Satirical verse on society and its hypocrisies
A master of satire known for his ribald humor, self-deprecation, and invective verse (hija'), the poet Hmedan al-Shwe'ir was an acerbic critic of his society and its morals. Living in the Najd region of the Arabian Peninsula, Hmedan wrote in an idiom widely referred to as "Nabati," here a mix of Najdi vernacular and archaic vocabulary and images dating to the origins of Arabic poetry. In Arabian Satire, Hmedan is mostly concerned with worldly matters and addresses these in different guises: as the patriarch at the helm of the family boat and its unruly crew; as a picaresque anti-hero who revels in taking potshots at the established order, its hypocrisy, and its failings; as a peasant who labors over his palm trees, often to no avail and with no guarantee of success; and as a poet recording in verse how he thinks things ought to be.
The poems in Arabian Satire reveal a plucky, headstrong, yet intensely socially committed figure-representative of the traditional Najdi ethos-who infuses his verse with proverbs, maxims, and words of wisdom expressed plainly and conversationally. Hmedan is widely quoted by historians of the Gulf region and in anthologies of popular sayings. This is the first full translation of this remarkable poet.
An English-only edition.

About the Author
Hmedan al-Shwe'ir (Author)
Hmedan al-Shwe'ir was an early eighteenth-century poet from the region of Najd in the Arabian Peninsula, in what is now Saudi Arabia.
Jane Tylus (Foreword by)
Jane Tylus, a specialist in late medieval and early modern European literature, religion, and culture, is Professor of Italian and Comparative Literature at Yale University.
Marcel Kurpershoek (Translator)
Marcel Kurpershoek is a specialist in the oral traditions and poetry of Arabia. He is the author of the five-volume Oral Poetry and Narratives from Central Arabia, as well as several books on Middle Eastern history and culture. He served as Netherlands ambassador to Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkey, and Poland, and as special envoy to Syria until 2015.


Reviews
"Colorful contrasts abound. . . . Quite entertaining." * The Complete Review *
"[Hmedan's] gift for the memorable turn of phrase has ensured that his poetry has never been forgotten... A handsomely produced volume of 'melodic verses that swell and roll / like roaring waves on a pitch-black sea.'" * IASA Bulletin *



Book Information
ISBN 9781479878062
Author Hmedan al-Shwe'ir
Format Hardback
Page Count 208
Imprint New York University Press
Publisher New York University Press
Weight(grams) 499g