ushairi
English meaning: Poetry
Swahili Definition
(Kiswahili)Sanaa ya lugha inayotumia mizani, mdundo na picha za kisanaa kuwasilisha hisia na mawazo.
English Definition
Literary art using rhythmic and metaphorical language. Swahili poetry (ushairi) is one of East Africa's greatest literary traditions — with strict prosodic forms (including the utenzi/tendi epic form and shairi quatrain). Classical Swahili poetry has been written for centuries on the coast. Modern poets like Euphrase Kezilahabi (Tanzania) broke from tradition to create free verse. Swahili oral poetry (ngoma, taarab music) blends music and verse.
Example
“Ushairi wa Kiswahili una miundo maalum ya kisanaa ikiwemo utenzi na mashairi ya beti nne.”
In English: “Swahili poetry has special artistic forms including utenzi epics and four-line shairi stanzas.”
Synonyms
- mashairi
- tungo
Antonyms / Opposites
- nathari
Literary Heritage
“Mashairi ni hazina ya lugha, yamehifadhi hekima ya vizazi.”
“Poetry is the treasury of language; it has preserved the wisdom of generations.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- Kiswahili
- Swahili
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Niger-Congo
- Speakers
- 100M