# Asefru

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The **asefru** (pl. isefra) is a poetic composition of the [Berber literature](/source/Berber_literature) of [Kabylia](/source/Kabylia). It is a sort of short [sonnet](/source/Sonnet) with a ternary structure, formed by three [strophes](/source/Strophes) of three [verses](/source/Verse_(poetry)) each. The [rhymes](/source/Rhymes) follow the pattern AAB AAB AAB, while the length of the three verses of each strophe is 7 + 5 + 7 syllables.

It is a relatively new [meter](/source/Metre_(poetry)) compared to those from traditional poetry, probably born around the middle of the 19th century, and the poet who has indissolubly linked his name to this type of composition is [Si Mohand](/source/Si_Mohand). The asefru is usually read or recited but can also be sung, and numerous examples of isefra sung are present in the repertoire of different Kabyle singers, such as [Taos Amrouche](/source/Taos_Amrouche) (for example *Vaste est la prison*, Vast is the prison), [Slimane Azem](/source/Slimane_Azem) (*Effɤ ay ajrad tamurt-iw*, Grasshopper, leave my country) or [Malika Domrane](/source/Malika_Domrane) (*Nnehta*, Sighing).

An example of asefru (Si Mohand):

Ggulleɣ seg Tizi-wuzzu armi d Akfadu ur ḥkimen dg' akken llan

A neṛṛez wal' a neknu axiṛ daεwessu anda ttqewwiden ccifan

Lɣwerba tura deg uqerru welleh ard a nenfu wala leεquba ɣer yilfan

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