Introduction:
According to Hausa prosodists like Professor Bello Sa’id, the Arabic meter Muqtadab traditionally comes with a defect in the root of its first foot ( – – – – instead of – – – v ). In the following poem, unlike in the previously two poems I composed on the meter (‘Godiya’ and ‘Card Reader’), I have tried to keep the foot intact – without the traditional defect.
Though the defective meter resonates more with Hausa syntax, this poem, nevertheless, shows that the defect can be done away with totally if a composer wishes to.
The poem is also a poly-rhyme couplet, contrary to the mono-rhymic structure of the Hausa poem. Though unusual in Hausa, poly-rhyme couplets are common in Arabic literary compositions. The corpus juris of Arabic grammar, the Alfiyya of Ibn Malik, is an example.
Whether future Hausa composers will indulge in this violation of one of the fundamental features of Hausa poetic structure, remains to be seen, though Rahmata may not be the first.
This poem does not address Rahmata alone. As the indigenous film industry expands, more actors and actresses will be tempted – or persuaded – to cross the cultural redline – as she did. Hausaland will not remain the same. Like other hitherto closed cultures, global trends in communication will continue to break its shell, very much to our distaste.
While we remain helpless in the face of the global flood, it would not be inappropriate to remind us of its consequences and plead for moderation in such indulgence. I convey this subtly in the poem, fully acknowledging the common platform of sin and guilt which – as mortals – we share with the likes of Rahmata. In the end, the forgiveness and guidance of God that we crave for remains for them as much as it is for us.
RAHMATA
1. Sarki ga shi nai sammako
Ya Allah ka min taimako.
2. ‘Ƴar waƙa na so zan yi yau
Fata ta ta zo mun da kyau.
3. Zan tsara a kan Muƙtadab
Don ‘yar nan ta zam mai ladab.
4. Yarinya idan kin fice
Dan kyau kar ki zam kin ɓace.
5. Duk assha ki faɗa masa
Kar gobe ki zam kin rasa.
6. In niyyar ki bin duniya
Kwanan nan ki na wai-niya.
7. Don halin ta ne ɗaukaka
Bayan nan ko sai hallaka.
8. Paris har da New York daɗa
Las Vegas garin tambaɗa.
9. Tarbar ki da busa, kiɗi
Gayu sun yi caa ba faɗi.
10. Sheɗanu su na yin biki
Duk kunya su yaye miki.
11. Ba riga, zani, kallabi
Duk sunna ya zam ba ki bi.
12. Bayan kin nitse gun ɓata
Dunya ba abin tabbata.
13. Girma za ya zo ko ƙiba
In kin zo a ce, “Ke haba!”
14. Kullum sai cikin damuwa
Ba rol babu mai son zuwa.
15. ‘Yan yara da kyawun sifa
Sirara da kyawun ƙafa.
16. Su ne za a ɗauka a sa
Ke kau an gama sai ƙasa.
17. ‘Yar Fillo ina za ki ne?
Saurare ni ko ƙanƙane.
18. Vegas ba Elisha Cutbert
Sannan ba su Lacey Chadert.
19. Rachel Cook ina yau ta ke?
Mandy Moore a yau ta fake.
20. Suna duk idan ya zube
Gawa ce idan ta ruɓe.
21. Manya sun nasiha su na
Don Allah ki dawo mana.
22. ‘Yar Fillo nasiha guda
Tsoron Jallah kullum daɗa.
23. Zazzau har Kano, Jos Kwata
Fata kar ki zam kin ɓata.
24. Zam gode wa Sarkin duka
Bin sunna ki zam kin riƙa.
25. Shi laifi tudu na sani
Hau naka ka hango mini.
26. Laifi na da tarin yawa
Jinƙan Jallah ya mar yawa.
27. Laifi na ya dala yake
Fata Jallah ba bincike.
28. Ya Allah ka shiryar da mu
Zan jinƙan mu ya Rahimu.
29. Sarki Rabbi nai tambaya
Ran gobe idan an tsaya.
30. Laifi nawa har Rahmata
Yafe min, ka yafe mata.
31. Tsira kan sa Al-Mustafa
Bawan nan da kab ba Shafa.
32. Tammat za ni ƙare haka
Na gode wa Mai-ɗaukaka.
1 ga Oktoba, 2016
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Dakta Aliyu Usman Tilde sha’iri ne, tsohon malamin jami’a, ɗan siyasa kuma marubuci kan al’amuran yau da kullum. A yanzu shi ne Kwamishinan Ilimi na Jihar Bauchi.
EDITA
