Poems for Births, Deaths and Marriages
The new year suggested a podcast about fresh beginnings, renewal and rebirth. Unfortunately, this is impossible because all poems are about death.
All podcasts featuring Maxamed Xasan ‘Alto’
Nature Poetry and The Climate Emergency
In the shadow of the climate emergency poems about the natural world take on a new significance, poems by Bejan Matur, Asha Lul Mohamud Yusuf and Yu Yoyo.
Death Of A Princess by Maxamed Xaashi Dhamac ‘Gaarriye’
‘Gaarriye’ is regarded as one of the most important Somali poets of the twentieth century. Listen to this poem translated by W N Herbert and Maxamed ‘Alto’ Xasan.
A Shout by Asha Lul Mohamud Yusuf
Listen to ‘A Shout’ by leading Somali poet Asha Lul Mohamud Yusuf, translated by Said Jama Hussein, Maxamed Xasan ‘Alto’ and the UK poet Clare Pollard.
The Scab by Asha Lul Mohamud Yusuf
Listen to ‘The Scab’ by Somali poet Asha Lul Mohamud Yusuf, from her award-winning collection ‘The Sea-Migrations, Translated by UK poet Clare Pollard.
Politics by Jaamac Kadiye Cilmi
This week’s Poem Podcast is from Somali poet Jaamac Kadiye Cilmi. The poem ‘Politics’ is read first in English translation by Sarah Maguire and then in Somali by Jaamac himself.
The Killing Of The She - Camel By Maxamed Ibraahin Warsame ‘Hadraawi’
‘The Killing Of The She - Camel’ by Maxamed Ibraahin Warsame ‘Hadraawi’ from Somalia/Somaliland, read in English by WN Herbert and in Somali by Hadraawi.
Our Land by Asha Lul Mohamud Yusuf
Asha Lul Mohamud Yusuf‘s ‘Our land’ is a classic ‘pastoral’ poem, nostalgic for the beauty and harmony of the Somali countryside. Translated by Clare Pollard Asha Lul’s longtime collaborator.
The Mark by Asha Lul Mohamud Yusuf
‘The Mark’ by Asha Lul Mohamud Yusuf is addressed directly to the men ruling of Somalia / Somaliland, urging them to find peace, to bring clans together and to raise the country up.
Beloved by Asha Lul Mohamud Yusuf
Beloved by Asha Lul Mohamud Yusuf is a passionate love poem! It is a jiifto, one of the many Metric forms of Somali poetry made up of short lines.
Orphan by Asha Lul Mohamad Yusuf
‘Orphan’ by Asha Lul Mohamad Yusuf from Somalia/Somaliland. The poem is read first in English translation by Clare Pollard and then in Somali by Asha herself.
‘Taste’ by Asha Lul Mohamad Yusuf
This poem is called ‘Taste’ by Asha Lul Mohamud Yusuf from Somalia/Somaliland. The poem is read first in English translation by Clare Pollard and then in Somali by Asha.
Never Forget! by Saado Cabdi Amarre
Saado Cabdi Amarre is a poet whose emotional verse laments the senselessness of the successive civil wars that have affected Somaliland in the aftermath of its secession.
You Understand by Saado Cabdi Amarre
This passionate antiwar Somali poem ‘You Understand’ is read first in English translation by PTC Artistic Director Sarah Maguire and then sung in Somali by Saado Cabdi Amarre herself.
Death of a Princess by ‘Gaarriye’
Listen to ‘Death of a Princess’ by Maxamed Xaashi Dhamac ‘Gaarriye’ from Somalia. Read, poet David Harsent’s reflections on translating Gaarriye for Poetry Translation Centre’s 2005 World Poet’s Tour.