Ali Bu'ul

{{short description|19th century Somali poet and military leader}}

{{more footnotes|date=July 2020}}

{{Infobox person

| honorific_prefix = Sultan

| name = Ali Bu'ul Cali Bucul

| image =

| imagesize =

| caption =

| birth_date =

| birth_place = Awdal, Somaliland

| death_date =

| nationality =

| occupation = Poet, military leader and Sultan

| title =

| children = Sultan Omar (Suldaan Cumar)

| father =

}}

Ali Bu'ul (Somali: Cali Bucul), was a famous Somali poet, military leader and sultan from the 19th century originating from Somaliland and Djibouti. Renowned for his short lined poems who were in vogue before the early 20th century. Many of his poems are still known today{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5ia-sbx3h1YC&q=cali+bucul|title=Aspetti dell'espressione artistica in Somalia: scrittura e letteratura, strumenti musicali, ornamenti della persona, intaglio del legno|date=1987|publisher=Università di Roma La Sapienza|language=it}}{{Cite book|last=Abdullahi|first=Mohamed Diriye|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2Nu918tYMB8C&q=ali+bu%27ul+poet&pg=PA80|title=Culture and Customs of Somalia|date=2001|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=978-0-313-31333-2|language=en}}

History

Originally from the Aden Yonis section of the Makahil Samaron (Gadabursi). A renowned 19th century poet among the ranks of Adan Gurey and Mahamed Abdille Hassan (Sayidka), Ali Bu'ul has produced numerous poems that still to this day are read and presented at gatherings. He was born in the district of Awdal, Somaliland. {{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9TbWAAAAMAAJ&q=cali+bucul|title=Suugaan: Fasalka labaad|date=1977|publisher=Wasaaradda Waxbarashada iyo Barbaarinta|language=so}}

He opposed the Abyssinians from taxing the Somali inhabitant in current area we know Somali region of Ethiopia. He was celebrated for his geeraar (a Somali term indicating a shorter version of poetry, shorter lines compared to conventional poetry or gabay). Geeraars are traditionally mostly recited during challenging times of war and battle. The Gadabursi were known for praising their horses in their geeraar and echoing their name. Ali Bu'ul as a military leader he met the Sayyid or Mahamed Abdullah Hassan somewhere within the current borders the Somali region of Ethiopia. The Sayid was amazed to hear that the Gadabursi are known for praising their horses in their geeraar and echoing the horses in their names. The religious leaders Mahamed Abdullah decided to hear for himself and challenged Ali Bu'ul. They slinged insults and threats at each other. It was then that the famous poem Amaan Faras was recited by Ali Bu'ul while riding his horse, which till this day is taught in Somali schools and is widely known among the Somali people.

File:Sultan_Omar_Tree.jpg

The poem is titled Amaan Faras which translated to In Praise of My Horse:

Gamaan Waa Magic Guudoo, Sanga aan Gabanayniyo

Magaankii Godanaa iyo, Geenyadii Dhadigayd baa,

Gabigood ka Dhaxaysoo, Haybta way isku Gartaane,

Guulwadaw Faraskaygu, Hadii aan Galadiisiyo,

Gedahiisa Tilmaamo, Waa Gal Maaxanayoo,

Gaadhi Mayno Xogtiisoo, Waan ka Gaab-Sanayaaye,

Rag allow Gaf Miyaa ?? Almis Goodiyadeediyo

Bulaxaar Guduunkeediyo, Golihii Harawaad iyo

Gureys Reeraha Yaala, Galab Buu isku MaraayeMa Daruur Gudgudaa ??

Gabangoodi Abaaroo, Dadku Guunyo ka Quustay

Geel Buu soo Tu’iyaaye, Ma Gob reera Dhacdaa

Goluhuu Miranaayay, Gurxan Dhowrta Fogeeyiyo

Gooh Wayn Baa ka Baxayee, Ma Aar Goosn Wataa ??

Golihii ku Xidhnaa, Nacab soo Gardaraystiyo

Gaas Laxaadliyo Guutiyo, Guluf Weerar ku Qaadiyo

Gaado Goonya Wareegiyo, Guhaad Buu ku Xijaaboo

Rugtiisa Ma Gaydoo, Aad baa loogu Gamaaye

Ma Ganuun Nin Dhamaa ?? Gudcur Roob Gibil Saarayoo

Gufaacadiisiyo Caydhka, Naftaydii Gilgilaysa

Tuuga soo Gabanaaya, Laydhiisuu ka Gartaaye

Ma guhaan Garab daar loo, Faalka Guun ku Noqdaa ??

Hal’garaadka Guntiisiyo, Guudka buu ka Cadaadee

Ma Galool Ubaxlaa ?? Fanku suu u Dhitoobay

Ma aroos Dhumuc Waynoo, Duleedkuun Dhacandiidoo

Dhiinle Loo Alyayaa ?? Tagoogaa Dhanbacaada

Ma Libaax Dhalanteedoo, Cad Geel Dhuunyanayaa

Dhasalaalaq Ciyaarka, Ma dhalaan Rugtii Joogaa

Soo Dhaandhaansada Uurkoo, Dhibic Roob Helaybaa ?

Sayntiisuu ka Cisiine, Ma Sayruuq la Ganaa

Afartiisa Cagood iyo, Cududaa Dib u Laabiga

Ma Camoodiga Haadoo, Samadaa ku Carceerayoo

Meel casaanle Arkaayo, Hoos U Caaridayaa ?

Halka Lowgiyo Laabtiyo, Ladanow Badhi Dhawrkiyo

Leemaaduhu iska Galeenbaa, Ladnaan Loogu Gamaaye

Ma Aroos Ladan Baa ? Helmiyay oo Helmiyay oo helmiyay

Oo ammaantiisii Heli Waayee, Hoosiisow Midabkaagu

Ma Habeynkiyo Waagoo

File:Ali Bu'ul (Cali Bucul) Poem.jpg

Here is where he coined the term '"Guulwade", which Somalis still use up to this day and especially during Somalia's revolutionary council years{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9TbWAAAAMAAJ&q=Cali+Bucul|title=Suugaan: Fasalka labaad|date=1977|publisher=Wasaaradda Waxbarashada iyo Barbaarinta|language=so|quote=Cali Bucul: Amaan Faras}} A fraction of the poem illustrated in the Gadabursi script translated as:{{Cite book|last=Abdullahi|first=Mohamed Diriye|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2Nu918tYMB8C&q=ali+bu%27ul+poet&pg=PA80|title=Culture and Customs of Somalia|date=2001|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=978-0-313-31333-2|language=en}}

From the seaside of Bulahar

to the corner of the Almis mountain

and Harawe of the pools

Hargeisa of the Gob trees

My horse reaches all that in one afternoon

Is it not like a scuddling cloud?

From its pen

A huge roar is heard

Is it not like a lion leading a pride?

In the open plains

It makes the camels kneel down

Is it not like an expert camel-rustler?

Its mane and tail has white tufts on the top

Is it not as beautiful as a galool tree abloom?

Another famous poem by Ali Bu'ul is Guulside, which translates to Victory-Bearer, here is an extract from the poem:

Guulsidow faraskayga.

Hadii aan gallaaddsiisiyo.

Gedihiisa tilmaamo.

Waa gal maxaanaya oo.

Gaadhimayno xogtiisa oo.

Waan ka gaabsanayaaye.

Rag allow gef miyaa?.

Almis gooddiyadeediyo.

Galihii harawaadiyo.

Gureys beelaha yaalla.

Galab buu isku maraaye.

Ma daruud gudgudaa?

Gabangoobi abaar ah oo.

Dadku guunyo ka quustay.

Geel bu soo tu'iyaayee.

Ma gob reera dhacdaa?

Galuhuu miranaayo.

Gurxan dhawrta fogeeyiyo.

this particular poem alliterates echoing the horse's name.{{Cite book|last=Saeed|first=John|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AWhCAAAAQBAJ&q=Cali+Bucul&pg=PA262|title=Somali|date=1999-11-15|publisher=John Benjamins Publishing|isbn=978-90-272-8307-8|language=en}}

References