Articles

Featuring Maxamed Xaashi Dhamac ‘Gaarriye’

These Poems Don’t Need A Visa

Listen to the Poetry Translation Centre’s playlist of poems from Libya, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Somalia/Somaliland and Yemen, all countries affected by Trump’s ‘Muslim ban.’

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Why do Somali poets have nicknames?

To naanays or not to naanays? Within the Somali community it is common for people to be referred to, almost exclusively, by a nickname or a naanays. So why do many poets, such as Maxamed Xaashi Dhamac (Gaarriye) and Maxamed Ibraahin Warsame (Hadraawi), have nicknames but Caasha Lul Mohamud Yusuf doesn’t?

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Some Thoughts on Co-Translating Gaarriye

W N Herbert offers a fascinating insight into how he approached co-translating Somali poetry. In this essay he describes his induction into the marvellous complexities of Somali verse and how he came to terms with the formal dexterities of Gaarriye’s ‘non-lyric’ poetry.

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‘Manchester Central ’

The Conference Room in Manchester Central Library was packed with eager listeners for this event with three of our poets and their translators. It provided a very grand setting, with panelled walls and high sash windows. By the time we kicked off it was standing room only and there must have been at least sixty people in the audience.

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‘Somali Night at the Bluecoat’

I never realised the Moon landings had such a profound and far-reaching effect. For Corsino Fortes, driving his battered Peugeot 204 from Kuito to Luanda, the moment he heard the Americans had touched down was a revelation. He stopped the car, got out, put his hands on his head and looked up at the sky.

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‘Poetry in the Bay’

Coach D. I’m sitting opposite two of the world’s greatest living poets. Gaarriye is pinching my salt and vinegar crisps. Farzaneh Khojandi is asking, through her friend and translator, Narguess Farzad, about Welsh place names. I am not being much help.

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