Ali Bu'ul

Ali Bu'ul (Somali: Cali Bucul), was a famous Somali poet, military leader and sultan from the 19th century originating from Somaliland and Djibouti. Renown for his short lined poems who were in vogue before the early 20th century. Many of his poems are still known today

History
Originally from the Aden Yonis section of the Makahil Samaron (Gadabursi). A renown poet from the 19th century 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 in Awdal, Somaliland.

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 renown 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.

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



Here is where he coined the term '"Guulwade", which Somalis still use up to this day and especially during Somalia's revolutionary council years A fraction of the poem illustrated in the Gadabursi script translated as:

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.