The Antique Dealer's Wife of Stone Town | Mke wa Muuzaji wa Vitu vya Kale wa Stone Town | زَوْجَةُ تاجِرِ التُّحَفِ في المَدينَةِ الحَجَرِيَّة
"In the labyrinthine alleys of Stone Town, an antique dealer's voluptuous wife shows a young European collector the hidden treasures no tourist ever sees."
زَوْجَةُ تاجِرِ التُّحَفِ في المَدينَةِ الحَجَرِيَّة
Mke wa Muuzaji wa Vitu vya Kale wa Stone Town
The Antique Dealer's Wife of Stone Town
الفصل الأول: أَزِقَّةُ التّاريخ
Sura ya Kwanza: Vichochoro vya Historia
Chapter One: The Alleys of History
في المَدينَةِ الحَجَرِيَّةِ في زَنْجِبارَ، حَيْثُ تَتَشابَكُ الأَزِقَّةُ كَمَتاهَةٍ وَتَفوحُ رائِحَةُ البَخورِ وَالقُرُنْفُلِ مِنْ كُلِّ بابٍ، كانَ لِلتّاجِرِ مُرْتَضى مَتْجَرٌ لِلتُّحَفِ النّادِرَةِ.
Katika Mji wa Mawe wa Zanzibar, ambapo vichochoro vinajisokota kama maze na harufu ya ubani na karafuu inaenea kutoka kila mlango, mfanyabiashara Murtadha alikuwa na duka la vitu vya kale adimu.
In the Stone Town of Zanzibar, where alleys intertwine like a maze and the scent of incense and cloves wafts from every door, the merchant Murtadha had a shop for rare antiques.
زَوْجَتُهُ نَدى بِنْتُ جابِرٍ تُديرُ المَتْجَرَ حينَ يُسافِرُ زَوْجُها لِلْبَحْثِ عَنِ التُّحَفِ في القُرى.
Mke wake Nada binti Jabir anaendesha duka wakati mume wake anasafiri kutafuta vitu vya kale vijijini.
His wife Nada bint Jabir manages the shop when her husband travels to search for antiques in the villages.
نَدى في الحادِيَةِ وَالأَرْبَعينَ، امْرَأَةٌ عَرَبِيَّةٌ سَواحِلِيَّةٌ ذاتُ جَمالٍ نادِرٍ كَالتُّحَفِ الَّتي تَبيعُها. بَشَرَتُها زَيْتونِيَّةٌ، وَجَسَدُها مُمْتَلِئٌ كَالأَرائِكِ العُثْمانِيَّةِ القَديمَةِ، وَثَدْياها ثَقيلانِ كَالصَّناديقِ المُرَصَّعَةِ بِالصَّدَفِ.
Nada ana umri wa miaka arobaini na moja, mwanamke wa Kiarabu-Kiswahili mwenye uzuri adimu kama vitu vya kale anavyoviuza. Ngozi yake ya zeituni, na mwili wake umejaa kama viti vya zamani vya Kituruki, na matiti yake mazito kama masanduku yaliyopambwa kwa sadafi.
Nada was forty-one years of age, an Arab-Swahili woman of rare beauty like the antiques she sells. Her skin olive, her body full as old Ottoman couches, her breasts heavy as boxes inlaid with mother-of-pearl.
الفصل الثاني: الجامِعُ الأَجْنَبِيّ
Sura ya Pili: Mkusanyaji wa Kigeni
Chapter Two: The Foreign Collector
جاءَ إلى المَتْجَرِ شابٌّ أوروبِيٌّ اسْمُهُ أَلِكْسَنْدَرُ، جامِعُ تُحَفٍ في الثَّلاثينَ مِنْ عُمْرِهِ. كانَ يَبْحَثُ عَنْ قِطَعٍ نادِرَةٍ لِمَتْحَفِهِ الخاصِّ.
Alikuja dukani kijana wa Ulaya jina lake Alexander, mkusanyaji wa vitu vya kale mwenye umri wa miaka thelathini. Alikuwa akitafuta vipande adimu kwa makumbusho yake binafsi.
There came to the shop a young European named Alexander, an antique collector thirty years of age. He was searching for rare pieces for his private museum.
"أَبْحَثُ عَنْ شَيْءٍ فَريدٍ،" قالَ. "شَيْءٍ لَمْ يَرَهُ أَحَدٌ مِنْ قَبْلُ."
"Ninatafuta kitu cha kipekee," alisema. "Kitu ambacho hakuna mtu aliyekiona hapo awali."
"I am searching for something unique," he said. "Something no one has seen before."
"عِنْدي كُنوزٌ لا أُريها لِكُلِّ زَبونٍ." نَظَرَتْ إلَيْهِ بِعَيْنَيْنِ غامِضَتَيْنِ. "لَكِنَّكَ تَبْدو جامِعاً جادّاً."
"Nina hazina ambazo sionyeshi kwa kila mteja." Alimtazama kwa macho ya siri. "Lakini unaonekana mkusanyaji makini."
"I have treasures I do not show every customer." She looked at him with mysterious eyes. "But you seem a serious collector."
الفصل الثالث: الغُرْفَةُ الخَلْفِيَّة
Sura ya Tatu: Chumba cha Nyuma
Chapter Three: The Back Room
قادَتْهُ إلى غُرْفَةٍ خَلْفَ المَتْجَرِ. فيها تُحَفٌ أَغْلى ثَمَناً—سَيْفٌ عُمانِيٌّ، صُنْدوقٌ هِنْدِيٌّ، سَجّادَةٌ فارِسِيَّةٌ.
Alimwongoza hadi chumba nyuma ya duka. Ndani kulikuwa na vitu vya kale vya thamani zaidi—upanga wa Kiomani, sanduku la Kihindi, zulia la Kiajemi.
She led him to a room behind the shop. In it were more valuable antiques—an Omani sword, an Indian box, a Persian carpet.
"جَميلَةٌ،" قالَ وَهُوَ يَتَفَحَّصُ القِطَعَ.
"Nzuri," alisema akikagua vipande.
"Beautiful," he said as he examined the pieces.
"الأَجْمَلُ لَمْ تَرَهُ بَعْدُ." أَغْلَقَتِ البابَ خَلْفَهُما.
"Kizuri zaidi bado hujakiona." Alifunga mlango nyuma yao.
"The most beautiful you have not yet seen." She closed the door behind them.
"وَما هُوَ؟"
"Na ni nini?"
"And what is it?"
خَلَعَتْ حِجابَها. شَعْرُها الأَسْوَدُ انْسَدَلَ عَلى كَتِفَيْها.
Aliondoa hijab yake. Nywele zake nyeusi zilianguka mabegani mwake.
She removed her veil. Her black hair fell on her shoulders.
"تُحْفَةٌ حَيَّةٌ."
"Kitu cha kale kilicho hai."
"A living antique."
الفصل الرابع: الصُّنْدوقُ المَفْتوح
Sura ya Nne: Sanduku Lililofunguliwa
Chapter Four: The Opened Box
خَلَعَتْ ثَوْبَها. ظَهَرَ جَسَدُها كَصُنْدوقٍ يُفْتَحُ عَنْ كُنوزٍ.
Alivua nguo yake. Mwili wake ulionekana kama sanduku linalofunguliwa kuonyesha hazina.
She removed her garment. Her body appeared like a box opening to reveal treasures.
ثَدْياها ضَخْمانِ بِحَلَماتٍ داكِنَةٍ كَالخَشَبِ المُعَتَّقِ. بَطْنُها مُسْتَديرَةٌ كَالأَباريقِ الخَزَفِيَّةِ. وِرْكاها عَريضَتانِ كَالأَبْوابِ الزَّنْجِبارِيَّةِ المَنْقوشَةِ.
Matiti yake makubwa na chuchu nyeusi kama mbao za zamani. Tumbo lake la mviringo kama mitungi ya udongo. Viuno vyake vipana kama milango ya Kizanzibari iliyochongwa.
Her enormous breasts with nipples dark as aged wood. Her rounded belly like ceramic jugs. Her wide hips like carved Zanzibari doors.
"هَذِهِ تُحْفَةٌ لا تُقَدَّرُ بِثَمَنٍ،" هَمَسَ.
"Hiki ni kitu cha kale kisichoweza kupimwa thamani," alinong'ona.
"This is a priceless antique," he whispered.
"وَلَيْسَتْ لِلْبَيْعِ. فَقَطْ لِلاسْتِمْتاعِ."
"Na haiko kwa kuuza. Ni kwa kufurahia tu."
"And it is not for sale. Only for enjoyment."
الفصل الخامس: اللَّمْسَةُ الخَبيرَة
Sura ya Tano: Mguso wa Mtaalamu
Chapter Five: The Expert Touch
"الجامِعُ الحَقيقِيُّ يَعْرِفُ كَيْفَ يَلْمِسُ،" قالَتْ. "بِرِفْقٍ أَوَّلاً، ثُمَّ بِقُوَّةٍ."
"Mkusanyaji wa kweli anajua jinsi ya kugusa," alisema. "Kwa upole kwanza, kisha kwa nguvu."
"The true collector knows how to touch," she said. "Gently first, then with force."
أَمْسَكَ ثَدْيَيْها كَما يَمْسِكُ تُحْفَةً ثَمينَةً.
Alishika matiti yake kama anavyoshika kitu cha kale cha thamani.
He held her breasts as he holds a precious antique.
"هَكَذا،" لَهَثَتْ. "بِدِقَّةِ الخَبيرِ."
"Hivyo," alihema. "Kwa usahihi wa mtaalamu."
"Like that," she panted. "With the precision of an expert."
نَزَلَ بِفَمِهِ عَلى جَسَدِها. ذاقَها كَما يَتَذَوَّقُ جامِعٌ خَمْراً قَديماً.
Alishuka kwa mdomo wake juu ya mwili wake. Alionja kama mkusanyaji anavyoonja divai ya zamani.
He descended with his mouth on her body. He tasted her as a collector tastes old wine.
الفصل السادس: الحَفْرُ في التُّراث
Sura ya Sita: Kuchimba Urithi
Chapter Six: Excavating the Heritage
أَرْقَدَها عَلى السَّجّادَةِ الفارِسِيَّةِ. جَسَدُها الداكِنُ عَلى الأَلْوانِ الحَمْراءِ وَالزَّرْقاءِ.
Alimlaza juu ya zulia la Kiajemi. Mwili wake mweusi juu ya rangi nyekundu na bluu.
He laid her on the Persian carpet. Her dark body on the red and blue colors.
نَزَلَ بَيْنَ فَخِذَيْها. غاصَ بِلِسانِهِ كَمَنْ يَحْفِرُ عَنْ كَنْزٍ مَدْفونٍ.
Alishuka kati ya mapaja yake. Alipiga mbizi kwa ulimi wake kama mtu anayechimba hazina iliyozikwa.
He descended between her thighs. He dove with his tongue like one digging for buried treasure.
"يا إلَهي!" صَرَخَتْ. "وَجَدْتَ الكَنْزَ!"
"Mwenyezi Mungu!" alipiga kelele. "Umepata hazina!"
"My God!" she screamed. "You have found the treasure!"
عَمِلَ بِلِسانِهِ حَتّى فاضَتْ كُنوزُها.
Alifanya kazi kwa ulimi wake hadi hazina yake ilifurika.
He worked with his tongue until her treasures overflowed.
الفصل السابع: المَعْرِضُ الخاصّ
Sura ya Saba: Maonyesho ya Kibinafsi
Chapter Seven: The Private Exhibition
"الآنَ أُريكِ تُحْفَتي،" قالَ وَهُوَ يَخْلَعُ ثِيابَهُ.
"Sasa nitakuonyesha kitu changu cha kale," alisema akivua nguo zake.
"Now I show you my antique," he said as he removed his clothes.
"كَبيرَةٌ،" قالَتْ وَعَيْناها تَتَّسِعانِ. "وَصَلْبَةٌ كَالعاجِ القَديمِ."
"Kubwa," alisema na macho yake yakipanuka. "Na ngumu kama pembe za ndovu za zamani."
"Large," she said with widening eyes. "And hard as old ivory."
صَعِدَ فَوْقَها عَلى السَّجّادَةِ وَدَخَلَها.
Alipanda juu yake kwenye zulia na kuingia ndani yake.
He climbed atop her on the carpet and entered her.
"آآآهْ!" أَنَّتْ. "تُحْفَتُكَ تَمْلَأُ مَتْحَفي!"
"Aaah!" aliugua. "Kitu chako cha kale kinajaza makumbusho yangu!"
"Aaah!" she moaned. "Your antique fills my museum!"
الفصل الثامن: المَزادُ الأَخير
Sura ya Nane: Mnada wa Mwisho
Chapter Eight: The Final Auction
تَحَرَّكَ داخِلَها بِإيقاعٍ مُتَصاعِدٍ. جَسَدُها المُمْتَلِئُ يَتَمَوَّجُ عَلى السَّجّادَةِ القَديمَةِ.
Alisogea ndani yake kwa mdundo unaoongezeka. Mwili wake uliojaa uliyumba juu ya zulia la kale.
He moved inside her with an increasing rhythm. Her full body undulated on the old carpet.
"أَكْثَرَ! أَكْثَرَ!" صَرَخَتْ.
"Zaidi! Zaidi!" alipiga kelele.
"More! More!" she screamed.
ثَدْياها الضَّخْمانِ يَرْتَجِفانِ. الصَّناديقُ القَديمَةُ حَوْلَهُما تَهْتَزُّ مِنْ قُوَّةِ حَرَكَتِهِما.
Matiti yake makubwa yalitetemeka. Masanduku ya kale yaliyowazunguka yalitetemeka kutokana na nguvu ya mwendo wao.
Her enormous breasts trembled. The old boxes around them shook from the force of their movement.
وَصَلا إلى الذُّرْوَةِ مَعاً. صَرَخا بِصَوْتٍ يَتَرَدَّدُ في الأَزِقَّةِ القَديمَةِ.
Walifikia kilele pamoja. Walipiga kelele kwa sauti inayorindima katika vichochoro vya kale.
They reached the climax together. They screamed with a voice echoing in the old alleys.
الخاتِمَة
Hitimisho
Epilogue
اشْتَرى أَلِكْسَنْدَرُ كَثيراً مِنَ التُّحَفِ، وَعادَ إلى المَتْجَرِ مَرّاتٍ عَديدَةً.
Alexander alinunua vitu vingi vya kale, na alirudi dukani mara nyingi.
Alexander bought many antiques, and returned to the shop many times.
وَيُقالُ إنَّ أَثْمَنَ قِطْعَةٍ في مَجْموعَتِهِ لَمْ تُعْرَضْ أَبَداً في أَيِّ مَتْحَفٍ، لِأَنَّ بَعْضَ الكُنوزِ يَجِبُ أَنْ تَبْقى في أَزِقَّةِ زَنْجِبارَ المُظْلِمَةِ.
Na inasemekana kwamba kipande cha thamani zaidi katika mkusanyo wake hakikuonyeshwa kamwe katika makumbusho yoyote, kwa sababu hazina fulani lazima zibaki katika vichochoro vya giza vya Zanzibar.
And it is said that the most valuable piece in his collection was never displayed in any museum, for some treasures must remain in the dark alleys of Zanzibar.
انْتَهَتِ القِصَّة | Mwisho wa Hadithi | The End