Arabic fairy tales provide maps to a thousand and one dreams
The “Thousand and One Nights”, also called “Arabian Nights”, have long been known as one of the most spectacular and endearing Arabic literary works. Reading this sumptuous collection instantly spirits us away, as if on a caravan carnival, to splendorous salons where we are regaled with fantastical tales featuring memorable characters, bustling markets selling exotic finds, adventurous voyages, love stories, opulent palaces, luxurious feasts, and mysterious supernatural creatures. Few readings can match their thoughtful details whilst keeping us lingering with awe.
We are introduced to these fairy tales by means of a bold introduction of the mighty king Shahrayar, whom we learn is stricken with angst after discovering his wife’s infidelity. His manic vengeance fuels his decision to marry a new bride each night and execute her by morning to avoid any possible betrayals. Soon, the coquettish Scheherazade, daughter of the king’s vizier, offers herself to marriage in hopes of desisting his horrific deeds. Immediately, she seduces the king with a series of captivating tales that are left unfinished each night. The king’s curiosity compels him to postpone her execution so he could hear the tales’ endings, after which Scheherazade weaves other stories, for a thousand and one nights.
It is little wonder such gripping tales have flourished and travelled far and wide to eventually become an international publishing sensation. Dr. Paulo Lemos Horta, a professor of literature at New York University Abu Dhabi, enlightens us with the fascinating history of the “Thousand and One Nights” in his exquisite book, “Marvellous Thieves: Secret Authors of the Arabian Nights”. Antoine Galland, a 17th century French Orientalist and scholar, spent much time in the Middle East in service to the French court and published many important works, such as the first encyclopedia of the Islamic world, a French language translation of the Quran, and a compendium of Eastern wisdom. His appointment as an antiquary to King Louis XIV positioned him “as a collector of Oriental manuscripts for the royal library”, linking him to a fascinating network of literary circles, manuscript sellers, and coffeehouses with a vibrant storytelling culture in Constantinople and the Levantine region.
Galland fatefully chances upon a spellbinding manuscript on Sindbad the Sailor’s adventures, after which he began looking for more manuscripts with a similar flair. In 1701, he acquired a manuscript of folk tales with 282 nights of tales through a Syrian friend, in addition to purchasing other manuscripts centering on folklore. Drawing upon his understanding of Middle Eastern and French cultures, Galland would go on to elegantly translate the manuscripts into the first ever published edition of the “Thousand and One Nights”, sparking a strong demand for Oriental tales.
Such was the success of the French edition that it was swiftly translated into the English language in 1705, most notably the “445 instalments, three times weekly, over three years, were published in the journal, the London News, from 1723 to 1726”, tells us Professor Dame Marina Warner, an English cultural historian. What ensued by the French and British societies was a fascination with Oriental culture, states Professor Warner, that “swept through the salons and coffee houses, the broadsheet publishers and the theatrical impresarios” and even inspired replications in fashion and furniture, in addition to demand for coffee itself.
In 1709, Galland met with a gifted storyteller from Aleppo, Hanna Diyab, who had recounted to the scholar many Middle Eastern folk tales, subsequently, inspiring more tales for future volumes. The 12-volume collection by Galland was immensely popular throughout Europe and spurred many more translations. Diyab recalls in his diary entry the encounter with Galland:
“There was an old man who often visited us. He was in charge of the library of Arabic books. He read Arabic well and translated books from it into French. At that time, he had translated the book of Ḥikayat Alf layla wa layla [Tales of 1001 Nights]. This man asked for my help on some issues he did not understand, so I explained them to him. There were some nights missing from the book, so I told him stories that I knew. Then he completed the book with these stories, and he was very pleased with me.”
Only recently has Diyab’s riveting first-person memoir been discovered in 1993 in the Vatican’s library by linguist Jérôme Lentin and translated to the French language in 2015, Arabic in 2017, and English in 2021 – permanently questioning the genesis of the “Aladdin” and “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves” tales and many other remarkable stories that interweave the “Thousand and One Nights” volumes.
A full electronic copy of “The Book of Travels” by Hanna Diyab can be viewed on the Library of Arabic Literature website by New York University Abu Dhabi, which also offers Arabic editions and English translations of seminal works of Arabic literature. Upon reading the first few pages, readers could easily be absorbed with Diyab’s storytelling mastery, as he enthralls us with his journeys as a young man from his hometown of Aleppo to work as a guide and interpreter for Paul Lucas, the French naturalist and antiquarian to King Louis XIV. His travels take him to Cyprus, Egypt, Tripolitania, Tunis, Italy, and France between the years 1706 and 1716. Readers can’t help but feel captivated at his coffee-house style of storytelling, spiced with anecdotes and adventures, possibly spurring his imagination of the tales he later recounts to Galland.
To illustrate, Diyab recounts when Lucas comes across a tomb-cave dug into the earth near the Syrian city of Idlib. A goatherd is summoned to excavate some possible artefacts, after which he emerges with an old lamp and a ring – a surprisingly similar fate to that of Aladdin. Another interesting juxtaposition is when Diyab first visits the Palace of Versailles and describes its grandeur and the splendor of its inhabitants who are adorned with precious jewels – also reminiscent of Aladdin’s marvel at the palace of the Sultan.
The sheer imagination of the “Thousand and One Nights” fairy tales is what makes it quintessentially universal and relevant, setting themselves free from their frame tales and venturing out into the world as eager nomads traversing between countries. Professor Warner argues how such tales have “travelled back and forth [between Persia, India, Iraq, Turkey, Egypt, and Europe], camping and settling until they became indigenous throughout the world of literature”. Countless translations and retellings of the “Thousand and One Nights” ensued, most prominently the versions by the English cleric Edward Forster in 1802, the English explorer and writer Richard Burton in 1885, the Scottish author Andrew Lang in 1898, and the Egyptian writer and winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature Naguib Mahfouz in 1979.
“Her stories are white magic. They open up worlds that invite reflection,” says Mahfouz in the voice of Shahriyar. Inevitably, there is an element of marvel that accompanies us as we spend an afternoon savoring the wondrous tales of the “Thousand and One Nights”. Between battling raging genies, being cast faraway to unknown lands, strolling through bustling Arabian markets, beholding unspeakable treasures, and recounting tales to save one’s life – readers are presented with a theatrical performance complete with unforgettable plots and endearing characters. Such is the beauty of this masterpiece that it is hard to fall into boredom; one is met with surprise and astonishment with every flip of a page. Characters are infused with courage and ingenuity, enough to save themselves and be rewarded with unbelievably good fortune. Others are met with tragic fates and learn to live contentedly with them. One thing for sure is this – the tales are evergreen, possessing the ability to inspire and generate even more tales, twists, and versions.
Nevertheless, Galland’s translation is truly elegant and readers can appreciate the graceful manner in which he navigates important themes. Characters and plots form the basis for discussing essential issues in playful manners, such as envy, love, courage, generosity, virtue, and sadness. We are also reassured of how good triumphs over evil, not forgetting the merits of remaining resilient, righteous, and steadfast. On the other hand, readers soon learn of the many pathways characters endure for making unfavorable decisions or acting in malevolent ways, facing reprimand in the shape of some misfortune.
Perhaps what peppers the tales is the fascinating dialogues and monologues amongst the various characters, infused with strong expressions of emotions, internal conflicts, and conflicts with other people. At the same time, the tales enjoy a certain finesse when it comes to witty plots, overcoming challenges, and solving riddles. Many of the tales have exceptional female protagonists who are great role models for young girls. Friendships and strong family connections remain an endearing part of the characters’ lives. What brings this all together is the irresistible beauty of the literary prose and poetry embellishing the tales with depictions of the cultural history of the region and its unique aesthetics around food, fashion, and opulence.
The story of “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves” tells the tale of two brothers, Cassim and Ali Baba who are left impoverished after their father’s death. Cassim marries a rich widower and finds himself estranged from his poor brother Ali Baba, who marries a woman as poor as himself. While working one day in a forest, Ali Baba witnesses a band of forty thieves entering a cave with the secret statement “Open, Sesame!”. He waits until he is alone to enter the cave and is astonished by the plenitude of gold and silver, of which he grabs as much as he can attempt to carry back home.
Cassim soon finds out and endeavors to get a share of the precious stash, yet forgets the very words to leave the cave. He is soon discovered by the thieves and is murdered. As the tale unfolds, we have much to reflect upon; envy is self-consuming and could lead us astray to dangerous paths in life. At the same time, many virtues are exalted and rewarded in the tale. For example, the diligent and loyal servant Morgiana is rewarded for her intelligence through good fortune and being chosen to marry Ali Baba’s son. At the same time, Ali Baba would not have received such loyalty without first practicing sincere respect towards those less fortunate than him. Despite coming across plenty of riches, Ali Baba and his family used their good fortune in moderation, reflecting the importance of modesty.
The audacious tale of “Sindbad the Sailor” recounts seven incredulous voyages that Sindbad embarks on, as he escapes the idle life and seeks adventure out in foreign lands. His beautiful tales inspire readers to embrace their wanderlust spirits, sate their curiosities, and forge new friendships. Perhaps most importantly, readers appreciate the evolution of Sindbad’s strength and wisdom, as he is met with challenges that hone his inner character. We could say that indeed it was a life well-lived.
The marvelous tale of “Prince Ahmad and the Fairy Peri-Banu” also shares this love for exploration as the princes are impelled to prove their worthiness in order for one of them to be deemed suitable to wed their beautiful cousin, princess Nur al-Nihar. According to the translation by Richard Burton, the king tells his sons:
“Go ye and travel to distant countries, each one separating himself from the others; and do ye bring me back the thing most wondrous and marvellous of all sights ye may see upon your wayfarings; and he who shall return with the rarest of curiosities shall be husband to the Princess Nur al-Nihar.”
Throughout their individual journeys, the princes meet with fascinating people and each return with items so rare and exceptional, leaving their father confounded with amazement. Eventually, Prince Ahmad marries the Fairy Peri-Banu, consoling us with an ever more tender love story than he could have imagined after his loss.
There is a very skilled art in creating an iconic, immersive experience around the “Arabian Nights” theme and the UAE’s efforts showcase how proudly adept it is at this. It seems fitting then that Abu Dhabi’s Cultural Foundation hosted the bedazzling exhibition titled “From Cinderella to Sindbad: Germany and Arab Timeless Tales” last year to coincide with the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2021, in collaboration with key UAE, Arab, and Germany cultural institutions. The result was a delightful and thoughtfully executed exhibition providing an unrivalled glimpse at 100 priceless items reflecting the beautiful heritage of folk tales in the Arab world and Germany.
The virtual exhibition is still active and one can spend some time appreciating ancient Egyptian papyri dating to the 9th century BC, rare manuscripts of the Banu Hilal nomadic Arabs, works by Arab poet Al Mutanabbi, the first European edition of the Arabian Nights by French scholar Antoine Galland, manuscripts written by German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, classic Arabian Nights editions, contemporary books and comics, and the more recently published Emirati folk tales. Alongside the exhibition, a number of exciting programs were available for adoring bibliophiles, such as creative writing and storytelling workshops, in addition to live performances bringing to life the many folk tales based on cherished literary characters from fairy tales.
The UAE has also been active in preserving its rich folk tales and publishing them as part of the “Books – Made in UAE” initiative. In 2017, the UAE Board on Books for Young People and the Goethe-Institut Gulf Region partnered to organize a workshop series centered on Emirati folk tales with the aim of retelling them in modern, appealing ways for audiences. The result was the publication of 15 Emirati folk tales at the 2018 edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, including Bakhita and her Dog by Asma Al Ketbi, Umm Al Habban by Ameera Bin Kadra, Bdeiha by Nadia Al Najjar, Khonfor Zonfor by Maitha Al Khayat, and Entaifan by Noura Khoori.
Never one to miss out on an adventure, the Louvre Abu Dhabi recently launched the Kayak Cinema Show – to fabulous effect. Visitors can book a kayaking tour at the tranquil waters around the museum whilst enjoying a special screening of ‘The Arabian Nights: Adventures of Sindbad’ in 22-minute episode slots in Arabic, with English subtitles. A wonderful experience to reawaken nostalgic childhood memories, each episode features incredulous adventures of the little boy Sindbad, who sails the seas with his companions in order to restore the raven Sheila back to her original form of a beautiful young princess.
Literary lovers make no secret of their affection of the “Thousand and One Nights” fairy tales. Perhaps it’s the amalgamation of everything beautiful in diverse world cultures, the fascinating invisible threads that interlace each of the tales together in one riveting read, or the endearing characters and their incredulous tales. Or perhaps, more than all this, it’s the notion that we’ve escaped the humdrum of our day and ventured far and wide within our imaginations. Simply put, it is a comforting feeling to live that sensation vicariously and see it all wrapped up in a satisfying ending befit for all.
One should not miss reading these beautiful tales, not a moment too soon.
Published in the Winter 2022 issue of Shawati magazine.
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