© Columbia University Press
Exploring Arab Folk Literature
November, 2011
Cloth, 256 pages,
ISBN: 978-0-7486-4086-7
Edinburgh University Press
$105.00
European Orientalists set out to map the character and achievements of Arab-Islamic civilization by acquainting themselves with classical Arabic and the writings of pre-fifteenth century Arab thinkers and scholars. Regrettably, they did not take folk literature into account, for until the twentieth century, Arab elites never considered works composed from everyday speech as literary. Pierre Cachia rectifies this oversight through a compelling analysis of Arab folk literature. He builds his study from the historical, textual, social, and cultural implications of this tradition, and follows a standardized transcription system based on pronunciation rather than spelling. Including two original essays, this collection captures the full texture and style of Arab folk literature, opening the door to further, necessary analysis.