A Tree for Poverty: Somali Poetry and Prose. Collected by Margaret Laurence.

First edition of the first published translation of Somali literature into English. Laurence became fascinated with the oral literary traditions of Somalia while she was living there from 1950 to 1952. Several local scholars helped her to collect, transcribe, and translate the works, including the polymath Musa Haji Ismail Galal. A Tree for Poverty includes translations of folk tales; the succint, romantic belwo lyrics; and the traditional, complex gamay poems. In her introduction, Laurence observes that "the Somalis are a nation of poets. There is no sign of this art dying. Most Somalis take a great deal of interest in their national poetry, and almost everyone seems to appreciate it. their literary tastes are highly developed" (p. 1). Octavo. Original white wrappers, front cover lettered in red. Spine repaired at foot. Wrappers overall a little toned, short splits at ends of front wrapper joint, small spots of foxing and soiling to sides: a very good copy.