We have sung of war in times of peace
And sang of peace in war times
Okweinkuku* tell them
Should they come again
“please leave us to live”

In the mangrove our paradise
In far distance
Beyond times unknown
When the forest moved her waist
I knew of the omuaru*
It was a caller of young men
Summon of heavy weaves, clouds
And winds to accompany the talking drums
The omuaru was an intimidating spirit
That chases our rivals
It was never a test tool
For brevity among us
It was an eloquent speaker
Flaming tree
In our forest to lie upon rivers

Sometimes in September
We have brought boxes of shattered love
And shared memories of betrayals
To let go the she goat to the market place
She bought with no money
Deaths upon the mangrove

At Christmas
The ikiriko* and agriba*
Ravaged the market places
The town square crowded
With jesters and plotters
Suddenly a familiar voice took over
Omangiyee*
Omangiyee… ya woo*

Sometimes the year gets pregnant
And a month was born
A January was born
A month of despond
A month of agony
A month of oblivion fate

Meanings:
1 Okweinkuku: (Derogatory word means, chatter box) 2. Omuaru: (warcanoe) 3. Ikiriko: (Native drum)
4. Agriba: (A cowhide drum used sometimes for local communication during festive periods)
5. Omangiyee, ya woo: (run you people, run you people, Alas.)

By: Sunday A.Igbikeberebima