The literature of
Djibouti has a longstanding poetic tradition. Several well-developed Somali forms of verse include the ''gabay'', ''jiifto'', ''geeraar'', ''wiglo'', ''buraanbur'', ''beercade'', ''afarey'' and ''guuraw''. The gabay (epic poem) has the most complex length and meter, often exceeding 100 lines. It is considered the mark of poetic attainment when a young poet is able to compose such verse, and is considered the height of poetry. Groups of memorizers and reciters (''hafidayaal'') traditionally propagated the well-developed art form. Poems revolve around several main themes, including ''baroorodiiq'' (elegy), ''amaan'' (praise), ''jacayl'' (romance), ''guhaadin'' (diatribe), ''digasho'' (gloating) and ''guubaabo'' (guidance). The baroorodiiq is composed to commemorate the death of a prominent poet or figure.
[Mohamed Diriye Abdullahi, ''Culture and Customs of Somalia'', (Greenwood Press: 2001), p.75-76] The Afar are familiar with the ''ginnili'', a kind of warrior-poet and diviner, and have a rich oral tradition of folk stories. They also have an extensive repertoire of battle songs.
[Matt Phillips, Jean-Bernard Carillet, ''Lonely Planet Ethiopia and Eritrea'', (Lonely Planet: 2006), p.301.]
Additionally, Djibouti has a long tradition of
Islam
Islam (; ar, ۘالِإسلَام, , ) is an Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic Monotheism#Islam, monotheistic religion centred primarily around the Quran, a religious text considered by Muslims to be the direct word of God in Islam, God (or ...
ic literature. Among the most prominent such historical works is the medieval ''Futuh Al-Habash'' by Shihāb al-Dīn, which chronicles the
Adal Sultanate army's
conquest of Abyssinia during the 16th century.
In recent years, a number of politicians and intellectuals have also penned memoirs or reflections on the country.
References
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