Dan Sakkwato,
Aw shucks! You don't have to thank me for doing my job! Interestingly, I am a scientist, but deep into what I call Scientific Hausa Cultural Studies - where the analytical methodology of science are brought to bear on study of cultures. In the process of this theorizing, I came across a lot of cultural re-awakenings. Your posts have been most enriching for me too, and we are thinking of downloading the posts and using them as a basis for tutorial in one of our doctorate classes here in the university (although I don't belong to the Arts faculty! Go figure!)
So I look forward to those goodies you promise when you return home. Allah Ya dawo da kai lafiya.
In the meantime, I was thinking about musicians (lyricists) and poets. What distinguishes one from the other? A young colleague I am helping on with his doctoral thesis on Hausa Music suggests that words to music are sung, while poetry is WRITTEN first, and then sung later, if at all sung.
I was fascinated by this division, as I thought it is the lyrical meter and structure that determines which is which, rather than expressive form. Although not written, there are many musical lyrics that are just sheer poetry. In particular, Dankwairos's songs. My favorite is this exerpt from GARNAKAKI
"Dan bajumi bujumi ne
dan giwa giwa ne
Tabbata kuzu..
..kuzu zai haifawa
Ko jiya na dan burgu da farin bindi nai..."
Masterpiece, especially when you remember how they sung it in perfect lyrical form. Sigh.
So back to the discussion. Two things to ponder about:
1. What distinguishes musical lyrics from poetry?
2. What musician-poets whose poetic lyrics inspire you? Let us read them!!!
Abdalla
BTW, I will be away from my computer for the next 3 to 4 days, and in a place where I will have NO access to the net (although I will try). So if you did not hear from me, don't worry, I will respond to all posts when I log back on!