Soomaali Baan Ahay

Waxaa qoray Cabdiqaadir Hersi Siyaad

Waqtiyada socdaalka ah
Ayaamaha silsidda ah
Xilliyada bal suuree
Soojire haddaad tahay
Sadarrada dib ugu noqo
SOOMAALI WAA KUMA?
Sinnaantaan la magac ahay
Sanku-neefle ma oggoli
Inuu iga sarrayn karo
Anna garasho sogordahan
Sooryo ruux ugama dhigo
SOOMAALI BAAN AHAY

Ninna madax-salaax iyo
Kama yeelo seetada
Sasabada ma qaayibo
Sirta waxaan iraahdaa
Saab aan biyaha cellin
SOOMAALI BAAN AHAY

Dabayshaan la socod ahay
Salfudeydna uma kaco
Waabay sunaan ahay
Marna samawadaan ahay
Samir baan hagoogtaa
SOOMALI BAAN AHAY

Inkastoon sabool ahay
Haddana waan sarriigtaa
Sacabada ma hoorsado
Saaxiib nimaan nahay
Cadawgayga lama simo
SOOMAALI BAAN AHAY

Socdaalkaygu waa meel
Sahaydaydu waa dacar
Soohdintaydu waa caan
Seeftaydu waa cudur
Naftuna geedka iga suran
SOOMAALI BAAN AHAY

Nin i sigay ma nabad galo
Nin i sugayna maba jiro
Libta weli ma sii dayn
Gardarrada ma saacido
Nin xaqlana cid lama simo
SOOMAALI BAAN AHAY

Nabaddaan u sahanshaa
Colaaddaan ka selelaa
Sooma jeesto goobaha
Ninka nabarka soo sida
Gacantiisa kama sugo
SOOMAALI BAAN AHAY

Ninkaan taydu soli karin
Uma yeelo suu rabo
Sida dunida qaarkeed
Ninna kabaha uma sido
SOOMAALI BAAN AHAY

Ninka iga sed roonow
Siintaada magaca leh
Ogow kaama sugayee
Hana oran “sasabo bedow”
Dareen seexda ma lihiye
SOOMAALI BAAN AHAY

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 Somali

By Abdulkadir Hersi Siyad

In these relentless days,
if you have been truly alive,
reflect on past times,
trace back the lines,
ask yourself:
Who is Somali?
No one who breathes oppresses me.
Because I believe in equality
no one is placed above me.
When you come to visit me
see no half-hearted hospitality.
I AM SOMALI

To those of you who say you care
while threatening me with chains,
you’re like a vessel full of holes,
your two-faced treachery leaking away.
Attempts to betray me will never hold sway.
I AM SOMALI

Although I have nothing, my head is high,
I do not beg, I am rich inside with
self-respect, dignity and pride.
If you’re my foe, I’ll never be subdued,
if you’re my friend, my whole heart is for you.
I AM SOMALI

The way ahead is hard, but clear.
My journey will be grievous
though my borders are well-known.
My sword brings danger and misery,
my soul already hangs on the tree.
I AM SOMALI

The man who can harm me barely exists,
but if he comes close, he’ll find I resist.
Should victory be mine, I will not oppress,
any wronged man will regain his rights,
and even my enemies treated justly.
I AM SOMALI

I dread war, always search for peace,
but from enemies I will not flinch,
if they get too close, I’ll defend myself,
won’t turn my face from hostility,
no coward am I—
I AM SOMALI

Swift as the wind yet
not a man of impulse,
toxic as venom yet
swathed in patience, I seek
to bring goodness wherever it’s needed.
I AM SOMALI

To the man who will not consider my view,
I won’t be forced to comply with you,
joining with others all over the world,
I’ll shake off the chains of my oppressors,
servant to no one, unburdened, free.
I AM SOMALI

Though you have far more wealth than me,
don’t come with patronizing charity,
your false praise I do not crave,
I do not sleep, I’m wide awake,
your hollow promises cannot persuade.
I AM SOMALI

While I grazed my cattle, you came to divide,
like livestock you scattered me far and wide,
but my branding you can never hide;
my task now—to do what’s right,
my duty is clear—to reunite.
I AM SOMALI

Cabdiqaadir Hersi Siyaad (1945-2005)

Abwaan Cabdiqaadir Hersi Siyaad waxaa inta badan lagu gartaa naanaystiisa Yamyam. Intii Dagaalkii Sokeeye ugu doorka roonayd Cabdiqaadir wuxuu ku noolaa magaala-madxada Muqdisho; wuxuse ka gabyijirey dhibaatooyinka dalkiisa ka jira, isaga oo sidii uu nabad ugu soo dabaali lahaa awooda saaraya. Cabdiqaadir oo ka dabayimi reerkiisii oo deganaa Columbus, Ohio 2005, markii uu soo gadhayba waxa jiidhay gaadhi, kaasi oo uu u go’ay.

Poet and playwright Abdulkadir Hersi Siyad is better known by his nickname Yamyam. He lived in Somalia’s capital city, Mogadishu, during much of the Civil War, and through his writings he promoted peace in his troubled country. He joined his family in the United States in 2005 but was hit by a car and died the same year in Columbus, Ohio.