A Rukiga farmers’ song in praise of sorghum, one of their staple crops, from the Bakiga “people of the mountains”, who straddle the border between northern Ruanda and southern Uganda.
Sorghum, sorghum, O sorghum,
sorghum and Kiga are one…
Song of the Zakkama to the Sultan of Borno
An extract from a Kanuri Praise-Poem from the ancient kingdom of Bornu in northern Nigeria. The Sultan had three official praise singers, who walked beside him procession, or stood before him in audience.
You, son of Gumsu, Gumsu Amina,
daughter of Talba, you Ibrahim,
Have attained to your father’s place among the great…
Incantation to Gain Popularity
Shava Museyamwa
Another version of the praises of the Shava clan of the Shona people of Zimbabwe (see also Thank You, Shava). Clan Praises are addressed not to specific kings as in the Zulu tradition, but to the whole lineage. At the heart of the praise is the totem associated with the clan, in this case the Eland. Museyamwa is one of the dynasties within the clan.
Thank you, my Support!
Thank you eland, my dear tawny one…
Thank You, Shava
Praises of the Shava clan of the Shona people of Zimbabwe. Clan Praises are addressed not to specific kings, as in the Zulu tradition, but to the whole lineage. Every member of the clan deserves praise after rendering some important service.
Thank you, Shava,
The Great Eland bull, The Runaway.
The Song Sung to Kaigama Anterashi, Son of Lima
A Kanuri Praise-Poem from the ancient kingdom of Bornu in northern Nigeria. Kaigama was the title of the Sultan’s chief slave, commander in chief of the army and responsible for the defence and general administration of the southern part of the Bornu kingdom.
Kaigama Anterashi,
Star of the morning…
