Wasf is an ancient style of Arabic poetry characterized as descriptive verse. The concept of wasf was also borrowed into Persian, which developed its own rich poetic tradition in this descriptive mode.
Facts
Place of OriginAbbasid Baghdad and later Spain 1 Defining TraitDescribes and praises each part of a lover's body in turn, with extravagant metaphors 1 Sources
1. Wasf - Wikipedia
Role in Arabic verse, origin
Probably deriving from the descriptions of the abandoned campsite and beloved in the ancient qasida's erotic prelude, and of animals and landscape in the journey section, or rahiil, it evolved into a genre of its own in Abbasid Baghdad and later in Spain.
Role in Arabic verse, love poems
In waṣf love poems, each part of a lover's body is described and praised in turn, often using exotic, extravagant, or even far-fetched metaphors.
View the SourceReader 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.