DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.49272#0067
THE FOLK-LITERATURE OF THE GALLA 51
Bara. Tullu Sanqo (v. 114) is a mountain in the territory of Hanna. On this mountain,
Firrisa retreated at the end of the two years of war to attempt flight toward the Sudan. In
the verses 121-127, Firrisa demands of the N6nnb an open way to escape. The Nonno
whom he addresses (v. 122) are the Nonno Gacci, a tribe living westward of Hanna and
northwest of Gabba. Ambo (v. 121) is a place between Hanna and Qumba. Garb (v. 125)
is Garb Sanqilla, a river near Gurra Farda, in the region of Naccaba. Yabalo (v. 126) is
the chief village of the N6nnb Gaccf. Verse 128 compares Firrisa with Buse Garba, an
ancient Galla king of Horro, who conquered the whole country of Libqa, many districts
of Lfmmu, Gimma Abba Gif ar, and the lands of the Nonno near Lfmmu. He was father of
Ras Waranna.1
Agabu (v. 118) is fasting in a general sense (i.e. not eating) and also in the pagan religious
sense (see song 133, v. 78-80). The Moslem fast is called in Galla soma, which is an Arabic
loanword. In this song (passim) the Moslem soldiers are called gadi, Galla pronunciation
of the word gihadi, adjective from gihad, “ holy war.” Thus gadi means “ the holy war-
rior,” “the warrior of the holy war.” The Christians and the pagans punned on this word,
pronouncing it gadi, that is “little buffalo” (the buffalo is considered a low animal by the
Galla, see song 34, notes). The zawiyyah (see note to the verses 37-40 of this song) is
called by the Galla dalasd, i.e. “ enclosure.” Even the residences of the sorcerers are called
dalasd (see song 114, v. 9).
25
Asin Said (see song 24, v. 41-42) was a native of Gimma Abba Gifar, and husband of
Tullu Abba Gifar’s sister. He was banished from Gimma and went to Guma, where he
became at once famous on account of his Moslem zeal. However, as Abba Gubir became
very partial to him, and gave him great presents, many people in Guma protested against
this favoritism towards a stranger. Then the women of Guma sang:
Sidama gdra cdbsa,
durisa "mbullu miti
gimmiccd kabd galea
1 The Sidama with broken belly, 2 we will not dwell before him. 3 Let the native of
Gimma return to (his native) walls!
Then Asin Said, who had heard this song, went to the royal residency and demanded of
the king permission to go to Kaffa. The king asked Asin the reason for this demand.
Asin answered: “ Dondcco, lafti gurdd "nqabdu wdl inddltu,” that is, “Sire, the land where
(the women) have not the gurdd, is not the best (land).” As to the gurdd, see song 15,
notes. And he went to Kaffa; thence he advanced as far as Gibra, when he heard the
reports of the return of the Adamite dynasty to Guma, and the holy war. However, seeing
the expedition of Ras Tasamma already prepared, Asin remained in Gibra and did not
participate in any battles.
1 Cf. Guidi, ‘ Strofe e piccoli testi Amarici,’ op. cit.
Bara. Tullu Sanqo (v. 114) is a mountain in the territory of Hanna. On this mountain,
Firrisa retreated at the end of the two years of war to attempt flight toward the Sudan. In
the verses 121-127, Firrisa demands of the N6nnb an open way to escape. The Nonno
whom he addresses (v. 122) are the Nonno Gacci, a tribe living westward of Hanna and
northwest of Gabba. Ambo (v. 121) is a place between Hanna and Qumba. Garb (v. 125)
is Garb Sanqilla, a river near Gurra Farda, in the region of Naccaba. Yabalo (v. 126) is
the chief village of the N6nnb Gaccf. Verse 128 compares Firrisa with Buse Garba, an
ancient Galla king of Horro, who conquered the whole country of Libqa, many districts
of Lfmmu, Gimma Abba Gif ar, and the lands of the Nonno near Lfmmu. He was father of
Ras Waranna.1
Agabu (v. 118) is fasting in a general sense (i.e. not eating) and also in the pagan religious
sense (see song 133, v. 78-80). The Moslem fast is called in Galla soma, which is an Arabic
loanword. In this song (passim) the Moslem soldiers are called gadi, Galla pronunciation
of the word gihadi, adjective from gihad, “ holy war.” Thus gadi means “ the holy war-
rior,” “the warrior of the holy war.” The Christians and the pagans punned on this word,
pronouncing it gadi, that is “little buffalo” (the buffalo is considered a low animal by the
Galla, see song 34, notes). The zawiyyah (see note to the verses 37-40 of this song) is
called by the Galla dalasd, i.e. “ enclosure.” Even the residences of the sorcerers are called
dalasd (see song 114, v. 9).
25
Asin Said (see song 24, v. 41-42) was a native of Gimma Abba Gifar, and husband of
Tullu Abba Gifar’s sister. He was banished from Gimma and went to Guma, where he
became at once famous on account of his Moslem zeal. However, as Abba Gubir became
very partial to him, and gave him great presents, many people in Guma protested against
this favoritism towards a stranger. Then the women of Guma sang:
Sidama gdra cdbsa,
durisa "mbullu miti
gimmiccd kabd galea
1 The Sidama with broken belly, 2 we will not dwell before him. 3 Let the native of
Gimma return to (his native) walls!
Then Asin Said, who had heard this song, went to the royal residency and demanded of
the king permission to go to Kaffa. The king asked Asin the reason for this demand.
Asin answered: “ Dondcco, lafti gurdd "nqabdu wdl inddltu,” that is, “Sire, the land where
(the women) have not the gurdd, is not the best (land).” As to the gurdd, see song 15,
notes. And he went to Kaffa; thence he advanced as far as Gibra, when he heard the
reports of the return of the Adamite dynasty to Guma, and the holy war. However, seeing
the expedition of Ras Tasamma already prepared, Asin remained in Gibra and did not
participate in any battles.
1 Cf. Guidi, ‘ Strofe e piccoli testi Amarici,’ op. cit.