أَرْمَلَةُ صانِعِ الأَشْرِعَةِ في ماتونْدوني

Mjane wa Mshonaji Matanga wa Matondoni

The Sail Maker's Widow of Matondoni

الفصل الأول: قَرْيَةُ المَراكِب

Sura ya Kwanza: Kijiji cha Mashua

Chapter One: The Village of Boats

في ماتونْدوني عَلى جَزيرَةِ لامو، حَيْثُ تُصْنَعُ أَعْظَمُ المَراكِبِ الشِّراعِيَّةِ وَأَجْمَلُ الأَشْرِعَةِ، عاشَتْ مَرْيَمُ بِنْتُ عَوَضٍ في وَرْشَةٍ عَلى الشّاطِئِ.

Katika Matondoni kwenye Kisiwa cha Lamu, ambapo mashua kubwa zaidi za tanga na matanga mazuri zaidi yanatengenezwa, aliishi Mariamu binti Awadh katika karakana kando ya ufuo.

In Matondoni on Lamu Island, where the greatest sailing boats and most beautiful sails are made, lived Mariamu bint Awadh in a workshop on the beach.

زَوْجُها كانَ أَشْهَرَ صانِعِ أَشْرِعَةٍ في السّاحِلِ. ماتَ قَبْلَ سَنَةٍ، تارِكاً لَها الوَرْشَةَ وَمَهارَةَ الخِياطَةِ.

Mume wake alikuwa mshonaji matanga mashuhuri katika pwani. Alifariki mwaka mmoja uliopita, akimwachia karakana na ustadi wa kushona.

Her husband was the most famous sail maker on the coast. He died a year ago, leaving her the workshop and the skill of sewing.

مَرْيَمُ في الخامِسَةِ وَالأَرْبَعينَ، امْرَأَةٌ سَواحِلِيَّةٌ ضَخْمَةُ الجِسْمِ. بَشَرَتُها سَمْراءُ كَالقِماشِ المُشَمَّعِ، وَجَسَدُها عَريضٌ كَالشِّراعِ المَنْشورِ، وَثَدْياها مُمْتَلِئانِ كَأَكْياسِ الرِّياحِ.

Mariamu ana umri wa miaka arobaini na tano, mwanamke wa Kiswahili mwenye mwili mkubwa. Ngozi yake ya kahawia kama kitambaa kilichopakwa mafuta, na mwili wake mpana kama tanga lililotandazwa, na matiti yake yaliyojaa kama mifuko ya upepo.

Mariamu was forty-five years of age, a Swahili woman of large build. Her skin brown as tarred canvas, her body wide as an unfurled sail, her breasts full as wind bags.

الفصل الثاني: تاجِرُ القِماش

Sura ya Pili: Mfanyabiashara wa Kitambaa

Chapter Two: The Canvas Merchant

جاءَ مِنْ ممْباسا تاجِرٌ شابٌّ اسْمُهُ عُمَرُ بنُ سَعيدٍ، في السّادِسَةِ وَالعِشْرينَ مِنْ عُمْرِهِ. كانَ يَبيعُ قِماشَ الأَشْرِعَةِ وَالحِبالَ.

Alikuja kutoka Mombasa mfanyabiashara kijana jina lake Omar bin Said, mwenye umri wa miaka ishirini na sita. Alikuwa akiuza kitambaa cha matanga na kamba.

There came from Mombasa a young merchant named Omar ibn Said, twenty-six years of age. He was selling sail canvas and ropes.

"قِماشُكَ جَيِّدٌ،" قالَتْ مَرْيَمُ وَهِيَ تَفْحَصُ البِضاعَةَ. "لَكِنَّني أَحْتاجُ أَنْ أَخْتَبِرَ قُوَّتَهُ."

"Kitambaa chako ni kizuri," alisema Mariamu akikagua bidhaa. "Lakini ninahitaji kujaribu nguvu zake."

"Your canvas is good," said Mariamu as she examined the goods. "But I need to test its strength."

"كَيْفَ تَخْتَبِرينَهُ؟"

"Unakijaribu vipi?"

"How do you test it?"

ابْتَسَمَتْ ابْتِسامَةً غامِضَةً. "بِطُرُقٍ لا يَعْرِفُها إلّا صُنّاعُ الأَشْرِعَةِ."

Alitabasamu tabasamu la ajabu. "Kwa njia ambazo washonaji matanga tu wanazijua."

She smiled a mysterious smile. "By methods only sail makers know."

الفصل الثالث: الاخْتِبار

Sura ya Tatu: Mtihani

Chapter Three: The Test

"ابْقَ اللَّيْلَةَ،" قالَتْ. "سَأُخْتَبِرُ القِماشَ وَأُخْبِرُكَ في الصَّباحِ."

"Kaa usiku huu," alisema. "Nitajaribu kitambaa na kukuambia asubuhi."

"Stay tonight," she said. "I will test the canvas and tell you in the morning."

في المَساءِ، دَعَتْهُ إلى الوَرْشَةِ. كانَتْ قَدْ فَرَشَتْ قِماشاً أَبْيَضَ عَلى الأَرْضِ.

Jioni, alimwalika karakanani. Alikuwa ametandaza kitambaa cheupe sakafuni.

In the evening, she invited him to the workshop. She had spread white canvas on the floor.

"القِماشُ الجَيِّدُ يَتَحَمَّلُ الضَّغْطَ،" قالَتْ وَهِيَ تَخْلَعُ ثَوْبَها.

"Kitambaa kizuri kinastahimili shinikizo," alisema akivua nguo yake.

"Good canvas withstands pressure," she said as she removed her garment.

ظَهَرَ جَسَدُها الضَّخْمُ أَمامَهُ. ثَدْياها كَبيرانِ ثَقيلانِ، وَبَطْنُها مُسْتَديرَةٌ، وَأَرْدافُها واسِعَةٌ.

Mwili wake mkubwa ulionekana mbele yake. Matiti yake makubwa na mazito, na tumbo lake la mviringo, na matako yake mapana.

Her large body appeared before him. Her breasts big and heavy, her belly rounded, her buttocks wide.

"لِنَخْتَبِرْ قِماشَكَ مَعاً."

"Hebu tujaribu kitambaa chako pamoja."

"Let us test your canvas together."

الفصل الرابع: نَشْرُ الشِّراع

Sura ya Nne: Kutandaza Tanga

Chapter Four: Unfurling the Sail

اسْتَلْقَتْ عَلى القِماشِ الأَبْيَضِ. جَسَدُها الداكِنُ كَتَصْميمٍ عَلى قِماشٍ أَبْيَضَ.

Alilala juu ya kitambaa cheupe. Mwili wake mweusi kama muundo juu ya kitambaa cheupe.

She lay on the white canvas. Her dark body like a design on white cloth.

"تَعالَ،" قالَتْ. "اِمْلَأْ شِراعي بِالرِّيحِ."

"Njoo," alisema. "Jaza tanga langu kwa upepo."

"Come," she said. "Fill my sail with wind."

خَلَعَ ثِيابَهُ وَنَزَلَ فَوْقَها. بَدَأَ يُقَبِّلُها مِنْ عُنُقِها إلى ثَدْيَيْها.

Alivua nguo zake na kushuka juu yake. Alianza kumbusu kutoka shingoni hadi matiti yake.

He removed his clothes and descended above her. He began to kiss her from her neck to her breasts.

"آآآهْ!" تَأَوَّهَتْ. "الشِّراعُ يَنْتَفِخُ!"

"Aaah!" aliugua. "Tanga linajaa!"

"Aaah!" she moaned. "The sail is filling!"

مَصَّ ثَدْيَيْها الكَبيرَيْنِ بِجوعٍ. حَلَماتُها صَلْبَةٌ كَعُقَدِ الحِبالِ.

Alinyonya matiti yake makubwa kwa njaa. Chuchu zake zilikuwa ngumu kama vifundo vya kamba.

He sucked her large breasts with hunger. Her nipples were hard as rope knots.

الفصل الخامس: مَعَ الرِّيح

Sura ya Tano: Na Upepo

Chapter Five: With the Wind

نَزَلَ أَكْثَرَ، يُقَبِّلُ بَطْنَها المُسْتَديرَةَ.

Alishuka zaidi, akibusu tumbo lake la mviringo.

He descended further, kissing her rounded belly.

"اِتَّجِهْ جَنوباً،" لَهَثَتْ. "نَحْوَ المَرْفَأِ الدّافِئِ."

"Elekea kusini," alihema. "Kuelekea bandari ya joto."

"Head south," she panted. "Toward the warm harbor."

وَصَلَ إلى ما بَيْنَ فَخِذَيْها. زَهْرَتُها رَطْبَةٌ كَالقِماشِ المُبَلَّلِ بِالبَحْرِ.

Alifika kati ya mapaja yake. Ua lake lilikuwa na unyevu kama kitambaa kilicholowa bahari.

He reached between her thighs. Her flower was moist like canvas wet by the sea.

غاصَ بِلِسانِهِ فيها. طَعْمُها كَالمِلْحِ وَالعَسَلِ.

Alipiga mbizi kwa ulimi wake ndani yake. Ladha yake kama chumvi na asali.

He dove with his tongue into her. Her taste was like salt and honey.

"يا رَبّي!" صَرَخَتْ. "الرِّياحُ قَوِيَّةٌ!"

"Mwenyezi Mungu!" alipiga kelele. "Pepo ni kali!"

"My Lord!" she screamed. "The winds are strong!"

الفصل السادس: الإبْحارُ الكامِل

Sura ya Sita: Kusafiri Kamili

Chapter Six: Full Sailing

عَمِلَ بِلِسانِهِ حَتّى وَصَلَتْ إلى ذُرْوَتِها الأولى.

Alifanya kazi kwa ulimi wake hadi alipofika kilele chake cha kwanza.

He worked with his tongue until she reached her first climax.

"الآنَ،" لَهَثَتْ. "اِرْفَعِ الصّاريَ!"

"Sasa," alihema. "Inua mlingoti!"

"Now," she panted. "Raise the mast!"

صَعِدَ فَوْقَها وَدَخَلَها بِقُوَّةٍ. صَرَخَتْ مِنَ اللَّذَّةِ.

Alipanda juu yake na kuingia ndani yake kwa nguvu. Alipiga kelele kwa raha.

He climbed atop her and entered her with force. She screamed with pleasure.

"الصّاري مَرْفوعٌ!" أَنَّتْ. "وَالشِّراعُ مُنْتَفِخٌ!"

"Mlingoti umeinuliwa!" aliugua. "Na tanga limejaa!"

"The mast is raised!" she moaned. "And the sail is full!"

الفصل السابع: العاصِفَةُ

Sura ya Saba: Dhoruba

Chapter Seven: The Storm

تَحَرَّكَ داخِلَها بِإيقاعِ الأَمْواجِ. جَسَدُها الضَّخْمُ يَتَمَوَّجُ تَحْتَهُ كَالبَحْرِ الهائِجِ.

Alisogea ndani yake kwa mdundo wa mawimbi. Mwili wake mkubwa uliyumba chini yake kama bahari yenye dhoruba.

He moved inside her with the rhythm of waves. Her large body undulated beneath him like a rough sea.

"أَقْوى!" صَرَخَتْ. "كَالعاصِفَةِ!"

"Zaidi!" alipiga kelele. "Kama dhoruba!"

"Stronger!" she screamed. "Like a storm!"

قَلَبَها عَلى يَدَيْها وَرُكْبَتَيْها. مُؤَخِّرَتُها الضَّخْمَةُ كَشِراعٍ مُنْتَفِخٍ.

Alimgeuza kwenye mikono na magoti yake. Matako yake makubwa kama tanga lililojaa.

He turned her onto her hands and knees. Her enormous backside like a full sail.

دَخَلَها مِنَ الخَلْفِ. أَمْسَكَ وِرْكَيْها كَما يُمْسِكُ البَحّارُ الحِبالَ.

Aliingia ndani yake kutoka nyuma. Alishika viuno vyake kama baharia anavyoshika kamba.

He entered her from behind. He held her hips as a sailor holds ropes.

الفصل الثامن: الوُصولُ إلى المِيناء

Sura ya Nane: Kufika Bandarini

Chapter Eight: Arriving at Port

زادَ سُرْعَتَهُ. القِماشُ تَحْتَهُما يَتَمَزَّقُ مِنَ القُوَّةِ.

Aliongeza kasi yake. Kitambaa chini yao kilichanika kwa nguvu.

He increased his speed. The canvas beneath them tore from the force.

"أَنا قادِمَةٌ!" صَرَخَتْ. "أَنا وَصَلْتُ إلى المِيناءِ!"

"Ninakuja!" alipiga kelele. "Nimefika bandarini!"

"I am coming!" she screamed. "I have reached the port!"

وَصَلا إلى الذُّرْوَةِ مَعاً. صَرَخا كَصُراخِ البَحّارَةِ حينَ يَرَوْنَ الأَرْضَ.

Walifikia kilele pamoja. Walipiga kelele kama kilio cha mabaharia wanapooona nchi kavu.

They reached the climax together. They screamed like the cries of sailors when they see land.

سَكَبَ فيها كُلَّ ما فيهِ. سَقَطا عَلى القِماشِ المُمَزَّقِ.

Alimwaga ndani yake kila kitu kilichokuwa ndani yake. Walianguka kwenye kitambaa kilichochanika.

He poured into her everything within him. They fell on the torn canvas.

الخاتِمَة

Hitimisho

Epilogue

في الصَّباحِ، نَظَرَتْ مَرْيَمُ إلى القِماشِ المُمَزَّقِ.

Asubuhi, Mariamu alitazama kitambaa kilichochanika.

In the morning, Mariamu looked at the torn canvas.

"قِماشُكَ لَيْسَ قَوِيّاً بِما فيهِ الكِفايَةِ،" قالَتْ مُبْتَسِمَةً.

"Kitambaa chako si imara vya kutosha," alisema akitabasamu.

"Your canvas is not strong enough," she said smiling.

"فَماذا أَفْعَلُ؟"

"Basi nifanye nini?"

"So what do I do?"

"تَعودُ بِقِماشٍ أَقْوى. وَنَخْتَبِرُهُ مَرَّةً أُخْرى."

"Rudi na kitambaa imara zaidi. Na tutakijaribu tena."

"You return with stronger canvas. And we test it again."

وَيُقالُ إنَّ عُمَرَ أَصْبَحَ يَزورُ ماتونْدوني كُلَّ أُسْبوعٍ، دائِماً بِقِماشٍ جَديدٍ لِلاخْتِبارِ.

Na inasemekana kwamba Omar alianza kutembelea Matondoni kila wiki, akiwa daima na kitambaa kipya cha kujaribu.

And it is said that Omar began to visit Matondoni every week, always with new canvas to test.

انْتَهَتِ القِصَّة | Mwisho wa Hadithi | The End