Antarah ibn Shaddad (also spelt Antara or Antar) was a pre-Islamic Arabian poet and warrior who lived in the 6th century CE, roughly 525–608. He belonged to the Banu Abs tribe in central Arabia. He is one of the most celebrated figures of the Jahiliyyah era, the period before Islam. He was born to Shaddad, an Arab nobleman, and Zabibah, an enslaved Ethiopian woman. Because of this, he was born into slavery, and his father refused to recognise him at first. According to tradition, he won his freedom through bravery in battle. When his tribe came under attack, he was told he would be freed if he fought, and he went on to become its greatest champion. He is especially famous for his love for his cousin Abla, whose family looked down on him because of his origins. That romance runs through much of his poetry. His most famous poem is one of the Mu’allaqat, the seven « hanging odes » considered the finest works of pre-Islamic Arabic poetry. It combines love, pride, and descriptions of battle. His life later grew into the Sirat Antar, a long folk romance that was told for centuries across the Arab world. He remains a symbol of chivalry and courage, and of overcoming prejudice about birth and skin colour. We are meeting on the 14th of November to read and reflect on one of his poems. No panic 😃 we will explain it as we go through it. The poem we are reading will be shared in the event’s photos.

Description supplied by the event organiser.