DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.49272#0094
78
HARVARD AFRICAN STUDIES
of the rains (the bees at this season do not attack, if they are not molested in their hives);
the Llmmu numerous and insistent as flies during the autumn; the Guyada, a little dis-
tressed on account of their casualties in the battle. Then the minstrel celebrates the killing
of Dasta Nadd, brother of Tasamma (v. 54-57). The prophecies unfavorable to the Galla,
are again quoted after the victory (v. 58-62). The song ends by challenging the Amara to
another combat at the salt springs of Bidiru, an hour’s march from the Wama river. The
Nonno will enter the new battle, with their chief Timsa Sulufa (v. 63-71).
Harangama (v. 9) is a village in the Lieqa Sibu territory (clan of the Lieqa Sibu Dicca),
chief village of the Sibu. Gura Ddba (v. 38) is a vast plain near the Wama river. Mdlam-
malinna (v. 11) is the Amharic verb malammala, “ to choose,” used principally when the
king chooses the cattle for tribute.1 The mother of Tasamma Nadd was a Galla named
Basa (v. 13). Notice in verse 23 the frequent metaphor: dibbze, “war-drum ” meaning
“ army of a chief.” A similar metaphor is used in Amharic with the word nagdrit, “ war-
drum.” Bald (v. 2) is the Amharic word bdlaw, “ hit him”! Tokkiccdkiena (v. 46), “our
only (son) ” is an ironically tender allusion to Dasta Nadd. Dimu (v. 67) is a kind of red
bee, which produces excellent honey; the hives of these bees have two queens.
45
After the victory at Gura Ddba, the Galla began to pursue Tasamma, who fled toward
Shoa. The Nonno Roggib advanced as far as the Gud4r River, where they defeated the rear
of Tasamma’s army.
gabbin Tun Gagdn "gte
far so qaddda dibbdyu
garsicco mand"mbdtu
grgdta Igld lamdtu
10 ndm"akka gar a Waygssa
ato na ndtta sildyu
wdmi garsd mdnakiena
mandf Saldlzerra Iona
ol "olef Guildhen as glia
5 yd "kka gid muddi&fa
gabbin Turi Gagdn"gte
wan soddhi ilml Nado
salgi gumbi dabi ggte
1 The calves of Turi (jag4n have sucked 2 the beer of the old man’s cup. 3 You now
(say), “Woe to me!” 4 Call the old man to our house 5 if (the affair) is like the moon of
September! 6 The calves of Turi Gag4n have sucked! 7 They have made your necks as
broken vessels. 8 The poor old man does not go out of his house; 9 he sends others to war.
10 (Led by) a man with a heart like the heart of Wayessa, 11 we will slip even into the
houses of Salahe. 12 After some time (lit. passed the day, passed the day), we will stay there
in the Gullallib’s (territory). 13 The son of Nado will tremble a little!
Notes. The old man (v. 2) is Menilek, whose armies had been defeated by the Nonno
led by Turi (*)ag4n. If things go badly with Tasamma (the moon of September is full of
ill omen, according to the Galla), it is useless for him to demand aid of Menilek: Menilek
Cf. Guidi, Vocabolario amarico-italiano, op. cit., malammala.
HARVARD AFRICAN STUDIES
of the rains (the bees at this season do not attack, if they are not molested in their hives);
the Llmmu numerous and insistent as flies during the autumn; the Guyada, a little dis-
tressed on account of their casualties in the battle. Then the minstrel celebrates the killing
of Dasta Nadd, brother of Tasamma (v. 54-57). The prophecies unfavorable to the Galla,
are again quoted after the victory (v. 58-62). The song ends by challenging the Amara to
another combat at the salt springs of Bidiru, an hour’s march from the Wama river. The
Nonno will enter the new battle, with their chief Timsa Sulufa (v. 63-71).
Harangama (v. 9) is a village in the Lieqa Sibu territory (clan of the Lieqa Sibu Dicca),
chief village of the Sibu. Gura Ddba (v. 38) is a vast plain near the Wama river. Mdlam-
malinna (v. 11) is the Amharic verb malammala, “ to choose,” used principally when the
king chooses the cattle for tribute.1 The mother of Tasamma Nadd was a Galla named
Basa (v. 13). Notice in verse 23 the frequent metaphor: dibbze, “war-drum ” meaning
“ army of a chief.” A similar metaphor is used in Amharic with the word nagdrit, “ war-
drum.” Bald (v. 2) is the Amharic word bdlaw, “ hit him”! Tokkiccdkiena (v. 46), “our
only (son) ” is an ironically tender allusion to Dasta Nadd. Dimu (v. 67) is a kind of red
bee, which produces excellent honey; the hives of these bees have two queens.
45
After the victory at Gura Ddba, the Galla began to pursue Tasamma, who fled toward
Shoa. The Nonno Roggib advanced as far as the Gud4r River, where they defeated the rear
of Tasamma’s army.
gabbin Tun Gagdn "gte
far so qaddda dibbdyu
garsicco mand"mbdtu
grgdta Igld lamdtu
10 ndm"akka gar a Waygssa
ato na ndtta sildyu
wdmi garsd mdnakiena
mandf Saldlzerra Iona
ol "olef Guildhen as glia
5 yd "kka gid muddi&fa
gabbin Turi Gagdn"gte
wan soddhi ilml Nado
salgi gumbi dabi ggte
1 The calves of Turi (jag4n have sucked 2 the beer of the old man’s cup. 3 You now
(say), “Woe to me!” 4 Call the old man to our house 5 if (the affair) is like the moon of
September! 6 The calves of Turi Gag4n have sucked! 7 They have made your necks as
broken vessels. 8 The poor old man does not go out of his house; 9 he sends others to war.
10 (Led by) a man with a heart like the heart of Wayessa, 11 we will slip even into the
houses of Salahe. 12 After some time (lit. passed the day, passed the day), we will stay there
in the Gullallib’s (territory). 13 The son of Nado will tremble a little!
Notes. The old man (v. 2) is Menilek, whose armies had been defeated by the Nonno
led by Turi (*)ag4n. If things go badly with Tasamma (the moon of September is full of
ill omen, according to the Galla), it is useless for him to demand aid of Menilek: Menilek
Cf. Guidi, Vocabolario amarico-italiano, op. cit., malammala.