Rhythmic Forms of Aisha Albaoniah: An Analysis in "Faidh Al-Fadhl wa Jam’ Al-Shaml”

Abstract

This study aims at analyzing and identifying the rhythmic forms in Aisha Albaoniah’s (d. 922 AH)  "Faidh Al-Fadhl wa Jam’ Al-Shaml”.  The value of this work is manifested in being a source of a genuine literature through which, we can identify a feminist poetry that is based on special features with a prudent critical perspective. The poetry in question was during the Mamluk era which represents a milestone in the obsolete and protracted process of Arabic literature.

"Faidh Al-Fadhl” shows that the poet had used various forms of metric forms. Firstly, the rhythmic (horizontal) poem; this form dominated the bulk of her poetry mostly made up of short, medium and long poems that may exceed two hundred lines. Secondly, muwāshshaḥāt including Altam, Alaqra’, Alfasih, Almalhoun, the Alternating, the ‘in between’, and Al-Dopeite. Thirdly, the pentameters, which were in few poems that included some pentametric verses. Lastly, examples of colloquial poetry “Malhoun” like Zajal and Almwalia, which has one metre and four rhymes. Muwāshshaḥāt, pentameters, and colloquial poetry are manifestations of renewal in the form of old poems and music.

The analysis touches upon the serious attempt of Albaoniah to employ two metres in one poem, which represents a precursor and a leading role to transcend over the traditional metres on the one hand and another kind that is directly based on the psychological or emotional state of the poet on the other.