Long Yao Poems

These are modern English translations of Chinese poems of The Shijing or Shi Jing ("Book of Songs" or "Book of Odes")

Shijing Ode #4: “JIU MU”
ancient Chinese rhyming poem (c. 1200-600 BC)
loose translation by Michael R....

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The Shijing or Shi Jing or Shih-Ching (“Book of Songs” or “Book of Odes”) is the oldest Chinese poetry collection, with the poems included believed to date from around 1200 BC to 600 BC. According...

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Years back , my grand father used to tell me about our  stolen  Kingdom. 
" My grand father King Mussabwa Mundi was assassinated by his relatives for power. 
Many members of our family  lost their...

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As the ceremony started 
A young  girl recited, " 
Receive my best greetings...
Welcome our dear delegates 
from bajhoba Kingdoms. 
             I am Ziyanda...

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In the meeting
of LUKA members,  
                    Yves Kamunobe
stood up and started reciting, " 
  ...

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There's a Cherokee Indian at the door.
What the hell is happening in this neighbourhood, last week it was the seven dwarfs, and who was the bloody spokesman, bloody Dopey.
Remember the good old days when it...

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English verse>
gimme sum mutual praise
gimme sum mutual praise
gimme sum mutual praise
All them there people's of the world;
Coastal dwellers praising; All day long, all the day long;
Rejoicing, and repenting of their wrongs.
Everybody on the islands;
Everywhere on...

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THE SOUNDS OF THE RIVER DRUMS---part 1

AS THE SOUND OF THE BEAT GOES, TUM, TUM, TUM
As the sound of the drum beats boom, boom, boom
Running river waters streaming;
heading down the valleys screaming
Flowing where it may...

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Why do we mind our culture so much? 
                          ...

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As I was reading  Nyasatimes 
Gazette on line 
On January 10th , 2024
I  saw the name 
of Yao Kingdom Foundation
Portrayed badly 
As written," differences have emerged
 in the once United
Yao tribe, 
under Chiwanja...

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*written for Verlena's Contest "EBONICS, Let's Do Some Slang"


SHAWTY,

Yir' boy fin' ta' told ya' bout some lessons in what the Man call Ebonics.
Cus' I gots' this!
Like the young fellow named Carmello on the New York...

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as the Yao King seated 
on the throne, 
traditional prime minister 
to wayao royal family recited,
"You are the only
 king of Wayao of Mozambique, 
 Zimbabwe, Tanzania 
Malawi and Zambia. 
Praise be to you 
on the majestic...

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Come forth, come forth my eastern flame, 
With heat and warmth of a new sunrise,
Hold ye close this yearning frame,
Look deep into my azure eyes! 

Come hither au me my eastern fire,
With trembling and untried...

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My odds feel slim as a stick figure but my desire thicker than Monique and three golden 
corrals, the competition is higher up than Yao on Shaq's shoulders but who can write 
with deeper meaning...

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Know your roots 
Sometime when you hear 
about the big population of Wayao 
in Eastern and Southern Africa 
with many kind chiefs 
and one king.
You will say 
They are so wise , 
With a strong...

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Tatizo letu sisi kama sisi ni kwamba hatuna elimu lakini ni wajuaji 
Tatizo letu sisi kama sisi ni kwamba hatutaki kutembea bali kukimbia
 Tatizo letu sisi kama sisi ni kwamba hatushibi, 
Tunakula mpaka tunajamba 
Tuna...

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Chimbalangism was the doctrine of King Mndala 
        Chimbalanga ndindi from 1830
  He wanted to unite tribes through his names
  In Maravi Kingdom when he won...

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In my history  book title " African's Hidden Treasure" 
There was a military commander who used to recite
his poems and sing songs on  trees in his gardens. 
One day he organised a contest of women...

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TUNU ISOKIFANI
 
Kwa fahari najigamba, mataifa natangaza,
Mahari kote natamba, penye nuru hatagiza,
Mnene hata mwembamba, sifa zote namaliza,
Ni tunu isokifani, kuzaliwa Afrika.

Chakula changu asili, matunda tele nachuma,
Chastahili kimwili, cha wengine ntalalama,
Kisotiwa kemikali, huwezi tamani tema,
Ni tunu...

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They take me through grasslands
Of the sunny flat lands of home
Dotted by baobabs 
Young ones running up and down
Elders , to and from farm
Changing tunes low and high
As they sing them 
In turns 
To suit...

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How wisdom of a young king flourishing
 like  watered flowers. 
         Quote by poet.

Sometimes some people praise their leaders 
After winning some great battles.  
When King Mndala Chimbalanga
Won the war  against King Kalonga 

All the Yao...

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