13469760.0026.113Absinthe2377-3456Michigan Publishing, University of Michigan LibraryAnn Arbor, MI13469760.0026.113http://hdl.handle.net/2027/spo.13469760.0026.113ArticleThe Tree| Omuti, Mother | Nnakazzadde, The Plague | Wayirindi | The Unending Game | Omuzannyo OgutakomaKiguli (author) SusanKabugo (translator) MeritKabugoMerit11112019261VIBRATE! Resounding the Frequencies of Africana in Translation2019This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Please contact mpub-help@umich.edu to use this work in a way not covered by the license. <table-wrap><table><tbody><tr><td>OMUTI<xref rid="n1" ref-type="fn">1</xref> </td><td><p><styled-content style="">THE TREE</styled-content></p></td></tr><tr><td>Ahaha sooka olabe omuti bwe gwettika</td><td><italic><styled-content style="color: #FF0000;">Ooh! Behold, what a tree can carry!</styled-content></italic></td></tr><tr><td>Obukoola lukunkumuli</td><td><italic><styled-content style="color: #FF0000;">Millions of leaves</styled-content></italic></td></tr><tr><td>N’enkuyanja y’ennyembe </td><td><italic><styled-content style="color: #FF0000;">Multitudes of succulent mangoes</styled-content></italic></td></tr><tr><td>N’obunyonyi obw’omu bire</td><td><italic><styled-content style="color: #FF0000;">As well as little birds of the sky</styled-content></italic></td></tr><tr><td>Kw’ossa okwo n’ebisu byabwo</td><td><italic><styled-content style="color: #FF0000;">And their nests, too</styled-content></italic></td></tr><tr><td>Labayo bwe gwettika</td><td><italic><styled-content style="color: #FF0000;">Behold, what a tree can carry</styled-content></italic></td></tr><tr><td>Waggulu ne gwettika</td><td><italic><styled-content style="color: #FF0000;">On its head, it carries</styled-content></italic></td></tr><tr><td>Ne wansi ne gwebagajja emirandira gyagwo</td><td><italic><styled-content style="color: #FF0000;">On its feet, it heaves and carries its roots</styled-content></italic></td></tr><tr><td>Wamma omuti ggwo gwayitawo.</td><td><italic><styled-content style="color: #FF0000;">Indeed the tree surpasses all.</styled-content></italic></td></tr><tr><td/><td/></tr><tr><td>Wabula waliyo abababuukirira</td><td><italic><styled-content style="color: #FF0000;">But there are those who are voluble</styled-content></italic></td></tr><tr><td>Mbu tippa eza loole</td><td><italic><styled-content style="color: #FF0000;">Who argue that lorry trucks</styled-content></italic></td></tr><tr><td>Mbu nazo zettika nnyo</td><td><italic><styled-content style="color: #FF0000;">Are also such big carriers</styled-content></italic></td></tr><tr><td>Kafankunaali w’abantu </td><td><italic><styled-content style="color: #FF0000;">Of tonnes of all kinds of goods</styled-content></italic></td></tr><tr><td>Babuwe ne zikubako enfaafa y’ebintu</td><td><italic><styled-content style="color: #FF0000;">They brim over with countless goods</styled-content></italic></td></tr><tr><td>Wabbuto n’abwegera </td><td><italic><styled-content style="color: #FF0000;">And the stomachs bulge</styled-content></italic></td></tr><tr><td>Naye leka leka wamma</td><td><italic><styled-content style="color: #FF0000;">But wait a minute</styled-content></italic></td></tr><tr><td>Kuba yo tippa oluusi</td><td><italic><styled-content style="color: #FF0000;">The truck, on occasions</styled-content></italic></td></tr><tr><td>Egenda mu kkubo eyiwaayiwako</td><td><italic><styled-content style="color: #FF0000;">spills some of the baggage along the way</styled-content></italic></td></tr><tr><td>Ate nno ka nkubbireko</td><td><italic><styled-content style="color: #FF0000;">Let me tell you a little secret</styled-content></italic></td></tr><tr><td>Olumu bagiziyizaako</td><td><italic><styled-content style="color: #FF0000;">Sometimes the truck’s workload is regulated</styled-content></italic></td></tr><tr><td>Nti leero eneesomba wali ow’a</td><td><italic><styled-content style="color: #FF0000;">Deciding that today the truck</styled-content></italic></td></tr><tr><td>Katale ak’e Nsambya</td><td><italic><styled-content style="color: #FF0000;">Will only carry goods at Nsambya market</styled-content></italic></td></tr><tr><td>Aaah kati tulabe wamma</td><td><italic><styled-content style="color: #FF0000;">Come on, let us plan properly</styled-content></italic></td></tr><tr><td>Waliyo amayinja gali ku kasozi</td><td><italic><styled-content style="color: #FF0000;">There are those slates</styled-content></italic></td></tr><tr><td>Namungoona.</td><td><italic><styled-content style="color: #FF0000;">At Namungoona hill.</styled-content></italic></td></tr><tr><td/><td/></tr><tr><td>Naye era eyawa omuti ebbeetu</td><td><italic><styled-content style="color: #FF0000;">But the one who gave liberty to the tree</styled-content></italic></td></tr><tr><td>Bannange yasukkuluma</td><td><italic><styled-content style="color: #FF0000;">Transcends all</styled-content></italic></td></tr><tr><td>Akeera maliiri n’alagira</td><td><italic><styled-content style="color: #FF0000;">He wakes up early to give instructions</styled-content></italic></td></tr><tr><td>Nti obukoola bwa leero</td><td><italic><styled-content style="color: #FF0000;">Ordering that this time</styled-content></italic></td></tr><tr><td>Bulina kuba butono ate nga</td><td><italic><styled-content style="color: #FF0000;">The leaves must be small in size</styled-content></italic></td></tr><tr><td>Bwasongolerera</td><td><italic><styled-content style="color: #FF0000;">And pointed in shape</styled-content></italic></td></tr><tr><td>Ate oba okyali awo</td><td><italic><styled-content style="color: #FF0000;">While you are still mesmerized</styled-content></italic></td></tr><tr><td>Okutunula ennyo nga bwa bigondogondo.</td><td><italic><styled-content style="color: #FF0000;">A second look reveals that they are variegated.</styled-content></italic></td></tr><tr><td>Kw’ossa buli baaba obulinga</td><td><italic><styled-content style="color: #FF0000;">And ooh! There are those that look like</styled-content></italic></td></tr><tr><td>Obulina ebisukko ne kakugwaako</td><td><italic><styled-content style="color: #FF0000;">They have lesions and if they fall on your skin</styled-content></italic></td></tr><tr><td>Anti ggwe ne weyagula</td><td><italic><styled-content style="color: #FF0000;">you desperately scratch yourself</styled-content></italic></td></tr><tr><td>Wabula kyokka kkiriza</td><td><italic><styled-content style="color: #FF0000;">You really need to acknowledge</styled-content></italic></td></tr><tr><td>Omuti ggwo gwayitawo</td><td><italic><styled-content style="color: #FF0000;">That the tree surpasses all</styled-content></italic></td></tr><tr><td>Era alosa omuti kyokka</td><td><italic><styled-content style="color: #FF0000;">And whoever gives life to the tree</styled-content></italic></td></tr><tr><td>Ye yasukkuluma n’akamala. </td><td><italic><styled-content style="color: #FF0000;">Is indeed an invincible force.</styled-content></italic></td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap></sec> <sec><title>NNAKAZZADDE Leero ebigambo ntambudde na bisengejje Mbisengeka mbisengejja saagala kuwammanta Kale nze nteesa buteesa nti nnakazadde awaanwako Kisaana okusaasaanya omuwendo gwa maama Teriiyo aliguvuganya. Kyokka kyo kya mazima ye maama ayatiikirira Era singa nsobola bannyabo nandibatadde wamu Olwo ne nsooka nsaba Nnamugereka angerekere ku mmunyeenye ze. Kuba ddala nandiddidde eddaala ne nninya ne nnona Ku ziri ezimyansa mwattu buli omu ne muwaako emu Ate oba nandisabye Omutonzi n’anjazika ku langi eza musoke Bambi buli omu ne muwaako emu. Kuba bambi omukwano gwa maama simanyi ani aligwogerako. <styled-content style="color: #FF0000;">MOTHER</styled-content> Today I have moved with filtered words I pattern and sieve them because I do not want to grope for words I come with a simple proposal that a mother deserves praise The value of a mother needs to be broadcast The value of a mother is indisputable. It is indeed true that a mother is an icon If it were possible, I would bring all mothers together I would then pray to the Almighty to bequeath some of His stars to me. I would then get a ladder and climb up the sky To pick some of the twinklers and hand one to each mother Or I would ask the creator to lend me some of the colors of the rainbow Then I would give a color to each of the mothers. Because I am not sure whether anyone can ever fully express a mother’s love. WAYIRINDI Wayirindi, otwerigombeddeko nno! Ani yakuwa olukusa okwekkusa otyo? Oddidde ebyali ebitiibwa obitimbye okwo Ku bisenge ebimogofu Olwo osiita ng’asiika ebinyeebwa ebisiriira Nti bwe binaggya tunaggyako ebikuta! Otukongoodde ate n’otubaaga Olinga kamunye alengedde enkoko enjeru? Wayirindi otwerigombeddeko nnyo! Essungu oliggye wa eryo? N’obwebweena n’obwerippye mu lubuto? Ne weddiza obukoko N’obatika obubuzi Ne mu ggana n’oweekamu ennume? N’obusolo ku ttale Okudaala n’okirako abazadde ku mbaga Nti atalina aweeke ejjinja Wayirindi otwerigombeddeko nnyo! Obadde otya atalina nsonyi? Ku buko otwala nsonzi Nti yii ekyennyanja kyayinga obuwoomi! Otulanga ki atubunya obufo? Ebiwoobe bifuuse eby’olulango Olwo okubye akakule akatalaba mujja Nti he n’oyo anaafumba! Wayirindi otwerigombeddeko luno! Naye naffe tunaakukwata bulago Tunaasooba nga nnawolovu alabye enswera Tunaabanga Nakibinge nti n’emmuli zinaalwana Anti baalugera nti okwerinda. <styled-content style="color: #FF0000;">THE PLAGUE</styled-content> Plague, you have indeed trampled on us! Who permitted you to be such a glutton? What was once respectable You now hang up on gaping walls You are as mischievous as one scorching peanuts while roasting them Anticipating to skin the nuts after the roast! You have bullied and skinned us You are like an eagle that has spotted a white chicken Plague, you have indeed trampled on us! Why all that rage? You even devour little ones clinging to the womb! You snatch the chickens You stuff your cheeks with the goats In a herd, you pick the bull? Including game in the jungle You brag like parents at a child’s wedding Who urge the childless to babysit a stone Plague, you have indeed trampled on us! Why are you so shameless? You carry little tiny fish to your inlaws Claiming that fish is such a delicacy! What do we owe you that you harass us so? Weeping is such a common sight With your cynical laughter, as loud as that of a co-wife Who belittles a new co-wife! Plague, you have indeed trampled on us! But we shall take you by the neck We shall be sneak on you like a chameleon catching a fly Like Prince Nakibinge of old, we shall use even reeds to fight Like the adage goes, be on your guard. THE UNENDING GAME<xref rid="n2" ref-type="fn">2</xref> We are at it again. No one deserves to lose A son, a father, a brother, a nephew, an uncle A daughter, a mother, a sister, a niece, an aunt No one. No one deserves news That a rock full of hatred hit her husband That he writhed in blood As television cameras rolled No one merits public humiliation With legs thrashing about And foam at his mouth While television cameras roll. No one. No one deserves to receive news of The death of a father By watching uniformed men Club his head Until he crumbles in an Incoherent heap While television cameras run. No one. No one deserves to see Bullets lodged In the womb of their Pregnant daughter Her clothes shredded By the power of violence and silence of terror. No one deserves knowledge of Never knowing why such anger Moves in loaded guns No one. No one deserves to travel long distances To fetch the body of a child Sent to university in hope of glory Because a bullet was lodged in His head by a security guard Who has lost the sense of foolish daring youth No one deserves this deliberate extravaganza Of robbing life Knowing it will be news for a day Then another folly will take over As families struggle with sorrow With furious young people Growing up To wreck their own nation Which they disown everyday While they live in it Which they desire to flee Recognizing they cannot leave Realising they are knotted up in balls of rage and love Unable to disentangle. <italic><styled-content style="color: #FF0000;">OMUZANNYO OGUTAKOMA</styled-content></italic> Tuguzzeemu nate. Tewali asaana kufiirwa Mutabani, kitaawe, mugandawe, kizibwe, oba kojja Muwalawe, nnyina, mwannyina, nnyazaala we, oba ssenga Tewali n’omu. Tewali asaana kuwulira Nti ejjinja ericuuma obukyayi lyakubye bba Nti bba yalaajanidde mu kitaba ky’omusaayi Ng’abentambi za ttivvi beetala okumulaga Tewali asaana kuweebuulwa atyo Ng’amagulu ge gagudde nnagalaale Ng’abimbye n’ejjovu mu kamwa Ng’eno ab’entambi za ttivvi beetala okumulaga. Tewali n’omu. Tewali asaana kubikirwa Nti kitawo yafudde Ng’alaba abenaanise ebibomboola Bakuba omwagalwa we entolima ku mutwe Okutuusa lw’agaηηalama N’afuuka omutulumbi Ng’eno ab’entambi za ttivvi beetala. Tewali n’omu Tewali asaana kutunuulira Amasasi nga gasindirirwa Mu lubuto lwa muwala waabwe Eyetisse enda/ettu Engoye ze nga zisensulwa Mu bikolwa eby’obukambwe n’ettima. Tewali asaana kumanya Lwaki tamanyi lwaki obukambwe nga buno Butambulira mu mmundu ezijjudde amasasi Tewali n’omu. Tewali asaana kuseyeggera ηηendo Okuwondera omulambo gw’omwana Eyagenda ku yunivasite afuuke ekkula Kubanga yakubiddwa essasi ku mutwe Nga liva ku mukuumi eyabadde Tamanyi kalaaca ka bavubuka Tewali asaanira ffujjo lino lya lugenderezo Effujjo ery’okutirimbula abantu Ng’oli akimanyi nti gajja kuba mawulire ga kiseera buseera Olwo ate wajjewo kazoole omulala Ng’abantu balumwa obugigi olw’ennaku Ng’abaana bakula n’obusungu obuzibu Nga bambi bajjudde ekiruyi Eky’okutaagula eggwanga lyabwe Eggwanga lye begaana buli lukya So ng’ate babeera mu lyo Naye nga baagala okulyabulira Bwe bakizuula nti tebasobola kuliviira Ne bamanya nti balippiddwa muli Mu bituttwa by’obusungu n’omukwano Mwe batakyasobola kwetakkuluza. Notes

The original versions of the poems “Omuti | The Tree”, “Nnakazzadde | Mother”, “Wayirindi | The Plague” were written in Luganda.

This poem is originally written in English.