Buraanbur

Buraanbur is a poetic form within traditional Somali poetry. It is usually composed by women. This traditional somali dance has Its origin in puntland, Somalia.

Overview

Somalis have a long tradition of poetry, with several well-developed forms of verse. Of these, the gabay (epic poem) is considered the height of poetic attainment, and is usually composed by men. Its female counterpart is the buraanbur, which is of a lighter measure (miisaan).[1] It serves as the highest women's literary genre, and is subdivided into the hoyal, hoobeeyo and sitaat (religious song) verse forms.[2]

The buraanbur traditionally served as an important and powerful medium used by women throughout Greater Somalia to share their thoughts, experiences and aspirations.[2] Such poems are typically centered on topics relating to females, including child-rearing and marital relations.[3] The poems can also deal with social and political issues in general, and are sometimes accompanied by drums, clapping, and dancing.[4]

Buraanbur has traditionally been an important part of local culture in Greater Somalia. Historically, the verse form was employed during the independence movement. It continues to play an important role by conveying political, social and educational messages and general awareness raising. Poems composed by Halima Godane, Raha Ayaanle Guled and Hawa Jibril were powerful instruments in mobilizing constituencies against the colonial authorities. In this vein, Jibril explained why women joined the struggle against colonialism:

We wanted to break away from our seclusion,
We wanted to have the responsibility,
To express our feelings and our views,
We wanted to show our concern for our country[5]

See also

References
  1. Mohamed Diriye Abdullahi, Culture and Customs of Somalia, (Greenwood Press: 2001), p.75-76
  2. Wieringa, edited by Saskia (1995). Subversive women: historical experiences of gender and resistance (Second impression [without index]. ed.). London, Angleterre: Zed. p. 174. ISBN 1856493180.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  3. South Asia Bulletin. 16 (2): 82. 1996. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. "Ufahamu". 10. 1981: 116. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  5. Jama 1994, op. cit., p. 179.
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