Utenzi
Encyclopedia
Utenzi or utend̠i is a form of narrative poetry in Swahili
. Its name derives from the fact that it usually describes heroic deeds (utendi, meaning 'act' or 'deed', is derived from the Swahili verb ku-tenda 'to do'). Well-known examples of utenzi are the Utendi wa Tambuka
by Bwana Mwengo (one of the earliest known literary works in Swahili, dated 1728), the Utenzi wa Shufaka
, and the Utenzi wa vita vya Uhud (the epic of the battle of Uhud) compiled around 1950 by Haji Chum. Reciting utenzi is a popular pastime on wedding
s and other ceremonies and feasts; often, specialized narrators are invited to do this.
Utenzi verse form consists of four-line stanza
s, with each line having eight syllables. The last syllables of the first three lines rhyme with each other, while the fourth line has a rhyme that is constant throughout the whole of the epic. This last rhyme thus serves to tie all stanzas of the epic together. Within a line of eight syllabes there are no further meter
requirements. The verse form can be illustrated by the first stanza of the Utend̠i wa Tambuka):
The first three lines all end in -bu. The last syllable of the fourth line ends in the vowel a, and this sound is found at the end of every stanza of the poem. When recited, this last syllable is sustained for some time and given emphasis.
Swahili language
Swahili or Kiswahili is a Bantu language spoken by various ethnic groups that inhabit several large stretches of the Mozambique Channel coastline from northern Kenya to northern Mozambique, including the Comoro Islands. It is also spoken by ethnic minority groups in Somalia...
. Its name derives from the fact that it usually describes heroic deeds (utendi, meaning 'act' or 'deed', is derived from the Swahili verb ku-tenda 'to do'). Well-known examples of utenzi are the Utendi wa Tambuka
Utendi wa Tambuka
Utend̠i wa Tambuka or Utenzi wa Tambuka , also known as Kyuo kya Hereḳali , is an epic poem in the Swahili language dated 1728...
by Bwana Mwengo (one of the earliest known literary works in Swahili, dated 1728), the Utenzi wa Shufaka
Utenzi wa Shufaka
Utenzi wa Shufaka is an utenzi in Swahili literature. It is composed of 285 stanzas of four lines of eight-syllables each. The poet-narrator of utenzi offers details of his lineage but never identifies himself.The only old manuscript of the poem known is held in the library of the German...
, and the Utenzi wa vita vya Uhud (the epic of the battle of Uhud) compiled around 1950 by Haji Chum. Reciting utenzi is a popular pastime on wedding
Wedding
A wedding is the ceremony in which two people are united in marriage or a similar institution. Wedding traditions and customs vary greatly between cultures, ethnic groups, religions, countries, and social classes...
s and other ceremonies and feasts; often, specialized narrators are invited to do this.
Utenzi verse form consists of four-line stanza
Stanza
In poetry, a stanza is a unit within a larger poem. In modern poetry, the term is often equivalent with strophe; in popular vocal music, a stanza is typically referred to as a "verse"...
s, with each line having eight syllables. The last syllables of the first three lines rhyme with each other, while the fourth line has a rhyme that is constant throughout the whole of the epic. This last rhyme thus serves to tie all stanzas of the epic together. Within a line of eight syllabes there are no further meter
Meter (poetry)
In poetry, metre is the basic rhythmic structure of a verse or lines in verse. Many traditional verse forms prescribe a specific verse metre, or a certain set of metres alternating in a particular order. The study of metres and forms of versification is known as prosody...
requirements. The verse form can be illustrated by the first stanza of the Utend̠i wa Tambuka):
- Bisimillahi kut̠ubu
- yina la Mola Wahhabu
- Arraḥamani eribu
- na Arraḥimu ukyowa
The first three lines all end in -bu. The last syllable of the fourth line ends in the vowel a, and this sound is found at the end of every stanza of the poem. When recited, this last syllable is sustained for some time and given emphasis.