Djibouti (anthem)

Djibouti

National anthem of  Djibouti


Lyrics Aden Elmi (b. 1950)
Music Abdi Robleh (b. 1945)
Adopted 1977 (1977)

Music sample
Djiboutian National Anthem (instrumental)

Djibouti (Somali: Jabuuti, Afar: Gabuuti) is the national anthem of the Republic of Djibouti.[1]

History

The Djibouti national anthem was adopted upon independence from France in 1977. The words are in Somali, and were written by Aden Elmi. The melody was composed by Abdi Robleh.[1]

The anthem was first officially played at an independence ceremony on June 27, 1977.[2]

Historical references

Thematically, Elmi's lyrics reference the country's flag as it relates to Djibouti's struggle for independence. The French had staked claim to the region known as French Somaliland in the mid-1800s. For the next century, the region was overseen by a series of French governors. The area served as a backdrop for French battles with various opponents including Russia and Italy.

In 1958, a referendum was held in Djibouti to decide whether or not to join the Somali Republic or to remain with France. The referendum turned out in favour of a continued association with France,[3] but there were reports of vote rigging, with the French expelling thousands of Somalis before the referendum reached the polls.[4] In August 1960, an official visit to the territory by then French President, General Charles de Gaulle, was also met with demonstrations and rioting.[5][6]

On 19 March 1967, a second plebiscite was held. Similar to the 1959 referendum, voting was also divided along ethnic lines, with the resident Somalis generally voting for independence, with the goal of eventual reunion with Somalia, and the Afars largely opting to remain associated with France.[5] There were again reports of vote rigging on the part of the French authorities.[7]Announcement of the results sparked civil unrest, including several deaths. France also increased its military force along the frontier.[8][9] Soon after, the territory was renamed French Territory of the Afars and Issas, but a growing Somali population led to a vote for independence in 1977, officially marking Djibouti's independence.[6][10]

Music

The melody by Abdi Robleh is written in common 4/4 time. It consists of twenty measures.[11]

Anthem

Somali lyrics Afar lyrics English translation French translation Arabic translation
Hinjinne u sara kaca

Calankaan harraad iyo

Haydaar u mudateen.

Hir cagaarku qariyayiyo

Habkay samadu tahayoo

Xiddig dhi igleh hoorshoo

Caddaan lagu hadheeyaay.

Maxaa haybad kugu yaal.

Soolisnuh inkih solaa

Simbiliiy kah bakaree

Macalleh giclool bahnee (2)

Bulci kaak qaran sido

Hey gubi kaak baaxo agdaay

Cutukti caxte cayduu

Qidi wagri silaalo

Faylay heebati kumuu (4)

Arise with strength! For we have raised our flag,

The flag which has cost us dear

With extremes of thirst and pain.

Our flag, whose colours are the everlasting green of the earth,

The blue of the sky, and white, the colour of peace;

And in the centre the red star of blood.

Oh flag of ours, what a glorious sight!

Lève-toi avec force! Parce que nous avons hissé notre drapeau,

Le drapeau qui nous a coûté cher

Avec une soif et une douleur extrêmes.

Notre drapeau, dont les couleurs sont le vert éternel de la terre,

Le bleu du ciel et le blanc, la couleur de la paix;

Et dans le centre de l'étoile rouge de sang.

Oh notre drapeau, quel spectacle magnifique!

تنشأ مع قوة! لقد أثرنا لعلمنا،

العلم الذي يكلفنا العزيز

مع النقيضين من العطش والألم.

لدينا علم، التي هي الألوان الخضراء الأبدية من الأرض،

زرقة السماء ، والأبيض، لون السلام؛

وفي وسط النجمة الحمراء من الدم.

يا علم لنا، ما له من منظر رائع!
Djiboutian National Anthem in Somali lyrics

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Africa: Djibouti". CIA. October 7, 2016. Retrieved October 14, 2016.
  2. "NCNA Reports on Djibouti Independence Ceremony". Djibouti: U.S. Foreign Broadcast Information Service. 27 June 1977.
  3. Barrington, Lowell, After Independence: Making and Protecting the Nation in Postcolonial and Postcommunist States, (University of Michigan Press: 2006), p. 115 ISBN 0472068989
  4. Kevin Shillington, Encyclopedia of African history, (CRC Press: 2005), p. 360 ISBN 1579582451.
  5. 1 2 A Political Chronology of Africa, (Taylor & Francis), p.132.
  6. 1 2 Newsweek, Volume 81, (Newsweek: 1973), p.254.
  7. American Universities Field Staff, Northeast Africa series, Volume 15, Issue 1, (American Universities Field Staff.: 1968), p.3.
  8. Jean Strouse, Newsweek, Volume 69, Issues 10-17, (Newsweek: 1967), p.48.
  9. Alvin J. Cottrell, Robert Michael Burrell, Georgetown University. Center for Strategic and International Studies, The Indian Ocean: its political, economic, and military importance, (Praeger: 1972), p.166.
  10. Elections in Djibouti African Elections Database
  11. Robleh, Abdi; Elmi, Aden. "Anthem of the Republic of Djibouti".

External links

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