*Note this poem is in Maguindanaon
So limu, lilini na makatingguma
Na makauyag sa tademan
a mapaet
Endu makanggay sa salig, apas
Ow mana bu ka pamakikinegeng tanu
Na kasabutan tanu man e ngini kaulad kasla nu dungya
So limu, lilini na makatingguma
Na makasigay a makatayaw siya kanu kinabpapalak kinadtatankaya tanu
Makalandaw kanu alung-alung nu mga alwak tanu
Pabila ka makauma den siya kanu kahadapan tanu
Na mabaluy a makauyag kanu uyag-uyag tanu
So limu, lilini na makatingguma
Siya kanu kinapamalinpapak nin
Na mapananawag nin so kawalaw tanu
Na niya husto na niya tanu kadsulamigan na
Su bantang
So limu, lilini na makatingguma
A menggay sa langun a nataratanto sa leka
Endu langun a nataratanto sa leka a maaden mabaloy
Sa daden makagkibil lun
=———————-
English Version
Love will arrive,
It will bring back old memories
Of pain
Of hope
If we dare listen to it
We will know how big the world truly is
Love will arrive,
It will shine a light on our exile
Cast away the shadows of our souls
When it comes into our sight
It will lead us into life
Love will arrive,
On feathered wings
It will call out our bravery
And we must choose
The cost
Love will arrive,
Will you give all that you are
And all that you will ever be
To truly be free
=——————–=
*Maguindanao or Maguindanaon is an Austronesian language spoken by majority of the population of Maguindanao province in the Philippines. It is also spoken by sizable minorities in different parts of Mindanao such as the cities of Zamboanga, Davao, and General Santos, and the provinces of North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, Sarangani, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, as well as Metro Manila. This was the language of the historic Sultanate of Maguindanao, which existed before and during the Spanish colonial period from 1500–1888.
Written by Karl Gaverza
Traslation by
Forester SANGGACALA R. ABDULA
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright ©
Forester SANGGACALA R. ABDULA
Inspired by Biraddali description in Voices from Sulu A Collection of Tausug Oral Traditions. Rixhon. 2010.
Biraddali Illustration and Color by Alexa Garde
Website: Lexa.us
