The drummer begins, the rhythm takes hold, dancers shake their waists, a poem begins. 

Liyongo kitamakali 

Akabalighi rijali 

Akawa mlu wa kweli 

Na haiba kaongenya. 

Kimo kawa mrefu 

Mpana sana mrefu 

Majimboni ya maarufu 

Watu huyu kwangaliya. 

The song of Liyongo. The memory of Liyongo. 

Before the song. The sky above the land was streaked a sulphurous yellow. Halfway through the morning and it felt as though the light would never break through. Thousands of birds flew towards the east, and some believed they were going to drown themselves to pay homage to the ruler who had just died. On the ground, women wailed, drums beat, there was open mourning. Two sons were left behind fatherless, Fumo Liyongo the older, and Mringwari the younger. Both had been prepared for leadership though none was ready. The obvious choice was Liyongo for he was older, yet in an unexpected turn of events, it was Mringwari who replaced his father while his brother was imprisoned somewhere further from the community.  

They sing that he was strong and they believe it because he escaped the clutches of bondage. He fled to the mainland, started anew and with time adapted to the new lifestyle that was less about aristocracy and more about survival. He hunted, he braved many challenges, he built a reputation and was known as a brave, generous man full of integrity. Those that knew of his family whispered that he was to be the ruler, those that came to know of him accepted him as their ruler. He became the ruler of a new state. 

Fumo Liyongo ruled in wisdom and kindness. He advocated for communal responsibility and was respected by not only the Pokomo tribe from which he was from, but also the Waswahili, all of whom lived in the Tana Delta with him. He often took his thoughts and weaved them into strings of poetry, not knowing that these poems would remain in the Pokomo’s hearts, and they would never forget him, even after he met his death in Pate where he went to visit his son. 

 Liyongo silaha yetu  

Kwa wuste khasimu zetu 

Alikuwa ngao yetu  

Wute wakinena haya 

Mui walisikitika 

Hakuna wakutosheka 

Kwa Liyongo kutoweka 

Imeanguka paziya. 

The beat of the drum suddenly stops. The day’s celebration of Fumo Liyongo ends here for now.