Sadex kaaga digaa
"This is a work song used in the nomadic areas in Somalia. It is sung when pounding grain and it goes like this…" -Midnimo
Sadex kaaga digaa
I Warn You of Three Men
Work Song
Work Song
(Somali)
(English)
Saddex kaaga digaa
Kaaga dayriyayaa
Kaaga diin dhigayaa
Ninka gaaban ha guursan
Markuu geelu cadhoobo
Marqo-saarka ma gaadho
Gonduhuu ka dhayaa
Ninka dheerra ha guursan
Markay gaajo timaado
Aqalkuu is goglaa
"Waan bukaa" bu dhahaa
Ma bukee ha bukoodo
"Beerkayow" ha yidhaahdo
Biyaa ha loo kululeeyo
Ninka geesi ha guursan
Oo waxaadan u guursan
Marka geela la qaado
Gabgab buu u ordaa
Gaagidaa la dhigaa
Gabadh buu ka tagaa
Gablan buu ku badaa
Taasu waa iga taa
Tu kalaan se hayaa
Ninka waalid u roon
Ninka weedha qabow
Ninka weyso ku taal
Kaa haddaad heli weydo
Gabadhaada ahow
Iska guudad xidhnow
Taasu waa iga taa
Tu kalaan se hayaa
Adagaa Adagaa ma bir baa
Ma biriiri lab baa
Ma Barrow dhebey baa
Ma dameer lafti baa
Ma dayuus nin ahaa
Masaggooy masaggooy
Masaggooy adageey
I warn you of three men
I advise you against them.
I'm writing a charm for you. (1)
Don't marry the short man
When the camels get sores
He can't reach the back
He can only treat the hooves.
Don't marry the tall man
When hunger comes
He makes his bed,
He says, "I'm ill"
He is not really ill
Let him say, "Oh, my liver,"
And boil him some water.
Don't marry the brave man
The reason is
When the camels are stolen
He is the first into battle
And so the first to die
He leaves you a widow
And childless.
That is that,
I still have more,
A good parent
A pious man
An eloquent man,
If you can't find those
Then stay alone
And let your hair be untied.
That is that,
I still have more
How hard, how hard, is it metal?
*
*
Or a pig's bones
Or a man absent of honor?
Oh sorghum, oh sorghum
Oh, hard sorghum. (2)
Notes
(1) Against them
(2) Sorghum is a grain that's grown in Africa. It's a drought resistant grain. Somali women pound it with a big mortar and pestle and use it to make porridge and pancakes.
*We don't have a translation for these two lines. If anyone can help translate them, please email me. Thanks! Mama Lisa
Comments
According to "Folk Songs from Somalia" (collected by A.C. Xaange), this song is sung from a mother to her daughter about choosing the right type of man to marry.
Thanks!
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Thanks to Midnimo for sharing this song with us and for the translation. Check out Midnimo's Blog for Somali Music.
Mahadsanid
