Badawi al-Jabal
Encyclopedia
Badawi al-Jabal (1905–1981), is the pen name of Muhammad Sulayman al-Ahmad , a Syrian poet of high reputation in the Arab world
.
, in Latakia Governorate
, to Sulayman al-Ahmad, the head of a distinguished Alawite
family. His pen name was given to him, according to the compiler of his poetry, Midhat Akkash, by the editor of the Damascus
newspaper Alif Ba, apparently in 1920. The editor liked the poetry, but because the poet was not well known, the editor agreed to publish the poetry under the pseudonym of Badawi al-Jabal, a reference to the cloak
(aba'a) and the headband (Agal
) the poet wore at the time – like a badawi (bedouin
) coming from al-Jabal (the Alawite mountain).
Badawi al-Jabal practiced politics and poetry at an early age. As a nationalist, he joined the National Bloc
, and later on the National Party. He was imprisoned by the French mandatory
authorities in Syria, and in 1939 he sought refuge in Baghdad
. While there, he taught Arabic at the University of Baghdad
and also supported the revolt of Rashid Ali al-Kaylani
against the British in 1941. Upon returning to Syria, he was apprehended by the French authorities in 1942. Later on, he was twice elected to parliament, in 1943 and 1947. In the 1950s, he became minister of health. The defeat of the Arabs in the 1967 Arab-Israel War was a great shock to him; he wrote much poetry inspired by it. He adhered to the old school of Arabic literature
and poetry
, which upholds the classical mode. His poetry was also influenced by a mystical orientation. Selections from his poetry were published in Damascus
in 1968 by Midhat Akkash. A full anthology appeared in Beirut
in 1978 with an introduction by Akram Zuaytir.
Arab world
The Arab world refers to Arabic-speaking states, territories and populations in North Africa, Western Asia and elsewhere.The standard definition of the Arab world comprises the 22 states and territories of the Arab League stretching from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Arabian Sea in the...
.
Life and poetry
Badawi al-Jabal was born in the village of Difa in the district of al-HaffahAl-Haffah
Al-Haffah is a Syrian city administratively belonging to Latakia Governorate. Al-Haffah has an altitude of 194m. It has a population of 17,921....
, in Latakia Governorate
Latakia Governorate
Latakia Governorate or muhafazah al Ladhiqiyah is one of the fourteen governorates of Syria. It is situated in western Syria, bordering Turkey. Its reported area varies in different sources from 2,297 km² to 2,437 km² . The Governorate has a population of 991,000 and is one of the...
, to Sulayman al-Ahmad, the head of a distinguished Alawite
Alawite
The Alawis, also known as Alawites, Nusayris and Ansaris are a prominent mystical and syncretic religious group centred in Syria who are a branch of Shia Islam.-Etymology:...
family. His pen name was given to him, according to the compiler of his poetry, Midhat Akkash, by the editor of the Damascus
Damascus
Damascus , commonly known in Syria as Al Sham , and as the City of Jasmine , is the capital and the second largest city of Syria after Aleppo, both are part of the country's 14 governorates. In addition to being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Damascus is a major...
newspaper Alif Ba, apparently in 1920. The editor liked the poetry, but because the poet was not well known, the editor agreed to publish the poetry under the pseudonym of Badawi al-Jabal, a reference to the cloak
Cloak
A cloak is a type of loose garment that is worn over indoor clothing and serves the same purpose as an overcoat; it protects the wearer from the cold, rain or wind for example, or it may form part of a fashionable outfit or uniform. Cloaks are as old as human history; there has nearly always been...
(aba'a) and the headband (Agal
Agal
The agal , also spelled iqal, egal or igal, is an accessory constructed of cord which is fastened around the Keffiyeh to hold it in place. The agal is usually black in colour....
) the poet wore at the time – like a badawi (bedouin
Bedouin
The Bedouin are a part of a predominantly desert-dwelling Arab ethnic group traditionally divided into tribes or clans, known in Arabic as ..-Etymology:...
) coming from al-Jabal (the Alawite mountain).
Badawi al-Jabal practiced politics and poetry at an early age. As a nationalist, he joined the National Bloc
National Bloc (Syria)
The National Bloc was a Syrian political party that emerged to fight for Syrian independence during the French Mandate of Syria period.The party was created after a national conference in 1928, by Ibrahim Hananu....
, and later on the National Party. He was imprisoned by the French mandatory
French Mandate of Syria
Officially the French Mandate for Syria and the Lebanon was a League of Nations mandate founded after the First World War and the partitioning of the Ottoman Empire...
authorities in Syria, and in 1939 he sought refuge in Baghdad
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
. While there, he taught Arabic at the University of Baghdad
University of Baghdad
The University of Baghdad is the largest university in Iraq and the second largest Arab university following the University of Cairo.- Nomenclature :Both University of Baghdad and Baghdad University are used interchangeably....
and also supported the revolt of Rashid Ali al-Kaylani
Rashid Ali al-Kaylani
Rashid Aali al-Gaylani served as Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Iraq on three occasions. He is chiefly remembered as an Arab nationalist who attempted to remove the British influence from Iraq...
against the British in 1941. Upon returning to Syria, he was apprehended by the French authorities in 1942. Later on, he was twice elected to parliament, in 1943 and 1947. In the 1950s, he became minister of health. The defeat of the Arabs in the 1967 Arab-Israel War was a great shock to him; he wrote much poetry inspired by it. He adhered to the old school of Arabic literature
Arabic literature
Arabic literature is the writing produced, both prose and poetry, by writers in the Arabic language. The Arabic word used for literature is adab which is derived from a meaning of etiquette, and implies politeness, culture and enrichment....
and poetry
Arabic poetry
Arabic poetry is the earliest form of Arabic literature. Present knowledge of poetry in Arabic dates from the 6th century, but oral poetry is believed to predate that. Arabic poetry is categorized into two main types, rhymed, or measured, and prose, with the former greatly preceding the latter...
, which upholds the classical mode. His poetry was also influenced by a mystical orientation. Selections from his poetry were published in Damascus
Damascus
Damascus , commonly known in Syria as Al Sham , and as the City of Jasmine , is the capital and the second largest city of Syria after Aleppo, both are part of the country's 14 governorates. In addition to being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Damascus is a major...
in 1968 by Midhat Akkash. A full anthology appeared in Beirut
Beirut
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a population ranging from 1 million to more than 2 million . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan...
in 1978 with an introduction by Akram Zuaytir.