CIYOW BIYAHA KEEN

[Galol]

Does anyone know the playwright, history or te storyu behind this almost operatic classic. It is a song about yearning for freedom, rebellion, conservatism, women's right and so much more.

The plot revolved rounf a teenage girl and her village. they want to her to serve and do teh things that a girl is expected to do like fetching water and she wants to live and enjoy and have fun

It roughly goes something like this. Please correct me if I am wrong my Wallaweyn lingo isnt what it used to be

Village: Ciyow Biyaha keen ciddaa oomanee caweys iyo cayaar dhafee ceelka soo jiidee

Girl: Ceelka jiidkiisaan la caatoobee caawinaan waaye caasha waa noogee

Village: Repeat above chorus

Girl: Hawd Caleentiisa soo carfoo haysee cirka waa soo ceeryaamiyoo haayee

Village: repeat chorus

Could anyone remember the rest?

I will translate to english for our non-Somali speakers and young qurbe Somalis as well as qaldaans if necessary.

Great piece of work isnt it? is it from the 50s? 60s?

[Gacalisa]

never heard of it.

[DerbiJiiF]

Well, I think that is a nice play, but it is the most beautiful one. I think this one ecompasses the whole shukansi style of urban somalis, and depicts a life style. The sings of flirting, negotiation, and even agreement are all embedded in this song/play. It is treasure for us to remember it and keep it. I do litsen it every time, and I keep discover some new meaning of it. Classic.

Now I am on the run, but I will post it the translated version and last part of the song. Here is the play, enjoy it:

She beings with:


Jidka lees ku joogoo,
la is ku jawaab xumeeyo
la is xareero ( aflagaado)
mad jeclatey.

Jahadaa la taalee,
Jahilnimaa ku qadee Jiidoow ( the guy)
Ma ku jawaabaye

And then he asnwers:

Madaxaada waaye
Meeha wixii i keeney
Ha i moodin
Waa ku soo magee ( magay)

Maqri (dhib) iiga dhafee
Miirkeygi yaa tahee
Mudo ii qabo muraad keygi

And then she answes

Dahab iyo luulee kugu ma doorsahayi
Dalka nuuriyow i daweye
Duqa iiga doonee
Da’inimad qabtaaye
Ana waa kuu dadaalaye

And he answers

Duqa waa taqaanine
Deeq badan aas rabaa
Iyo dahabkoo dambiil u qaadaye
Daf inaan ku siiyo
Duurkaan kuula aada
Ana daawadey i daweye




I will complete the last part. Sorry.

Derbi

[Galol]

Derbijiif

I am sorry mate but i dont think we are talking about the same song.

[Cawar]

Galol, I learned everything I know about somali songs/plays while in the Qurbo....but I think I remember a little from the song.

Cidaa oomanee caweys iyo ciyaar dhaafee Ceelka soo jiidee

Cellka soo jiidowgiisaan la catoobee.

[Sir-Luggoyo]

Ciyow biyaha keen
Cidda Oomanee
Caweys iyo Cayaar dhaafee
Ceelka soo jiidee

Ceelka jiidowgiisaan la caatoobe
Caawinaan waayee
Caato waa noogee

(Chorus)

Ceelka waa ceentaa
Ceeb ma keenaayee
Ceen kalaa taalle
Caajis mii haayee

(Chorus)

Cuud caleentiisaa soo carfowhaysee
Cirka waa soo ciiramiyowhaayaa

(Chorus)

Meel cagaar buuxo
Caws ka soo muuqdo
Caano waa yaalaan
Looma ciishoodo

(Chorus)




Absolutely classic Banaadiri. Those were the pioneers of the Reer Xamar arts.

[Galol]

Lugless

Brilliant! You do have your uses sometimes. Do you know the author? any background information?

[Sir-Luggoyo]

The author is (aun) Aweis Geeddow, the father and pioneer of the Banaadiri arts

[Galol]

Yes heard about him.

what is "(aun)"?

[Sir-Luggoyo]

Something you chose not to believe (Allaha U Naxariisto)

[Galol]

Ok. Lets leave Allah out of this shall we? Anyway well done. This proves beyond doubt Banadiris can deliever masterpieces of Somali literature as good as anyone.

[kambuli]

Sir,

Thanks walaal. Walaahay markaan heesaha dhegeystaba waan is weydiin jirey " Tolow "aun" tani waa maxay

[Galol]

Kambuli

What? did they say (aun) in heesaha?