Are there any known Somali epics?

[Globglogabgalab]

The Kebra Nagast and the Epic of Sundiata come to mind when thinking of African Epics. There are even other literary pieces by African authors like Bwana Mwengo Athmani’s “Utendi wa Tambuka” a Swahili written piece that depicts the conflict between the Muslims and the Byzantines.

Are there any known Somali epics? I feel like the nation of poets probably has at least one. If not someone needs to write the Somali version of Shanameh.

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[balanbalis]

I’d imagine there are, but probably in lyrical form

 

[Midas]

This is very difficult in the sense your thinking because somali poetry requires alliteration. It would be incredibly difficult to create a thosuand line poem (which has been done before to my knowledge) but the several thosuands lines required for your avg epic poem is too much I think.

Although there are some in southern somalia ive heard since their gabay's function a little differently.

 

[Burqad]

This is very difficult in the sense your thinking because somali poetry requires alliteration. It would be incredibly difficult to create a thosuand line poem (which has been done before to my knowledge) but the several thosuands lines required for your avg epic poem is too much I think.

Although there are some in southern somalia ive heard since their gabay's function a little differently.

We have poetic “chains” instead.

 

[Midas]

We have poetic “chains” instead.

Yeah we do although those are more people replying to each other. They aren't really a cohesive single narrative like an epic poem is.