“The Gamar Boba“ (“القمر بوبا“) by Mohammed Wardi | English Translation

“Al-Gamar Boba” (“القمر بوبا”) is a song performed by Mohammed Wardi. The song’s origin is disputed, with some reporting it’s a traditional Shaigiya song with no particular poet, and others saying the poem was written by Ismaeel Hassan, a Sudanese poet and writer of many Wardi songs. The song’s title and chorus refers to the Gamar Boba (lit. “Glowing Moon”) earring, a large, gold, crescent-moon shaped earring that looks like this: The fact that it’s heavy on the girl in question is a sign of her delicacy, a characterization the song continues. Footnotes: 1:24 - The word used here is tanaageer, which comes from the Andaandi Nubian word for “cow path,” and refers to the path livestock animals take to the Nile to drink. The job of cutting the hay that grows on these paths is often seen as a lowly task, making this an indication of the girl’s refined nature. 1:26 - Filling up the zeer, a clay pot refrigerator, is another common chore, making this line further the idea that the girl is delicate and refined. 1:30 - Tob az-zaraag is a cheap blue tob that used to be commonly worn by Sudanese women in the 60s. This line praises the girl’s beauty by saying she can make this cheap, common garment look like silk. 1:33 - Literally translates to “scatter the cubs, oh conscientious one.” 5:35 - A common phrase in Sudan. 5:39 - There was a widespread belief in Sudan that those who are raised by their grandmothers end up delicate, polished, and even spoiled. 5:43 - These words also commonly refer to light and dark skin color respectively in Sudan. 5:45 - While not explicitly stated, this line is probably referring to hiding the daughter from the evil eye, as it’s believed in Sudan that someone can be cursed with misfortune if someone looks upon them jealously.