Serigne Mbaye Nguirane copied the manuscripts from the originals written by Serigne Moussa Ka over forty years ago. Red and black ink are used in the manuscript. The red ink is used for vowels and to highlight key words and phrases. There are insertions of Arabic words in the manuscript, including in opening and closing formulae. The poet draws on the local Wolof culture, figures of speech, nature, and the challenges facing the masses to produce a sad poem which begs for Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba's help. The poem was commissioned by Serigne Ndame Abdou Rahmane Lo and other Murid dignitaries to ask for Cheikh Ahmadou's assistance in the hardships of the era which included draught, thirst, hunger, and economic crisis, among others. The poem also discusses miracles of Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba, and his training of examplary Murid leaders grounded in tarqiyya and tarbiyya able to face by themselves any challenge.
Physical characteristics of original material: Due to the poor conservation condition and ink stains, some words are hard to read.
1 set of unbound manuscripts of 14 pages. Date of orginal: 1929.
Author: Serigne Moussa Ka. Scribe: Serigne Mbaye Guirane (copyist). Language: Wolof (with some Arabic in religious quotations, prayers, and in the openings and endings of poems). Script of material: Wolof Ajami (Wolofal).
