Dagbani Poems (Yɛlitɔɣitaɣimalisi)
A poem is a piece of writing in which the words are chosen for their beauty and sound and are carefully arranged, often in short lines that rhyme. (Source: Collins Dictionary).
This lesson looks at Dagbani poems and the moral lessons they convey. Learners are expected to be able to 1) recite a poem in Dagbani and 2) discuss the moral lessons in the poem. Some examples of Dagbani poems includes;
- Bia
- M ba yɛligu
- A ma
- Gbuɣinli
- Zamba
- Buɣili noo
Let’s look at a sample poem titled “M Ba Yɛligu”, by Tia Sulemana.
M ba yɛligu
M ba daa yɛli ma
Ka m ma yɛli ma
M-maan labi yɛli ma
Ni n zom ʒiri
Ni ʒiri dihiri nira vi
Ka labisiri bilichini nyaaŋa
Ka n ti yiɣisina
Ka ʒɛmana kana
Ka ʒiri mali nyɔri
Ka yɛlimaŋli kɔŋ nyɔri
Ooi! Ooi! Bɔ ʒɛmana m-bɔŋɔ?
Ka ʒiri ti deei zaashee
Ka yɛlimaŋli kɔŋ zaashee
Tɔ amaa, ʒiri yi kuli kɔri vuɣusi
Yɛlimaŋli m-birita
Sitira laɣim kɔbiga,
tampiɛlli n-daa gari
Dinzuɣu ʒiri yi laɣim kɔbiga,
yɛlimaŋli n-gari.
Discussing the poem “M Ba Yɛligu”
- Key words in the poem
| Dagbani | English |
| Ʒiri | Lies |
| Yɛlmaŋli => truth | Truth |
| Ʒɛmana | Generations |
| Vuɣisi | Ridges for planting crops |
| Sitira | Clothes |
Moral Lessons from the Poem
– The need to listen to the words of wisdom of the elderly
– The need to embrace truthfulness and eschew telling lies
– Perseverance with being truthful
– Truth would always triumph even if it would delay
Importance of Dagbani Poems
– Promotes Dagbani culture
– Teaches moral lessons
– Entertains us
– Helps in developing oral skills
Lesson By: Musah Fuseini
