These are the words to the classic song Soomaali Baan Ahay that I’ve tried to translate. I must say, though, that any translation from Somali to English doesn’t give much justice to the original and doesn’t convey the message accurately. If you spot any mistakes in the translation, or you find any better words to use, please do let me know..
Sinnaantaan la magac ahay
San-ku-neefle ma oggoli
Inuu iga sarreyn karo
Anna garasho sogordahan
Sooryo ruux ugama dhigo
Soomaali baan ahay!
I share names with equality
A mortal I do not allow
That he surpass me
And allusive words and hints
I confer not on anyone as gifts
I am Somali
Inkastoon sabool ahay
Haddana waan sarriigtaa
Sacabbada ma hoorsado
Saaxiib nimaan nahay
Cadowgayga lama simo
Soomaali baan ahay
Though impoverished I am
Yet my hardships I endure
And my palms I do not extend
A man with whom I am friends
With my enemy I do not rival
I am Somali
Nabaddaan u sahanshaa
Colaaddaan ka salalaa
Soomajeesto goobaha
Ninka nabarka soo sida
Gacantiisa kama sugo
Soomaai baan ahay
I am in a quest for peace
And from enmity I am terrified
But [from the battlefield] I flee not
And the man who brings wounds
From his hands I await not [I launch assault]
I am Somali
Nin I sigay ma nabad galo
Nin isugeyna maba jiro
Libta weli ma sii deyn
Gardarrada ma saacido
Nin xaq lehna cid lama simo
Soomaali baan ahay!
A man who endangers me lives not in peace
And there isn’t a man who did wait for me
Gratitude I have not yet abandoned
Nor do I support not any transgression
And a wronged man I compare not with others
I am Somali
Ninkaan taydu soli karin
Uma yeelo suu rabo
Sida dunida qaarkeed
Sandulleynta ma oggoli
Ninna kabaha uma sido
Soomaali baan ahay
To whom my ways do not appeal
As he wishes I do not comply with
Like some parts of the world
Coercion I do not accept
Nor do I carry any man’s shoes
I am Somali
Ninka Iga sed roonow
Siintaada magaca leh
Ogow kaama sugayee
Hana oran sasabo badaw
Dareen seexda ma lihiye
Somaali baan ahay
O’ you who is wealthier than I
Your offerings for name’s sake
Know that I expect them not
Say not, too, persuade the ignorant
For I have not a conscious that sleeps
I am Somali
Ninna madax salaaxiyo
Kama yeelo seetada
Sasabo ma qaayibo
Sirta waxaan iraahdaa
Saab aan biyaha celin
Soomaali baan ahay
Neither man’s stroking of my head
Nor his lace on my legs [duplicity] do I accept
Persuasion I do not approve
As for secrets [about me] I say
A Saab [vessel] that hold no water
I am Somali
Dabayshaan la socod ahay
Salfudeydna uma kaco
Waabay sunaan ahay
Marna samawadaan ahay
Samir baan hagoogtaa
Soomaali baan ahay
I am of a step with the wind
And on impulse I do not act
I am like fangs of poison [when provoked]
And at times, the bearer of good [when dealt with peace]
I am swathed in patience
I am Somali
Nin I sigay ma nabad galo
Nin isugeyna maba jiro
Libta weli ma sii deyn
Gardarrada ma saacido
Nin xaq lehna cid lama simo
Soomaali baan ahay!
A man who endangers me lives not in peace
And there isn’t a man who did wait for me
Gratitude I have not yet abandoned
Nor do I support not any transgression
And a wronged man I compare not with others
I am Somali
Saan la kala jaraan ahay
Summadi ay ku wada taal,
Rag baa beri I saanyaday
Anoo xoolo soofsada,
Xil midnimo anaa sida,
Soomaali baan ahay
I am like Saan [hide] split into two
That still bears the credentials
Some men once disintegrated me
Whilst I tended to my flocks
[But] the obligation of unity I [still] carry
I am Somali
I am going to be critical here even though my knowledge of Somali is on the low side and say that you can add rhythm to the words. I think your transalation reads like a Shakespear sonnet. Take this criticism with love. I have one request to make can you do a piece on a traditional Somali wedding. Thanks
Saaxiib marka hore mahadsanid, saxiib gamaan magaca ka siman, qoraayona magaca ka siman laakiin xikmada ku jirta, xeeldheerinimada, fikirka, iyo waayo aragnimadaba ku kala duwan. Maansha Allaah, Saatir ayaa haybad kugu manaystay, qoritaankaaganina waxa uu i xasuusinayaa qiimaha umadeenu ku fadhido, waxay ka kacdo, waxay jeceshahay iyo waxyaabo badan oo xiiso leh.
Runtii sxb hilowga naftaa aloosan, kashaa hinqanaysa goor ba’an, hankaa i waraysanaaya, qoraalkaaga i hiyi kiciyey, adduunkan iyo haybsigiisa hangool li’daan ku daayey (Hadraawi), sxb gudoonso nasiib wacay, xaragaadna ku sugantahay, dhaqankeenaa kuu hulaaba, haybsigaaguna waa hoygeena oo naba.
Tu-san
Native, taken aboard with love. I have tried it, but my vocabulary is a limiting factor – rhyming is almost impossible in the English translation of a somali poem/song. As for the weddings insha-Allah i will very soon – just for you of course! ;)
Adbinasir, Aad ayaad u mahadsantahay walaal, insha-Allah hadde adna waa lagaa sugayaaye ogow…Insha-Allah i will attempt to translate a few more and i might require some help from you.
Salaams Shafi,
Walee si sharafle ayaad u turjumtay. LOL. It’s a lovely poem and it’s positive essence comes through even in the English translation which is rare found in translation Somali poems.
I love the little girl in the photo, they’re doing an international day at my little girls nursery and I think I’m going to copy her style.
Xalimah, Waad mahadsantahay walaal. some of the meaning is often lost in translation. The traditional clothes are brilliant – i would post some pictures soon if i find them…
Job well done! keep on Brother.
Mr Somali
masha’allah, thank you my brother you’ve brought joy to my heart for today iam a prouder SOMALI than iwas yesterday. thank u for shinning the light on our written word, thank you for unearthing the richness and power enbodied in our poems. thank you for finally allowing the masses to finally share and see our Beatiful culture. thank youuuuuuuuuuuuuuu! maaaaaaaaaaaaaan!
Benyawas and Somali Pride, Thank yu both – insha-Allah if everyone does his/her bit, we may survive as a nation and stay afloat on the rapids that are currently beseiging us.
Insha-Allah there is more to come… stay tuned!
I admire your efforts and for the first time in my life, i feel proud of being a somali. I know i came from a nation of poets. This, you made me become aware of it…through the poem that you beautifully translated. Thx Bro. And keep up the good work. We have at least some dignity.
I stumbled onto this page while doing internet research and was amazed by the beauty and poetry you depict. This song is beautiful. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Faisal and AC, Thank you very much walaalayaal. The culture somehow has to be revived and since there aren’t many people doing it, I have decided to post what little knowledge I have in hope that readers will learn with me and/or rectify my mistakes.
Good job. Jamac kadiye peotry
I also agree with you that one can atempt to translate but difficult to make the original sense. Our language is rich language , according to social scientist some language are declining, Enlish people are declining in birth rate but english language is the language of the world today. therefore, its as who should fertilize our language, so the younger generation learn more about ther custom and tradition.:)
Haji thanks akhi. Jaamac Kediye’s poem ‘Somali Baan ahay’ is simply brilliant. And i agree with you, though it sometimes seems like Somali Language will soon be extinct itself. We are slowly losing it brother, unless a mass educational system is established.
I am really greatful that i stumbled across this wondeful somali wadhani song…you greatly done a wonderful job of translating this great song/poem (what ever you wanna call it)…i wish somebody like knaan could sing it in English to let the world know our stand, our pride e.t.c…this is what makes me proud though, i have never been to Somalia…and as young poet im really proud of what you have done…thank you and please TRANSLATE MORE SOMALI POEMS…p.s i wish i could translate them but i really suck in my mother tongue(which is heartbreaking and quite shocking)…EXCELLENT JOB ONCE AGAIN…peace and many, many BLESSINGS FROM GOD
whenever aan maqlo heestaan wadaniga ah waxaan soo xusuustaa karaamadii ay somalidu laheed,laakiin hadii aan hada maqlo waxaan u qaataa kajam iyo dheego hadal,waxaase iga sii calool xumo badan ninkii sameeyay heestaan wadaniga ah,waxaans filayaa nasiibkiisa inuu ka hor diintaa,somali ku sheegta hada soo hartaay,waxaan u jeedaa inta magaceeni dishay,balse waa jiraan qaar badan oo somali dhaba ah -(WADANIYEEN BAKSE AAN HADA WAXBA QABAN KARIN)- I HOPE ONE DAY THEY WIIL.
ahh realy this poem is so touchable ty dear sis for translate.but somaliyey wat iwonder is why aan u daawanaynaa inta yar ee umadeena waalaysa ee dhibka iyo hooga baday ilayn hadaan is biirsano wan ka xoog roonahaye ma awoodi waynay in umadu ku kacdo
b/c we tried to be refugee to call us minority we need saver
o ya allah help my pple
well done this poem so brilliently captures whats within us all
and its good to think that it was once a in actual excistence and played its part in the world even if only for a short time.
Saan la kala jaraan ahay
Summadi ay ku wada taal,
Rag baa beri I saanyaday
Anoo xoolo soofsada,
Xil midnimo anaa sida,
Soomaali baan aha
this so brilliently captures the british empires arival and part they played in somali history.
keep up the good work saxib.
Salaam, abowe. It’s nice to see another young Somali keeping the culture alive. I hope you continue this blog. Please visit my own blog about Somali culture and people I have started. It is a work in progress but I hope people can enjoy it.
Nabad iyo caano.
”
Salka u ga shisheeya ee NFD ku siman iyo
Saaca Koonfureed oo saacido taala iyo
Sinta Bari Galbeed iyo sabarrada Waqooyiga
Ummada ku siman ee saqiir iyo kabiirba leh
Kala sooci maayoo waa ii wada sokeeye oo
Soomaali baan ahay aan seeraarin karine
”
What a great poem!
”
Sawdka aan aqaannaa Soomaali weeya oo
Sinjigeyga dhalashadu Soomaali weeya oo
Sameys keyga Aadane Soomaali weeya oo
Ruuxa aan salaama Soomaali weeya oo
Sad waxaan laquutaa Soomaali weeya oo
Saaxiib waxaan nahay Soomaali weeya oo
Gogosha aan ku seexda Soomaali weeya oo
Cagta meesha aan saara Soomaali weeya oo
Jirka meesha lay sara Soomaali weeya oo
Ma ogoli safaadka iyo kala soociddoodoo
”
Simply beautiful!
Thank you to Jaamac Kediye Cilmi.
Sinnaantaan la magac ahay
San-ku-neefle ma oggoli
Inuu iga sarreyn karo
Anna garasho sogordahan
Sooryo ruux ugama dhigo
Soomaali baan ahay!
I share names with equality
A mortal I do not allow
That he surpass me
And allusive words and hints
I confer not on anyone as gifts
I am Somali
Inkastoon sabool ahay
Haddana waan sarriigtaa
Sacabbada ma hoorsado
Saaxiib nimaan nahay
Cadowgayga lama simo
Soomaali baan ahay
Though impoverished I am
Yet my hardships I endure
And my palms I do not extend
A man with whom I am friends
With my enemy I do not rival
I am Somali
Nabaddaan u sahanshaa
Colaaddaan ka salalaa
Soomajeesto goobaha
Ninka nabarka soo sida
Gacantiisa kama sugo
Soomaai baan ahay
I am in a quest for peace
And from enmity I am terrified
But [from the battlefield] I flee not
And the man who brings wounds
From his hands I await not [I launch assault]
I am Somali
Nin I sigay ma nabad galo
Nin isugeyna maba jiro
Libta weli ma sii deyn
Gardarrada ma saacido
Nin xaq lehna cid lama simo
Soomaali baan ahay!
A man who endangers me lives not in peace
And there isn’t a man who did wait for me
Gratitude I have not yet abandoned
Nor do I support not any transgression
And a wronged man I compare not with others
I am Somali
Ninkaan taydu soli karin
Uma yeelo suu rabo
Sida dunida qaarkeed
Sandulleynta ma oggoli
Ninna kabaha uma sido
Soomaali baan ahay
To whom my ways do not appeal
As he wishes I do not comply with
Like some parts of the world
Coercion I do not accept
Nor do I carry any man’s shoes
I am Somali
Ninka Iga sed roonow
Siintaada magaca leh
Ogow kaama sugayee
Hana oran sasabo badaw
Dareen seexda ma lihiye
Somaali baan ahay
O’ you who is wealthier than I
Your offerings for name’s sake
Know that I expect them not
Say not, too, persuade the ignorant
For I have not a conscious that sleeps
I am Somali
Ninna madax salaaxiyo
Kama yeelo seetada
Sasabo ma qaayibo
Sirta waxaan iraahdaa
Saab aan biyaha celin
Soomaali baan ahay
Neither man’s stroking of my head
Nor his lace on my legs [duplicity] do I accept
Persuasion I do not approve
As for secrets [about me] I say
A Saab [vessel] that hold no water
I am Somali
Dabayshaan la socod ahay
Salfudeydna uma kaco
Waabay sunaan ahay
Marna samawadaan ahay
Samir baan hagoogtaa
Soomaali baan ahay
I am of a step with the wind
And on impulse I do not act
I am like fangs of poison [when provoked]
And at times, the bearer of good [when dealt with peace]
I am swathed in patience
I am Somali
Nin I sigay ma nabad galo
Nin isugeyna maba jiro
Libta weli ma sii deyn
Gardarrada ma saacido
Nin xaq lehna cid lama simo
Soomaali baan ahay!
A man who endangers me lives not in peace
And there isn’t a man who did wait for me
Gratitude I have not yet abandoned
Nor do I support not any transgression
And a wronged man I compare not with others
I am Somali
Saan la kala jaraan ahay
Summadi ay ku wada taal,
Rag baa beri I saanyaday
Anoo xoolo soofsada,
Xil midnimo anaa sida,
Soomaali baan ahay
I am like Saan [hide] split into two
That still bears the credentials
Some men once disintegrated me
Whilst I tended to my flocks
[But] the obligation of unity I [still] carry
I am Somali
I AM SOMALI By Hussein Yusuf
Our identities are shaped by the world in which we live.
Outsiders influence how we think and even look at ourselves. I think being Somali is contradictory because the Somali identity is mixed, and even, dare I say, confused. We are Africans… and yet we are also part of the Arab world. Our psyche, worldview and even who we are is mingled with what happens in the Arab world. Our destiny seems to be tied to that world… and yet we are so different from them in so many ways.
Our Somali identity is real: our music, food and everything we do smells of a unique Africa.
Beautiful and proud, Somalis remain Somali.
Clan means so much to so many of my people.
Yes, I belong to a clan, a powerful clan in Somalia, but I have no affinity for it.
I choose to be Somali.
But I am also more than Somali, I am the product of many oceans, always changing, revolving, learning and growing.
Yet my Somali culture and history remains the tower that gives light to the oceans I swim in.
I breathe like a Somali.
My culture is not a fixed configuration but a constructive process. This is maybe a weakness on my part, but my identity and culture are always conditional to my environment and the centre of the process that I feel is never complete but always under construction. This is the Somali story: we are the product of many cultures, ideas and people.
I am Somali.
this is great, thanks to who ever thought about it and who made it up and who translated to english, thanks somaliwey i love u all!