New Books in Islamic Studies Basma Al Dajani, "The Arab Andalusian Love Poetry: A Study of the Interaction Between Place and Man Through Time" (AU Cairo Press, 1994)
Jun 1, 2025
Basma Al Dajani, a Professor of Arabic Language and Literature, delves into the enchanting world of Arab-Andalusian love poetry, revealing its profound ties to place and emotion. She shares how her journey to Granada in the 1990s ignited her passion for this literary tradition. The conversation highlights the roles of women poets like Wallada bint al-Mustakfi, the influence of the lush Andalusian landscape on poetic expression, and the importance of preserving classical Arabic manuscripts. Al Dajani's insights illuminate the enduring legacy of these rich cultural narratives.
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Inspiration from Granada Journey
- Basma Al Dajani was inspired to research Arab Andalusian love poetry during a trip to Granada in the early 1990s with her historian father.
- She was moved by the stories of Alhambra and the poetry of Andalusia experienced in Cordoba and Granada.
Cultural Exchange Shapes Poetry
- Arab Andalusian love poetry reflects the cultural exchange among diverse peoples and languages during the Andalusian era.
- It also highlights the evolution of the Arabic language and poetic forms like Muashahat influenced by local environments.
Manuscript Research Shaping Career
- Her MA thesis on Arab Andalusian love poetry became the basis of her book.
- For her PhD, she studied a 1000-year-old manuscript "The Demises of the Ardent Lover" by Ja’far al-Sarraj, focusing on women narrators like Shaykha Shahda al-Ibiri.