Quick Facts
- Arabic:
- âassemblyâ
- Key People:
- Alaa al-Aswany
- al-កarīrī
- al-HamadhÄnÄ«
- Related Topics:
- Arabic literature
- musÄmarah
Adding us as a Preferred Source tells Google you trust our content, so our articles show up more often in your Google Search, Discover feed, and AI Overviews.
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.
Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
MaqÄmÄt of al-កarÄ«rÄ«
Discussion near a village, from the 43rd maqÄmah of the MaqÄmÄt (âAssembliesâ) of al-កarÄ«rÄ«, miniature painted by YaឥyÄ ibn MaឥmÅ«d al-WÄsiá¹Ä«, 1237; in the BibliothÚque Nationale, Paris.
maqÄmah
Arabic literature
maqÄmah, Arabic literary genre in which entertaining anecdotes, often about rogues, mountebanks, and beggars, written in an elegant, rhymed prose (sajÊ¿), are presented in a dramatic or narrative context most suitable for the display of the authorâs eloquence, wit, and erudition.
The first collection of such writings, which make no pretense of being factual, was the MaqÄmÄt of al-HamadhÄnÄ« (d. 1008). It consists mainly of picaresque stories in alternating prose and verse woven round two imaginary characters. The genre was revived and finally established in the 11th century by al-កarÄ«rÄ« of Basra (Iraq), whose MaqÄmÄt, closely imitating al-HamadhÄnÄ«âs, is regarded as a masterpiece of literary style and learning.
This article was most recently revised and updated by J.E. Luebering.
Discover how ordinary objects work, and expand your understanding of the familiar.
" height="20" alt="HEW Logo">
By clicking "Sign Up", you consent to the Britannica Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.