic formal stylistic characteristics will be discussed, an important feature given the importance of Arabic in Islam. Included in this will be the use of the abecedarius acrostic form as well as hints at the use of Arabic metrical forms. The syntactic constructions used and repetition of these in particular ways will also be discussed and all of these matters couched within an argument which shows that they reflect the illocutionary...
Alliteration is a very important compulsory stylistic aspect of Somali poetry along with metrical... more Alliteration is a very important compulsory stylistic aspect of Somali poetry along with metrical structure. It is always word initial and the same sound must be sustained throughout the whole poem in every line or halfline according the metrical structure. This chapter presents the principles of how this system works: which sounds alliterate with each other, the interaction with the metrical structure of the line and how the alliterative sound is chosen. It also considers the creative use of alliteration in some example poems, looking at the iconic use of alliteration and also the way in which the principles of alliteration can be used for particular effects.
Similarities between language and music have tantalised theorists over many years. The papers of ... more Similarities between language and music have tantalised theorists over many years. The papers of this book explore the case for leaving behind static views of language and music in which they are formally describable independently of their practice, turning instead to the view that both are intrinsically mechanisms for interaction. This is a stance which enables parallelisms between the two to be drawn commensurate with emergent cognitive neuroscience research for music of all types and from all cultures. The papers, written by leading figures in linguistics, music, psycholinguistics, include discussions of how to approach the challenge of modelling structural growth and content for language and music, how to develop and evaluate experimental methodologies for such models, in-depth studies of Indian raga performer-accompanist-audience interactions, Somali sung poetry recitations, and ethnographic studies of language and music interactions.
... Alternative Location: http://www.redsea-online.com/books. Abstract. Introduced and edited by ... more ... Alternative Location: http://www.redsea-online.com/books. Abstract. Introduced and edited by Rashiid Sheekh Cabdillaahi 'Gadhweyne'; Collected by Axmed Aw Geeddi and Ismaaciil AwAadan. With English translation by Martin Orwin with help from Maxamed Xasan 'Alto'. ...
Brill’s Journal of Afroasiatic Languages and Linguistics, 2019
It has generally been assumed that there has not been any direct influence on Somali poetic metre... more It has generally been assumed that there has not been any direct influence on Somali poetic metre from the metrical forms of Arabic. For the most part, this certainly seems to hold, but this article presents a poem which is of a type on which, it is argued, Arabic influence can be seen. The poem, ‘Taaj Awliyo’ by Sheekh Caaqib Cabdullaahi Jaamac (ca. 1922-?) is presented in detail and, although it has been described as being in the jiifto metre, it is demonstrated that this description of the metre is incorrect. It actually follows a previously undocumented metrical pattern which is the equivalent of four maqalaay warlaay lines. The article also shows how the metrical pattern can be seen as a Somalized analogue of the Arabic kāmil metre in its majzūʾ or dimetric form. Evidence is given both from comparison of the line structure itself and from brief comments on reports of what the poet himself had said. The poem considered in detail is part of the Qaadiriya Sufi tradition in which p...
This article presents an overview of the different ideas presented in the literature on the geera... more This article presents an overview of the different ideas presented in the literature on the geeraar metre in Somali poetry. Following this a proposal is made which, it is suggested, provides a more accurate view of the behaviour of this metre and the way it displays the notion of ‘extrametricality’. This latter issue was, albeit in different words, first introduced in Maxamed Xaashi Dhamac ‘Gaarriye’ (1976a). An analysis of a famous geeraar poem will show how the ideas work in practice.
... Phonation in Somali phonology. Orwin, Martin (1993) 'Phonation in Somali phonology.' ... more ... Phonation in Somali phonology. Orwin, Martin (1993) 'Phonation in Somali phonology.' In: Abdi, Mohamed, (ed.), Anthropologie Somalienne (Proceedings of the 2eme Colloque des Etudes Somaliennes. ... Authors/Creators: Orwin, Martin. Editors: Abdi, Mohamed. ...
Journal of African Languages and Literatures, 2020
This article presents two Somali poems in the jiifto metre: Fad Galbeed ‘Evening Cloud’ by Maxame... more This article presents two Somali poems in the jiifto metre: Fad Galbeed ‘Evening Cloud’ by Maxamed Xaashi Dhamac ‘Gaarriye’ and Xabagbarsheed ‘Royal Jelly’ by Xasan Daahir Ismaaciil ‘Weedhsame’. Each is recognized as a fine example of modern Somali poetry, and this article seeks to understand some of the reasons why this is so. The particular features considered are the use of address and apostrophe in Fad Galbeed and how this relates to the lyric present in each of the two parts of the poem. In Xabagbarsheed, on the other hand, I concentrate on sound-patterning looking at two sections in particular, one which displays assonance and another which displays interesting crafting of sound features which, it is suggested, foreground the sound of the alliterating consonant in a particularly appealing way. The discussion is centred on the poems themselves making detailed reference to the language used and how this contributes to the features and effects discussed. It is thus on the one hand a contribution to the study of the craft and aesthetics in Somali poetry. On the other hand, the manifestations of these aesthetic aspects coincide with what is presented in work on lyric. The article makes reference to this and, without going into detail on the theoretical aspects, seeks to begin to make a contribution from Somali poetry to this field of literary study.
Papers from the Linguistics Workshop: Somali Language and Literature at the Hargeysa Cultural Centre, December 2015., 2018
This article presents an overview of the geeraar metre in Somali poetry and looks at the notion o... more This article presents an overview of the geeraar metre in Somali poetry and looks at the notion of ‘extrametricality’ in the line. An analysis of a famous geeraar poem shows how the ideas work in practice.
This article presents two Somali poems in the jiifto metre: Fad Galbeed 'Evening Cloud' b... more This article presents two Somali poems in the jiifto metre: Fad Galbeed 'Evening Cloud' by Maxamed Xaashi Dhamac 'Gaarriye' and Xabagbarsheed 'Royal Jelly' by Xasan Daahir Ismaaciil 'Weedhsame'. Each is recognized as a fine example of modern Somali poetry, and this article seeks to understand some of the reasons why this is so. The particular features considered are the use of address and apostrophe in Fad Galbeed and how this relates to the lyric present in each of the two parts of the poem. In Xabagbarsheed, on the other hand, I concentrate on sound-patterning looking at two sections in particular, one which displays assonance and another which displays interesting crafting of sound features which, it is suggested, foreground the sound of the alliterating consonant in a particularly appealing way. The discussion is centred on the poems themselves making detailed reference to the language used and how this contributes to the features and effects disc...
This article presents three Somali religious poems which are part of the general tradition of the... more This article presents three Somali religious poems which are part of the general tradition of the Qaadiriyya Sufi tariqa in the eastern Horn of Africa. Two are very firmly based in that tradition, one is an intercessory poem to Cabdulqaadir al-Jiilaani the other an intercessory poem to Faadumo. The third is a praise to the Prophet which I argue is also intercessory, but less obviously so. The poems are analysed with a view to describing and accounting for the use of certain aspects of language and style. The interplay with the Arabic language and with Arabic formal stylistic characteristics will be discussed, an important feature given the importance of Arabic in Islam. Included in this will be the use of the abecedarius acrostic form as well as hints at the use of Arabic metrical forms. The syntactic constructions used and repetition of these in particular ways will also be discussed and all of these matters couched within an argument which shows that they reflect the illocutionary...
Alliteration is a very important compulsory stylistic aspect of Somali poetry along with metrical... more Alliteration is a very important compulsory stylistic aspect of Somali poetry along with metrical structure. It is always word initial and the same sound must be sustained throughout the whole poem in every line or halfline according the metrical structure. This chapter presents the principles of how this system works: which sounds alliterate with each other, the interaction with the metrical structure of the line and how the alliterative sound is chosen. It also considers the creative use of alliteration in some example poems, looking at the iconic use of alliteration and also the way in which the principles of alliteration can be used for particular effects.
Similarities between language and music have tantalised theorists over many years. The papers of ... more Similarities between language and music have tantalised theorists over many years. The papers of this book explore the case for leaving behind static views of language and music in which they are formally describable independently of their practice, turning instead to the view that both are intrinsically mechanisms for interaction. This is a stance which enables parallelisms between the two to be drawn commensurate with emergent cognitive neuroscience research for music of all types and from all cultures. The papers, written by leading figures in linguistics, music, psycholinguistics, include discussions of how to approach the challenge of modelling structural growth and content for language and music, how to develop and evaluate experimental methodologies for such models, in-depth studies of Indian raga performer-accompanist-audience interactions, Somali sung poetry recitations, and ethnographic studies of language and music interactions.
... Alternative Location: http://www.redsea-online.com/books. Abstract. Introduced and edited by ... more ... Alternative Location: http://www.redsea-online.com/books. Abstract. Introduced and edited by Rashiid Sheekh Cabdillaahi 'Gadhweyne'; Collected by Axmed Aw Geeddi and Ismaaciil AwAadan. With English translation by Martin Orwin with help from Maxamed Xasan 'Alto'. ...
Brill’s Journal of Afroasiatic Languages and Linguistics, 2019
It has generally been assumed that there has not been any direct influence on Somali poetic metre... more It has generally been assumed that there has not been any direct influence on Somali poetic metre from the metrical forms of Arabic. For the most part, this certainly seems to hold, but this article presents a poem which is of a type on which, it is argued, Arabic influence can be seen. The poem, ‘Taaj Awliyo’ by Sheekh Caaqib Cabdullaahi Jaamac (ca. 1922-?) is presented in detail and, although it has been described as being in the jiifto metre, it is demonstrated that this description of the metre is incorrect. It actually follows a previously undocumented metrical pattern which is the equivalent of four maqalaay warlaay lines. The article also shows how the metrical pattern can be seen as a Somalized analogue of the Arabic kāmil metre in its majzūʾ or dimetric form. Evidence is given both from comparison of the line structure itself and from brief comments on reports of what the poet himself had said. The poem considered in detail is part of the Qaadiriya Sufi tradition in which p...
This article presents an overview of the different ideas presented in the literature on the geera... more This article presents an overview of the different ideas presented in the literature on the geeraar metre in Somali poetry. Following this a proposal is made which, it is suggested, provides a more accurate view of the behaviour of this metre and the way it displays the notion of ‘extrametricality’. This latter issue was, albeit in different words, first introduced in Maxamed Xaashi Dhamac ‘Gaarriye’ (1976a). An analysis of a famous geeraar poem will show how the ideas work in practice.
... Phonation in Somali phonology. Orwin, Martin (1993) 'Phonation in Somali phonology.' ... more ... Phonation in Somali phonology. Orwin, Martin (1993) 'Phonation in Somali phonology.' In: Abdi, Mohamed, (ed.), Anthropologie Somalienne (Proceedings of the 2eme Colloque des Etudes Somaliennes. ... Authors/Creators: Orwin, Martin. Editors: Abdi, Mohamed. ...
Journal of African Languages and Literatures, 2020
This article presents two Somali poems in the jiifto metre: Fad Galbeed ‘Evening Cloud’ by Maxame... more This article presents two Somali poems in the jiifto metre: Fad Galbeed ‘Evening Cloud’ by Maxamed Xaashi Dhamac ‘Gaarriye’ and Xabagbarsheed ‘Royal Jelly’ by Xasan Daahir Ismaaciil ‘Weedhsame’. Each is recognized as a fine example of modern Somali poetry, and this article seeks to understand some of the reasons why this is so. The particular features considered are the use of address and apostrophe in Fad Galbeed and how this relates to the lyric present in each of the two parts of the poem. In Xabagbarsheed, on the other hand, I concentrate on sound-patterning looking at two sections in particular, one which displays assonance and another which displays interesting crafting of sound features which, it is suggested, foreground the sound of the alliterating consonant in a particularly appealing way. The discussion is centred on the poems themselves making detailed reference to the language used and how this contributes to the features and effects discussed. It is thus on the one hand a contribution to the study of the craft and aesthetics in Somali poetry. On the other hand, the manifestations of these aesthetic aspects coincide with what is presented in work on lyric. The article makes reference to this and, without going into detail on the theoretical aspects, seeks to begin to make a contribution from Somali poetry to this field of literary study.
Papers from the Linguistics Workshop: Somali Language and Literature at the Hargeysa Cultural Centre, December 2015., 2018
This article presents an overview of the geeraar metre in Somali poetry and looks at the notion o... more This article presents an overview of the geeraar metre in Somali poetry and looks at the notion of ‘extrametricality’ in the line. An analysis of a famous geeraar poem shows how the ideas work in practice.
The Journal of African Languages and Literatures – JALaLit (ISSN 2723-9764) is an electronic, int... more The Journal of African Languages and Literatures – JALaLit (ISSN 2723-9764) is an electronic, international, peer-reviewed academic journal created with the aim to build a scientific space to address and discuss the current research trends in African linguistics and in modern and contemporary African literatures. JALaLit publishes one issue a year and is entirely open access.
JALaLit welcomes original research articles, fieldwork material, and discussion notes. The journal is interested in scholarship that draws from a broad variety of theoretical approaches and methodologies.
African linguistics: data-driven research contributions related to any aspect of African languages. A special focus is given to description, documentation and analysis of undocumented and under-described languages.
African literatures: studies on modern and contemporary literatures in African languages (also in comparison to other literatures) with a special focus on texts (both in oral or written form).
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Papers by Martin Orwin
JALaLit welcomes original research articles, fieldwork material, and discussion notes. The journal is interested in scholarship that draws from a broad variety of theoretical approaches and methodologies.
African linguistics: data-driven research contributions related to any aspect of African languages. A special focus is given to description, documentation and analysis of undocumented and under-described languages.
African literatures: studies on modern and contemporary literatures in African languages (also in comparison to other literatures) with a special focus on texts (both in oral or written form).
http://www.serena.unina.it/index.php/jalalit/index