A strophic Arabic verse form closely related to the muwashshah but composed entirely in colloquial rather than classical Arabic, developed in Islamic Iberia and still a living oral and performance form in the Levant today, especially in Lebanese improvised poetic duels.
Facts
Place of OriginAl-Andalus (Islamic Iberia), 11th-12th century; today a living oral tradition in Lebanon and the Levant. 1 StructureStrophic stanzas in colloquial Arabic, structurally close to the muwashshah's shifting rhyme and refrain pattern. 1 Notable ExampleIbn Quzman's 12th-century zajal collection, the form's classical foundation; Lebanese zajal poetic-duel performance today. 1 Connections
Form Of Genre
Source The Princeton Encyclopedia of Poetry and Poetics
Influenced By
Source The Princeton Encyclopedia of Poetry and Poetics
In the Other Atlases
- Also in Geography Atlas: Lebanon, originated there.
Sources
1. The Princeton Encyclopedia of Poetry and Poetics
Princeton University Press
UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage: Al-Zajal, Recited or Sung Poetry
Description section, opening paragraphQuote, Description section, opening paragraph
Al-Zajal is a form of Lebanese folk poetry declaimed or sung at social and family celebrations and in daily life.
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.