GUINEA BISSAU: MBONTOL FNHÉNHE (A LOVE POEM) is the first known work of poetry written in the Kentohe language by a Balanta survivor of the ethnocide committed by the United States.

Guinea Bissau: Mbontol Fnhénhe

I. N'hén-na

Nqpadn kbonh

Botchee ba swm!

Awila wobw ka wleti

Nhén-na bdali . . . .

II. Hobw ka anin da

Hondi ka hinda

Hondi tenh liti Wbwdee

Krat nhon ka kmôn kpoot

Nhidi ka wrasse

Hondi ka Beafada

Hondi ma lôt swf fswmi

III. Yah Brassa Mada ka a Guiné Bissau?

Yiiih, hondi ka anwbw

Wkéye ktchosso, hondi woti ka Anwbw

Brassa Mada woti ka a Guiné Bissau

IV. America dwka dâtcha Guiné Bissau

Wil wobo woti ka kbonh

Wil ma dwka sahrát na

V. Willi Anang Yaha?

Nan toha gwa.

Tchôkee ma ka Wthértee

VI. Anuma anan toha?

N'nan toha a kpol Kpân da

N'nan toha a kpol anin da

N'nan toha …

Kpân wbontche

Swf Fswmee

Ktchili kmonha

N'nan toha …Fnhénhi

VII. N'siknh sibi lissi

N'ma siknh kmás

Hobw ka anin da

Hondi ka hinda

Hondi tenh liti Wbwdee

Krat nhon ka kmôn kpoot

Nhi nsim won kbonh wambw

(translation)

Guinea Bissau: A Love Poem

I. I love you

I have returned

Our land is nice - where there is happiness.

This place is sacred.

I love you so much . . . .

II. This is my wife

She is mine

She has a soft body

Her skin is very black.

I am Balanta

She is Beafada

She cooks delicious food.

III. Is Brassa Mada in Guinea Bissau?

Yes, he is here.

It isn't true. No.

Brassa Mada isn't in Guiné Bissau.

IV. America is too far from Guinea Bissau

This thing is not good.

It is a dreadful thing.

V. What do you want to do?

I want to go swimming.

The sea is shallow.

VI. Where do you want to go?

I want to go to my home

I want to go to my wife

I want …

a beautiful house

delicious food

many cows.

I want … Love.

VII. I drink palm wine

I take medicine

this is my wife

she is mine.

She has a soft body

Her skin is very black.

I am feeling good now.