How did poets use praise and satire in conflicts between Arab tribes?

In the pre-Islamic Arabic literary tradition, the poet—or shāʿir—served as a vital tribal dignitary and a powerful "verbal weapon" during intertribal conflicts. Poetry was deeply integrated into public life, functioning as a tool to influence the fortunes of the tribe in matters of war and social standing.12

Poets utilized two primary modes to serve their tribes:

• Praise: Poets composed odes to extol the virtues of their own tribe, specifically highlighting the chivalry and generosity of its men, the beauty of its women, and the heroic deeds of its warriors. This served to boost tribal morale and solidify communal identity.13
• Satire (hijāʾ): This was considered a potent form of magic, often viewed as equivalent to warfare itself. By pouring scorn on the foibles and weaknesses of opposing tribes, poets sought to disgrace their enemies. These satirical verses were weaponized to demoralize adversaries, and in the early tradition, they were believed to be so powerful that they could be as damaging as a physical spear hurled in battle.214

Through these performances, the poet acted as the tribe's official spokesman, defending its honor and perpetuating its history.13