Items related to Desert Tracings : Six Classic Arabian Odes by 'Alqama,...
Desert Tracings : Six Classic Arabian Odes by 'Alqama, Shanfara, Labid, 'Antara, Al-A'sha, and Dhu al-Rumma - Softcover
Synopsis
According to legend, the Bedouin tribes of pre-Islamic Arabia held poetry competitions during annual fairs near Mecca. The wining poems called Mu’allaqát, or Hanging Odes, were embroidered in gold on banners and suspended from the walls of Arabia’s most sacred shrine, Ka’ba. Desert Tracings is a translation of six classical sixth to eighth century odes. Arabic codes (qasidas) traditionally begin with the relationship of the lover to the loved. Usually set at opening in the beloved’s abandoned desert campsite, where the only evidence that remains is tent marks and torrent beds in the sand – “naked tracings,/ worn thin, like inscriptions/ carved in flat stones” – the qasida moves gracefully through the thematic parts, the lover’s grief, the quest, and the final acceptance of a world deprived of the beloved. Like the oryx-doe trapped within the unyielding cycles of the desert world.
As Michael Sells writes in his introduction, the qasidahas been overshadowed in the West by other Arabic literature, such as The Arabian Nights, but the qasidais are the primary literary tradition in both pre-Islamic and Islamic Arabia. The remarkable richness of language and range of mood captured in theses translations help explain their enduring fascination.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
From the Publisher
5 1/2 x 9 trim. Frontis. LC 88-28084
About the Author
MICHAEL A. SELLS was graduated from Gonzaga University in Washington (A.B. 1971) and from the University of Chicago (Ph.D. 1982). He was Andrew W. Mellon postdoctoral fellow in the humanities at Stanford from 1982 to 1984. Since 1984 he has been assistant professor of Islam and comparative religions at Haverford College. He has been poetry editor of the Chicago Review. His home is in Haverford, Pennsylvania.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherWesleyan University Press
- Publication date1989
- ISBN 10 0819511587
- ISBN 13 9780819511584
- BindingPaperback
- Number of pages87
- EditorMichael A. Sells
- Rating
Buy New
Learn more about this copy
US$ 9.25
Shipping:
US$ 4.00
Within U.S.A.
Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace
Stock Image
Desert Tracings : Six Classic Arabian Odes by 'Alqama, Shanfara, Labid, 'Antara, Al-A'sha, and Dhu al-Rumma
Seller: SecondSale, Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Item in good condition. Textbooks may not include supplemental items i.e. CDs, access codes etc. Seller Inventory # 00061538018
Quantity: 2 available
Stock Image
Desert Tracings : Six Classic Arabian Odes by 'Alqama, Shanfara, Labid, 'Antara, Al-A'sha, and Dhu al-Rumma
Published by
Wesleyan University Press, 1989
ISBN 10: 0819511587
ISBN 13: 9780819511584
Used
Softcover
Seller: ZBK Books, Carlstadt, NJ, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: acceptable. Used book - May contain writing, notes, highlighting, bends or folds. Text is readable, book is clean, and pages and cover mostly intact. May show normal wear and tear. Item may be missing CD. May include library marks. Fast Shipping. Seller Inventory # ZBM.1EMSA
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Desert Tracings : Six Classic Arabian Odes by 'Alqama, Shanfara, Labid, 'Antara, Al-A'sha, and Dhu al-Rumma
Published by
Wesleyan University Press, 1989
ISBN 10: 0819511587
ISBN 13: 9780819511584
Used
Softcover
Seller: ZBK Books, Carlstadt, NJ, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: acceptable. Used book - May contain writing, notes, highlighting, bends or folds. Text is readable, book is clean, and pages and cover mostly intact. May show normal wear and tear. Item may be missing CD. May include library marks. Fast Shipping. Seller Inventory # ZKM.5VWN
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Desert Tracings : Six Classic Arabian Odes by 'Alqama, Shanfara, Labid, 'Antara, Al-A'sha, and Dhu al-Rumma
Published by
Wesleyan University Press (edition Trans. from the Arabic ed.), 1989
ISBN 10: 0819511587
ISBN 13: 9780819511584
Used
Paperback
Seller: BooksRun, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: USED_GOOD. Trans. from the Arabic ed. Ship within 24hrs. Satisfaction 100% guaranteed. APO/FPO addresses supported. Seller Inventory # 0819511587-11-1
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Desert Tracings : Six Classic Arabian Odes by 'Alqama, Shanfara, Labid, 'Antara, Al-A'sha, and Dhu al-Rumma
Published by
Wesleyan University Press, 1989
ISBN 10: 0819511587
ISBN 13: 9780819511584
Used
paperback
Seller: Half Price Books Inc., Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_402614945
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Desert Tracings: Six Classic Arabian Odes by 'Alqama, Shánfara, LabÃd, 'Antara, Al-A'Sha, and Dhu Al-Rúmma
Published by
Wesleyan University Press, 1989
ISBN 10: 0819511587
ISBN 13: 9780819511584
Used
Paperback
Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Fair. No Jacket. Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 1.3. Seller Inventory # G0819511587I5N00
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Desert Tracings : Six Classic Arabian Odes by 'Alqama, Shanfara, Labid, 'Antara, Al-A'sha, and Dhu al-Rumma
Published by
Wesleyan University Press, 1989
ISBN 10: 0819511587
ISBN 13: 9780819511584
Used
Softcover
Seller: Ergodebooks, Houston, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Softcover. Condition: UNSPECIFIED. Seller Inventory # SONG0819511587
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Desert Tracings : Six Classic Arabian Odes by 'Alqama, Shanfara, Labid, 'Antara, Al-A'sha, and Dhu al-Rumma
Seller: HPB-Ruby, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_414182414
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Desert Tracings : Six Classic Arabian Odes by 'Alqama, Shanfara, Labid, 'Antara, Al-A'sha, and Dhu al-Rumma
Seller: Midtown Scholar Bookstore, Harrisburg, PA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Very Good - Crisp, clean, unread book with some shelfwear/edgewear, may have a remainder mark - NICE PAPERBACK Standard-sized. Seller Inventory # M0819511587Z2
Quantity: 6 available
Stock Image
Desert Tracings : Six Classic Arabian Odes by 'Alqama, Shanfara, Labid, 'Antara, Al-A'sha, and Dhu al-Rumma
Seller: Midtown Scholar Bookstore, Harrisburg, PA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Good. Good - Bumped and creased book with tears to the extremities, but not affecting the text block, may have remainder mark or previous owner's name - GOOD Standard-sized. Seller Inventory # M0819511587Z3
Quantity: 3 available