Yasmin Sheikh-Mohamed Portfolios

by Abwaan Bashiir Sheekh-Maxamed

Gabay is a classical form of Somali poetry known for its depth, structure, and powerful language. Traditionally composed and recited by men, gabay follows a strict alliterative pattern and rhythmic meter, making it both intellectually demanding and artistically refined. It is often used to explore themes such as honor, politics, faith, love, and social justice. More than just verse, gabay has long served as a tool for storytelling, debate, and cultural preservation within Somali society, reflecting the values and history of the community through carefully crafted words.

Scroll further down for English translation.

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Waxaan ka sheekeynayaa markii dagaalkii Xamar uu ka dhacay ayaa islaan baa qaxday. Ninkii na waa laga dilay caruurtii na waa laga dilay. Gurigii na waa laga qaatay iyo xoolihii. Markaas wexee la qaxday intii ee qabtay moyaan ee, wexee la qaxday go’a sariirta ee la huwado iyo in yar oo dahab ah iyo wexee qaadatay dirac yar oo cusub ee ku labisanayso. Intii bee guriga ee kala baxday. Dabateeto markee Keenya ee joogto xuduuda ayuu askarigii Keenyaanka ahaa yidhi lacag keen. Ileen laluush bee Soomalida ka qaataan. Markaasee tidhi anugu lacag ma haystee xerada qoxootidaan u socdaa ee intan dahabka ah na qaata, diracan na qaata, go’an na qaata, idaaya na aan xerada qoxootida aan tago ee. Intii bee ka qaateen qal bee yidhaahdeen marka. Markee gashay bee gabaygan ayey tirisay.

Garbo ii daboolaan jirtay iyo daaqad baan furi ee sidii ina Dage
Yaan hadal wax tara idin dareensiin ee deexdii saraan iyo qabaan daalay baan ahay
Durdur iyo xareed baan ahay iyo daakhatoo kale
Ee daruur roori roob da’aya doogsi baan ahay
Dulmi kuma shaqeeyo ee iyo dad inaan wax yeelo ee
Diibjirkeeda bal dareen Somaalaay 
Dareen hadalkan aan dhiirka ka cadeeyay
Dibjirkeeda waligeed rag baa daadaahiin jirey ee 
Rag baa diiday duulkii xumaa dabagalkiisii ee 
Dooni mayno niman baa ku yidhi doodii heer Yurub ee
Rag dadaalay duni uu dhisay baan dumin naqaanaa ee

Jabhadahan darooriyey ee duuda wada taagan
Iyagu ba dab bee shidayaan mate(?) dooxyadu ee
Midkii maariin soo dilo qof bee dib u amaanaan ee
Boqol bee u kala doonayaan calankii dayraa ee
Kuwaad dariska moodeen hadaan dura yar kaa siiyo
Markuu dumar qoxooti arko dollar filayaa ee
Dhurwaa Keenya iyo Axmaar kuuma dayr naxo ee
Markuu dumar qoxooti arko dollar filayaa ee

Diiricii Dahabo loo qaday iyo daabaca iyo luulka
Yaduba naftaa damac leh ee nolol ku doontaa
Dabka ololi yaa nugu shiday oo dooxatada reebay
Yaa dumiyay daarihii dhisnaa dilalyada keenay
Horta yaa u daacad ah shacabka dhiiga laga daadshay

Marba kii hogaan loo dirsado tuugo dabo taagan
Direktoor gaboobay oo tacliin waayo daba jooga 
Sheekha duubleh iyo caalimiin diinta garanaysa
Allahayoow nin daacad ah maxaa dunya laga tuuray
Darintii salaada iyo maxaa daah la kala gooyay
Gabadh doonane iyo maxaa damac la ceebeeyey
Dahab ninkeedu u diray maxaa Deeqa laga boobay
Maxaan dihanay ciil maxaan daf nidhi cadho maxaan doodnay

Dalka xoolihiisii maxaa biiro loogu doontay
Dalka xoolihiisii maxaa khamri lugu cabay
Dollar aan dhib loo marin maxaa dibad la keedeystay

Isha daban maxaa la isu nabay labo is duuxaysa 
Dibkadeedna diif iyo xanuun ceeb la dalandoolay
Dad nasiibku daadihinayo yaan cidu u diidaynin
Deeqdii Ilaahay baxshaha lugu dagaameen ee
Dowlad wacan ineen helaa noo daninayaa ee
Aan is dayno duulkii xun baa dilay naftiisii ee
Hadii kale dugaagaa na cuni danyeelkeen

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(In the poem) I am telling the story of a (fictional) woman who fled when the war broke out in Mugadishu. Her husband and children were killed. Her house and valuables were robbed. Except the clothes she was wearing, the only things she had with her was a bed sheet and some gold jewellery as well as a new dirac (dress) worn for nicer occasions. 

That’s all she had with her. As she was crossing the Kenyan border a Kenyan soldier asked her for a bribe. The first wave of Somalis who fled were amongst the wealthy and the Kenyan soldiers at the border discovered and misused that quickly. She told him she didn’t have money and that she was fleeing to the refugee camp, but take this gold, this dress and this bed sheet. They accepted and let her cross the border. Once she crossed, she recited this poem:

– English translation coming soon. –