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qarīឍ

Arabic poetry category

Quick Summary

The term qarīឍ refers to Arabic poetry, which holds a significant place in Arab cultural heritage, reflecting identity, history, and aspirations. Historically, poets served as crucial voices, capable of praising allies and denigrating enemies, a role that has persisted through various eras.1

The qarīឍ encompasses two main forms:
* Qiṭʿah: A shorter poem, often focused on a single theme or composed for a specific occasion, such as an elegy (marthiyyah).1
* Qasīdah: A longer, polythematic poem that could exceed 100 lines. Traditionally, it followed a structure that included a nostalgic prologue (nasīb), a description of a journey (raឥīl), and a section praising the tribe or patron (madīឥ). The qaṣīdah was a characteristic form for panegyrics and could also be used for religious praise.12

Early Arabic poetry, particularly the qaṣīdah, often invoked imagery of the desert and celebrated values like chivalry, generosity, and hospitality. While traditional forms like the qaṣīdah remain, modern Arabic poetry has also seen experimentation with variable line lengths and new poetic discourses.1

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