I Swear

We present this work in honor of Berber New Year.

Si Mohand
Algerian
1848 – 1905

 

I swear that from Tizi-Wezzu
to the village of Akfadu
no-one will subjugate me

Rather break and die than bend,
rather be cursed
in a country where rulers are but go-betweens

My brow marked out for exile,
I swear that exile is better
than living under the rule of swine.

Translation by Abdenour Bouich

2 thoughts on “I Swear

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