Tuungane kutokomeza ukatili is poem composed in Swahili language by Dyoniz Kindata. The literal translation of the title is ‘Let us Unite to End Violence’. The major reason that prompted me to compose this poem is to raise awareness and to cement the idea of equality for both men and women in accessing different societal services, such as education, property ownership, leadership etc.
One can notice that the themes portrayed in this poem reflect to a greater extent the discussions and themes of the Leipzig Winter School, 2020 by Recalibrating Afrikanistik. Issues like recuperation of global south epistemology- making the Africa we want, the relationship between language and power, the question of othering as a way of excluding others in doing things and many more, have been reflected in this single poem with 8 stanzas. I cordially invite you to read the poem in Swahili and its translation in English. Hopefully we have a fruitful discussion about the Africa we want.
TUUNGANE KUTOKOMEZA UKATILI
1.Ukatili jambo fedhui, nayo amani poteza,
Uovu yake maudhui, jamii nayo pataoza,
Maziwa yaona tui, mifumo nayo dumaza,
Tushikamane pamoja, kutokomeza ukatili.
2.Kutoona mambo kiutu, mikabala dume weka,
Wakike elimu katu, kiume elimu waka,
Tutafika kwa hivi vitu? utengano kuuweka,
Tushikamane pamoja, kutokomeza ukatili.
3.Wazee siseme kitu, mila desturi kupaka,
Wanawake kwao si kitu, kandamiza mila weka,
Ukeketaji ita zetu, kuozwa nako fanyika,
Tushikamane pamoja, kutokomeza ukatili.
4.Elimu kitendawili, jinsia yao kuponza,
Jambo hili pilipili, wazazi kutolifunza,
Elimu ni wote wawili, kiume kike kufunza,
Tushikamane pamoja, kutokomeza ukatili.
5.Uongozi swala upili, si wote waweza anza,
Kasema nani jambo hili? mbona mnawaza kifunza?
Shirikisha wote si katili, neemesha jamii kwanza,
Tushikamane pamoja, kutokomeza ukatili.
6.Wazazi rai iwe moto, watoto wetu kuwajuza,
Yalo adili na si ufito, kuwajenga na kuwakuza,
Watapita salama pito, ufidhuni kutowaza,
Tushikamane pamoja, kutokomeza ukatili.
7.Serikali iwe mbele, kwa mikakati bora,
Sera za usawa kilele, tekeleza si madhara,
Amani itajaa utele, kupata yalo bora,
Tushikamane pamoja, kutokomeza ukatili.
8.Chini peni naweka, harakati kuhimiza,
Rai yenu moja weka, jambo hili tokomeza,
Umoja kuuweka, kwani ndio nguzo jaza,
Tushikamane pamoja, kutokomeza ukatili.
LET US UNITE TO END VIOLENCE (English Translation by Dyoniz Kindata)
1.Violence is an enemy, as a result the peace is lost,
It is characterized by evil content, the society will decay,
Milk looks like coconut sauce, which stunts the system,
Let us unite to end violence.
2.Not seeing things as human, spearhead the patriarchal system,
Refusing to educate women, promoting men to be educated,
Will we attain our goals with this mentality? When separation of people be the topic,
Let us unite to end violence.
3.Elders say nothing about it, they insist to conserve the traditions,
To them, women mean nothing, their habit is to put customs that suppress women,
Women must undergo circumcision, and be married to someone,
Let us unite to end violence.
4.Education to women is just like a riddle, it is because of their sex,
This crucial thing, parents speak nothing about it,
But education is for both men and women,
Let us unite to end violence.
5.Leadership is another thing, not all can manage it,
Who said that? Why are you thinking like a worm?
To engage all of us is not a bad thing, that will make the society prosper,
Let us unite to end violence.
6.Parents should keep in touch with their children,
Good things and not bad things, that will be a nice upbringing,
In that way children will grow wisely,
Let us unite to end violence.
7.Government should be at the forefront, advocating these issues with good strategies,
Equality policies should be considered and implemented,
Later on, we will be able to witness abundance of peace and good things happening,
Let us unite to end violence.
8.Now I put down my pen, to put more forces on activist movements,
You have to speak one language, to end this violence,
Let us not loose unity because it is a pillar of success,
Let us unite to end violence.