Mwana Kupona Binti Msham: The Story of the Bajuni Sovereign Poetess

Mwana Kupona Binti Msham: The Sovereign Poetess (Bajuni community) (2020) by Shujaa StoriesNational Museums of Kenya

Mwana Kupona Binti Msham: The Sovereign Poetess
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Mwana Kupona Binti Msham: The Sovereign Poetess
Mwana Kupona Binti Msham was born in the 19th century, on the picturesque island of Pate. From the 13th to the 19th Centuries, Pate was the centre of the Pate Sultanate Surrounded by the Island’s Arabic and Swahili blend of exquisite architecture, fine arts, music and poetry.

It was no surprise that Mwana Kupona grew up to become one of the most eminent Swahili poets of the 19th century. She authored the poem, Utendi wa Mwana Kupona or "The Book of Mwana Kupona", which is one of the most highly regarded works in Swahili literature.

Mwana Kupona Binti Msham: The Sovereign Poetess
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Little is known about Mwana Kupona’s early life but she probably grew up like any Bajuni child, following the beliefs, practices, and values that go to shape a person of substance.

What we do know is that Mwana Kupona was special and even as she developed into an elegant young woman, her interest in poetry also grew.

Mwana Kupona Binti Msham: The Sovereign Poetess
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No sooner was she ready for marriage than she became a royal bride, the last wife of sheikh Bwana Mataka, ruler of Siyu, with whom she had two children.

Her husband died in 1856 and two years later, she wrote her famous poem Utendi wa Mwana Kupona, dedicated to her 14-year-old daughter Mwana Heshima.

Mwana Kupona Binti Msham: The Sovereign Poetess
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The poem is centered on the teachings and advice of Mwana Kupona to her daughter concerning marriage and wifely duties.

Despite the seemingly secular subject, the poem is evidently spiritual and mystical and moral, and has been compared to the Biblical Book of Proverbs.

Mwana Kupona Binti Msham: The Sovereign Poetess
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Many speakers of Kiswahili are familiar with its opening lines.

Negema wangu binti
mchachefu wa sanati
upulike wasiati
Asa ukazingatia

Maradhi yamenshika
hatta yametimu mwaka
sikupata kutamka
Neno lema kukwambia

The poem is rich in detail about day to day life.

Mwana Kupona Binti Msham: The Sovereign Poetess
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Mwana Kupona binti Msham died in 1865 but her words continue to live in the hearts and minds of those who still read and recite them, young and old. Words that are sure to live for ever.

Mwana Kupona's House in Lamu Town by shujaa StoriesNational Museums of Kenya

Mwana Kupona Binti Msham's legacy lives on:

Her house in Lamu Old Town still stands to date. It is in this house that she wrote her famous poem Utendi wa Mwana Kupona.

Credits: Story

Credits: Story
Research field work was undertaken in Samburu and Marsabit (for Gabbra, Samburu, Rendille, Saakuye, Dasanach, Elmolo, Waayu a.k.a Waata, and Burji superheroes/heroines), Embu and Tharaka (for Aembu, Tharaka, Ameru and Mbeere superheroes/heroines), Mombasa ( for Boni, Swahili, Pokomo, Segeju and Bajuni superheroes/heroines)and Taita-Taveta/Voi (for Taveta superheroes/heroines) capturing all information about the heroes from the 40 selected ethnic groups/communities by Museum’s research team. The illustrations were done using digital media by Shujaa Stories Limited.


National Museums of Kenya - Contributors
Mzalendo Kibunjia (PhD) - Director General
Purity Kiura (PhD) - Director Antiquities, Sites & Monuments
Julias Juma Ogega - Senior Curator/Research Scientist
Njuguna Gichere - Research Scientist
Lydia Gatundu - Art of Curator
Emmanuel Kariuki - Exhibit Designer
Philemon Nyamanga - Curator/Research Scientist
Mercy Gakii - Curator/Research Scientist
Imelda Muoti - Curator/Archivist
Innocent Nyaga - Marketing Officer
Suzanne Wanjaria - Exhibits Designer
Ray Balongo Khaemba - Senior Collection Manager
Raphael Igombo - Education Officer
Eddy Ochieng – Photographer/Videographer


Concept Developer:
Shujaa Stories Ltd


Creative Direction:
Tatu Creatives Ltd
Shujaa Stories Ltd


Shujaa Stories Ltd – Contributors
Masidza Sande Galavu - Illustrator
Jeff Muchina- Editing
Martha Shavuya Galavu - Illustrator
Brian Kiraga – Research and Writing
Daisy Okoti - Editing
Shani Mutarura - Editing
Juelz Laval – Photography/Videographer
Linda Tambo - Photography


Other Contributors
Nature Kenya- The East Africa Natural History Society (EANHS)
Spellcast Media


Date Created:
2019/2020


Location Created:
Kenya

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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