PROSPERING OF SOCIETY ANALYSED AND TRANSLATED BY
by: Kajubi Naimudini M.K
It
has a strong wire round it Imezungukwa kwa waya imara
And
you will heed its beauty. Na utahitaji uzuri wake.
My
society is prospering; Jamii yangu inafanikiwa;
The
labour of my society Kazi ya jamii yangu
Is
raising its welfare Inaongeza ustawi wake
And
you will heed its beauty, Na
utaguswa na uzuri wake,
With
a strong wire round it, Kwa waya ngumu uliozungushiwa,
This
building that houses Majengo haya yanayohifadhi
The
Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare.
Wizara ya Kazi na Ustawi wa Jamii.
The
building of the Ministry Majengo ya wizara hii
For
raising the society’s welfare Kwa ajili ya ustawi wa jamii
Has
a strong wire round it; Yamezungushiwa waya imara
The
people who are leading my society Watu
wanaoiongoza jamii yangu
In
its struggles to prosper Kwa juhudi za kuwezesha kufanikiwa
Work
inside the strong wire fence, Wanafanya
kazi ndani ya ukuta imara wa waya,
And
we are outside. Na sisi tuko nje yake.
And
you will take heed of its beauty Na utaguswa na uzuri wake
And
it has a strong wire round it Na umezungushiwa waya imara
And
its compound is fabulously decorated Na maeneo yake yamepambwa kwa ustadi
With
Volvos, Mercedes, Peugeots, Magari ya Volvo, Mercedes, Peugeots,
Gleaming
and glistening. Yanang'aa
na kung'aa.
Near
the building Karibu na majengo haya
Along
Livingstone Street, Kando ya barabara ya Livingstone,
The
prostitute Mwanamke kahaba
Squats
in the moonlight Huchuchumaa kwenye mwangaza wa mwezi
Awaiting
a helpful customer: Akisubiri mteja wa kumsaidia:
He
will give her money Atampa
pesa
And she will spin her
waist under his weight Na atazungusha kiuno chake kwenye mzigo wake
And
relieve him of frustration. Na kumpunguzia hasira
yake.
At
least temporarily. Angalau
kwa muda.
Next
to this prostitute’s slum Kando ya mahame ya kahaba
huyo
Is
an old dirty house, Kuna nyumba
chakavu na chafu
With
leaning walls Kuta zake zimechoka
Fit
residence for rats. Ambapo panya
wanakaa.
It
overflowed last year Mwaka jana
ilifurika
That
latrine of this house; Lile kalo la choo lilifurika;
Indeed, Kweli,
I
the residents of this house Mimi wakaazi wa nyumba hii
Have
anything in their hands. Hatuna chochote
mikononi mwetu.
They
have definitely stopped Wameacha kabisa
Urinating
and defecating. Kukojoa
na Kunya
This
old dirty house leaks; Hii nyumba chafu inavuja;
The
other day Siku nyingine
When
there was a heavy downpour Wakati mvua kubwa iliponyesha
The
house turned into a pool – Nyumba iligeuka kuwa bwawa -
Whether
it was due to leaking, Iwe ni kwa sababu ya kuvuja,
Or
where it is built,
Au mahali
ilipojengwa,
Or
the way it is built, Au namna ilivyojengwa,
I
can’t tell. Siwezi kusema.
The
residents call it their shelter, Wakaazi wanaiita makao yao,
But
it can bring their doom any minute. Lakini inaweza kuleta uharibifu wao wakati
wowote.
The
residents of this house:
Wakaazi wa nyumba hii:
Two
poor harridans Wawili ni wazee masikini
And
three young men.
Na vijana watatu.
The
harridans Wazee hao
Depend
on the rent for existence; Wanategemea kodi ya nyumba kwa kuishi;
The
young men pay the rent.
Vijana hao ndio wanaolipa kodi.
One
of them Mmoja wao
Is
a teacher in the city. Ni mwalimu katika mji.
Another Mwingine
Works
with the blanket manufacturing company,
Anafanya kazi na kampuni ya kutengeneza blanketi,
The
third is a bus conductor
Wa tatu ni kondakta wa basi
With
the company offering transport Na kampuni hiyo hutoa usafiri
To
those residents of the city Kwa wakazi wa mji huo
Who
have no Volvos, Ambao hawana magari ya Volvo,
No
Mercedes, Haina
Mercedes,
No
Peugeots. Wala Peugeot.
Along
Lumumba Road, Kando ya barabara ya Lumumba,
Near
the magnificent building
Karibu na jengo kubwa
Which
house
Ambalo ni makao
The
Ministry for Labour and Social Welfare,
Wa Wizara ya Kazi na Maendeleo ya Jamii,
Is
the film company building,
Kuna jengo la kampuni ya
filamu,
On
the pavement Kwenye lami
Three
beggars: Wako watu watatu ombaomba:
Father,
mother and daughter Baba, mama na binti
Lie
with outstretched hands
Wamelala na mikono yao wakiwa
wameinua
Leprosy
disfiguring their human shapes. Kisonono kikiwaletea ubadhirifu wa miili yao.
Mnazi
Mmoja gardens Mbuga za Mnazi Mmoja
Are
near this building Ziko karibu na jengo hilo
Which
houses the Ministry Ambalo ni makao
That
is promoting my society’s welfare. Ya Wizara Iliyojitolea kwa maendeleo ya jamii
yangu.
At
one cool spot in the gardens,
Kwenye eneo lenye kivuli kizuri
katika bustani,
A
group of young men sit,
Kuna kundi la vijana
Puffing
their evening dose of bhang. Wakisukuma moshi wa bangi yao usiku.
It
was on this very spot
Ni katika eneo hilo hilo
That
the blind woman
Ambapo mwanamke kipofu
And her
twelve year old daughter –guide Na binti
yake wa miaka 12 -takriban
Were raped yesterday. Walibakwa jana.
Stand by
the prostitute’s slum, Simama karibu na mahame ya makahaba,
Or by the
rats-cum-human residence, Au
karibu na makazi ya panya-watu,
Or on the
film company building pavement, Au
kwenye lami ya jengo la kampuni ya filamu,
Or on this
cool Mnazi Mmoja spot, Au kwenye kiwanja tulivu cha Mnazi Mmoja kilichopendeza,
And, for
sure, Na, kwa hakika,
You will
see the building Utayaona majengo
That
houses the Ministry Yaliyo zingira Wizara
For Labour
and Social Welfare. Ni Ya Kazi na Maendeleo ya
Jamii.
It has a
strong wire round it Imezungushiwa waya
imara
And you
will head its beauty Na utasikia uzuri wake
INTRODUCTION
The
poem is a vivid portrayal of the stark contrast between the rich and poor in
society, set against the backdrop of a building housing the Ministry of Labour
and Social Welfare. The speaker draws attention to the strong wire fence that
surrounds the building, separating those who work inside from those outside.
While the compound of the building is beautifully decorated with luxury cars,
nearby are slums and dilapidated houses where poverty and desperation are
evident. The poem explores themes of social inequality, poverty, and corruption
in society, painting a stark picture of the realities of life for many people.
THEMANTIC ANALYSIS
The
poem describes the stark contrast between the affluent and poor in society,
highlighting the vast inequality that exists. Through various scenes and
characters, the poet brings out different themes that reflect the social and
economic struggles faced by different members of society.
1. POVERTY:
The
theme of poverty is prevalent throughout the poem, highlighting the stark
contrasts in the society depicted. The prostitutes and beggars are juxtaposed
against the luxury cars and gleaming buildings. This theme is evident in the
following courted verses:
-
"Near the building / Along
Livingstone Street, / The prostitute / Squats in the moonlight" (lines
14-17)
-
"Next to this prostitute’s slum / Is
an old dirty house, / With leaning walls / Fit residence for rats"
(lines 22-25)
-
"On the pavement / Three beggars: /
Father, mother and daughter / Lie with outstretched hands" (lines
43-46)
2. CLASSES:
The
theme of classes is closely related to poverty and is also evident throughout
the poem. The stark contrast between the haves and have-nots is portrayed
through the luxury cars and buildings of the Ministry workers, as well as the
rundown living conditions of the poor. This theme is evident in the following
courted verses:
-
"With Volvos, Mercedes, Peugeots, /
Gleaming and glistening" (lines 18-19)
-
"The harridans / Depend on the rent
for existence; / The young men pay the rent." (lines 33-35)
-
"The third is a bus conductor / With
the company offering transport / To those residents of the city / Who have no
Volvos, / No Mercedes, / No Peugeots." (lines 39-42)
3. MARGINALISATION:
The
theme of marginalization is also evident in the poem, as the poor and disadvantaged
are often overlooked and ignored by those in power. The prostitutes, beggars,
and residents of the rundown house are all marginalized members of society.
This theme is evident in the following courted verses:
-
"And we are outside." (line
15)
-
"The people who are leading my
society / In its struggles to prosper / Work inside the strong wire fence, /
And we are outside." (lines 8-11)
-
"Leprosy disfiguring their human
shapes." (line 47)
4.
DISILLUSIONMENT/DISAPPOINTMENT:
The
theme of disillusionment or disappointment is evident in the poem, as the
narrator expresses disappointment in the state of their society. Despite the
efforts of the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, the poor are still
suffering and marginalized. This theme is evident in the following courted
verses:
-
"And its compound is fabulously
decorated" (line 20)
-
"The film company building, / On the
pavement / Three beggars: / Father, mother and daughter / Lie with outstretched
hands" (lines 40-44)
-
"It can bring their doom any minute."
(line 31)
5. MORAL DECAY
(IMMORALITY):
The
theme of moral decay or immorality is evident in the poem, particularly in the
portrayal of the prostitutes and the use of drugs. This theme is evident in the
following courted verses:
-
"The prostitute / Squats in the
moonlight / Awaiting a helpful customer" (lines 16-18)
-
"A group of young men sit, / Puffing
their evening dose of bhang." (lines 48-49)
-
"It was on this very spot / That the
blind woman / And her twelve year old daughter –guide / Were raped yesterday."
(lines 50-53)
6. BETRAYAL:
The
theme of betrayal is evident in the poem, particularly in the portrayal of the
Ministry of Labour and Social
7. STRUGGLES OF THE
WORKING CLASS.
The
people leading society's struggles to prosper work inside the strong wire fence
of the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, indicating that they are
separated from the people they serve. The young men sitting at Mnazi Mmoja
gardens puffing their evening dose of bhang represents the frustration and
disillusionment of young people in society. The courted verses that support
this theme are:
"The people who are leading my
society
In its struggles to prosper
Work inside the strong wire fence,
And we are outside."
"At one cool spot in the
gardens,
A group of young men sit,
Puffing their evening dose of
bhang."
GUIDING QUESTIONS
1. Comment on language
use
The
language use in the poem is generally straightforward and simple, but there are
instances where the poet employs vivid imagery and figurative language to
convey deeper meanings. For example, in the lines "The building of the Ministry / For raising the society’s welfare
/ Has a strong wire round it," the use of metaphor helps to highlight
the physical and symbolic barriers that separate the ruling class from the rest
of society. Similarly, in the lines "Fit
residence for rats. / It overflowed last year / That latrine of this
house," the use of vivid imagery conveys the dire living conditions of
the marginalized and impoverished members of society.
The
poet also makes use of repetition to emphasize certain ideas and themes. For
instance, the repeated phrase "And
you will heed its beauty" serves as a reminder of the stark contrast
between the opulence and beauty of the ruling class and the poverty and
suffering of the marginalized. Additionally, the repetition of the phrase
"It has a strong wire round it"
serves as a powerful symbol of the physical and symbolic barriers that separate
the ruling class from the rest of society.
Overall,
the language use in the poem is effective in conveying the themes of social
inequality, poverty, and marginalization. The poet's use of vivid imagery and
figurative language helps to create a sense of realism and urgency, while the
repetition of certain phrases helps to emphasize key ideas and themes.
2. Comment on figures of
speech
1. Imagery:
The poem makes use of vivid and often
disturbing imagery to convey its themes. For example, the description of the "prostitute / Squatting in the
moonlight / Awaiting a helpful customer" (lines 17-19) paints a clear
picture of the poverty and desperation faced by some members of society.
Another example can be seen in the description of the old, dirty house "Fit residence for rats" (line
24), which creates a sense of decay and hopelessness.
2. Symbolism:
The poem makes use of a number of symbols to convey its themes. For example,
the "strong wire round" the
Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare building (lines 1 and 5) can be seen as a
symbol of the divide between the ruling class and the rest of society.
Similarly, the "Volvo, Mercedes,
Peugeots" (line 11) parked in the compound of the building can be seen
as a symbol of wealth and power.
3. Satire:
The poem makes use of satire to critique the government and those in power. For
example, the description of the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare building
as a place where "The people who are
leading my society / In its struggles to prosper / Work inside the strong wire
fence / And we are outside" (lines 5-8) highlights the disconnect
between the government and the people they are meant to serve.
4. Irony:
The poem makes use of irony to highlight the gap between appearances and
reality. For example, the description of the "fabulously decorated" compound of the Ministry of Labour
and Social Welfare building (line 10) stands in stark contrast to the poverty
and desperation described elsewhere in the poem.
5. Euphemism:
The poem makes use of euphemism to soften the blow of some of the more
unpleasant descriptions. For example, the description of the prostitute as "awaiting a helpful customer"
(line 18) glosses over the reality of her situation.
6. Parallelism:
The poem makes use of parallelism to emphasize its themes. For example, the
repetition of the phrase "And you
will heed its beauty" (lines 2 and 8) emphasizes the idea that
appearances can be deceiving. Similarly, the repetition of the phrase "It has a strong wire round it"
(lines 1, 5, and 10) emphasizes the idea of division and exclusion.
3. What type of the poem
is this?
The
poem is a social commentary poem, which critiques the society and highlights
the issues within it. The entire poem is a critique of the societal issues
prevalent in the society, such as poverty, marginalization, disillusionment,
and moral decay.
4. What is the tone and
mood of the poem?
The
tone of the poem is critical and disillusioned, while the mood is somber and
dark. The use of dark and somber imagery and language creates a mood of
disillusionment and despair.
5. Who is the persona and
how do you know?
The
persona is not explicitly stated in the poem, but the speaker is assumed to be
a member of the society, who is disillusioned with the state of affairs in the
society. The use of first-person plural pronouns like "we" and "our"
suggests that the speaker is a member of the society.
6. What is the message of
the poem?
The
message of the poem is a critique of the societal issues prevalent in the
society, such as poverty, marginalization, disillusionment, and moral decay.
The poem highlights the stark contrast between the opulence of the ruling class
and the abject poverty and suffering of the marginalized sections of the
society. The use of vivid imagery and language to describe the societal issues
prevalent in the society, such as poverty, marginalization, and moral decay.
7. Show how the poem is
relevance to your society?
The
poem is relevant to many societies, including my society, where the issues of
poverty, marginalization, and moral decay are still prevalent. The poem calls
for action and highlights the urgent need for change and social justice. The
societal issues highlighted in the poem, such as poverty, marginalization, and
moral decay, are still prevalent in many societies, including my society. The
poem's call for change and social justice is relevant and urgent in the current
times.