Tales from the MENA region  5 min Of Jinns and Justice

For centuries, oral storytelling has been an essential part of the MENA region’s cultural heritage, shaping identities, bridging generations, and connecting diverse societies. Through vibrant narratives passed from one storyteller to the next, these tales reflect history, traditions, and daily life

Oral tales have been passed from person to person and from generation to generation for hundreds of years. This transition keeps them alive, constantly evolving as the bearers evolve. According to Bahraini storyteller Fatima Al-Zaki, tales "document the era of grandparents and parents, as well as time before that, by vividly describing aspects such as lifestyles, housing, attire, daily traditions. In this way, it becomes a tangible record of the people's history, safeguarding the country's identity and its inhabitants."

Oral tales are so special because each individual storyteller will adapt them based on their personal experiences, perspective on life, understanding of human relationships and the relations of humans to the natural world. "Gradually, with each passing tale, the accumulated experiences of past generations become embedded within it, encompassing elements like language, terminology, daily routines, prevalent ideologies, traditions, customs, values, and even tangible aspects of material existence such as homes, land, and various locations," Jihad Darwish, the Lebanese-French raconteur says during his exclusive interview with RUYA.

Tales’ importance for individual development

Anthropologists in certain Western nations have recently concluded that the absence of oral heritage could create a deficiency in nurturing and upbringing. Oral tradition plays a role in fostering the development of certain brain functions that aren't solely enhanced through writing. Darwish suggests that there is currently a growing trend in various Western countries to conduct experiments aimed at reintroducing oral narratives into educational settings.

Tales hold a vital role in nurturing imagination, filled with mysterious and wondrous elements that defy logic and spark awe. This influence is clear in the worldwide appeal of movies like Harry Potter, showcasing magical realms and supernatural characters. Depending on the individual listener, tales will draw wisdom, lessons, meanings, symbolic interpretations, moral teachings, or specific pleasures from the tales. 
 

Relevance for communities

One of the roles of folk heritage is its ability to provide amusement and serve as a platform to showcase the social standing held by various groups such as tribes, clans, social classes, or even genders and individuals with specific occupations. In Darwish's opinion, tales convey scientific, practical and societal information, knowledge and values, and common concepts of human groups. Furthermore, tales serve as a means of education and social development by imparting values, ideals, and standards in an indirect and enjoyable manner, fostering a sense of affection and warmth.

Tales grant the listener the freedom to extract from them whatever wisdom, lessons, meanings, symbolic interpretations, moral teachings, or specific pleasures they are able to derive, all of which have a profound impact on the individual. Hence, tales "contribute to the consciousness of each individual in societies where numerous individuals attempt to impose their perspectives and dictate how others should act, think, eat, drink, and sleep. In such a society, it becomes paramount to have a domain for independent thought and free choice, and this domain is precisely the realm of storytelling." Tales can serve to expose the unspoken. Tales do not impose an opinion, but rather provide information. Tales are not intended to serve as sermons, and once they take on a sermon-like quality, their essence as tales becomes invalidated.

Throughout history, tales have served as a conduit for cultural exchange and mutual enrichment among diverse societies, groups, and cultures. This is evident in various rituals, particularly the pilgrimage to Mecca, where pilgrims would embark on arduous journeys spanning weeks and months on their feet. They would experience encounters and interactions and exchange ideas among populations hailing from Saudi Arabia to Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, the Hijaz, Syria, Iraq, and various other Muslim nations.

An oral tale or narrative can serve as a foundation for any people or cause, aiming to strengthen the bonds between individuals and unite them in a cohesive social fabric. This phenomenon is often referred to as a sense of belonging and a shared psychological spirit. The societal culture serves as the foundation for individuals to shape their lives, and this culture extends beyond the individual, possessing a 'supra-individual' nature. Its most influential patterns are concealed, latent, or subconscious. During crises that impact individuals and societies, these hidden aspects become public, leading to awareness at the level of thoughts, behaviors, and emotions (popular sayings and cliches that people commonly express in specific situations and contexts, with each saying having a backstory). This information is based on a study conducted by Mr. Hafez Al-Aswad and published in the Journal of the World of Thought in 1985.

The collective creativity of the entire group over time contributes to this cultural heritage, which is inherited and preserved through oral transmission for many generations. Anthropologist Ruth Finnegan aptly describes this rich body of knowledge as "the literature of the people. "Lebanese folklore fulfills this function, and its most splendid displays can be witnessed in Zajal and Lebanese Dabkeh, exemplified by the Caracalla band and other performers. The charm extends to Lebanese cuisine, the architecture of traditional houses, handicrafts, folk traditions associated with weddings, as well as the theatrical creations of Al-Rahbani and Fayrouz. Its significance lies not only in the individuals involved but also in preserving the cultural heritage.

Tales of the MENA region

There is a variety of oral literary traditions across the Middle East, one of which is the popular practice of Zajal singing in the Levant region. Zajal represents the literature of the ordinary people and is characterized by its use of the local language and rhythmic musical elements. It encompasses various forms such as Mawāwil, Mawāshih, al-Tabābah, and al-Mijānā. Over time, Zajal has evolved and spread, eventually reaching as far as al-Andalus. The opening theme song of the Syrian series "Assi Al-Zand - The Wolf of Assi" has garnered remarkable popularity during Ramadan in 2023. Set against the backdrop of the Orontes River, the song serves as a captivating and romantic call to action, inspiring viewers and listeners alike.

Lebanon is renowned for its abundant collection of extraordinary tales featuring ghouls and jinn, as well as tales highlighting wit and cunning. These narratives depict instances where the seemingly vulnerable individuals triumph over societal challenges and adversities, exemplified by the popular tales of Shater Hassan.

Folk tales have been shared across the Arab nations of the Middle East for centuries. Examples include the stories of Antar bin Shaddad,  Sirat Bani Hilal, Princess Zat Al-hyma, Abu Hamza Al-bahlawan, and Al-zahir Baybars. However, in recent years, their popularity has significantly waned due to the lengthy nature of these tales, the shifting preferences of the audience, and the overall transformations in cultural and artistic expressions. There is now a greater demand for shorter works that can be easily consumed.

Stories encompassing myths, wisdom, folk proverbs, and anecdotes like Juha Qaraqosh and Abu Al-nuwas, as well as epics, hunting tales, narratives about plants, trees, flowers, harvest seasons, and rivers, and accounts of animals and birds, including the renowned Kalila and Damnah (originating from India and later translated into Arabic by Abdullah bin Al-Muqaffa) have been prevalent. Additionally, tales from the collection of "One Thousand and One Nights," as well as stories centered around kings, princes, agents, and ministers, such as Saif bin Thi Yazan (originating from Yemen) and the figure of Samer Al-shabi in Egypt, have gained wide popularity. There are also stories encompassing wisdom and Sufism, albeit to a lesser extent.

These are examples of popular tales spread in the Egyptian regions that address incest and thus seek to spread justice and goodness. Incest is a disgraceful and distressing matter, to the point where its victims are more inclined to distance themselves from it compared to other issues. An illustrative anecdote narrates the tale of a young woman who faces unwanted advances from her own uncle. To evade his advances, she seeks refuge atop a palm tree. Whenever she wishes to descend, she beseeches the palm tree, saying, "Oh palm tree, shrink in height, just as short as my little finger."

Tales were also employed within the context of popular resistance as a liberating political gesture for both individuals and their communities. In Egypt, we encounter Samer Al-shabi, who joyously commemorates victories alongside the people, using his songs and musical instrument to express the spirit of the nation. Rabaa Kalayda, a Tunisian storyteller, points out that the term "Hakawati," which means storyteller in Arabic, is not commonly used in Tunisia. Instead, terms like "Fadawi", "Qawwal", or "Sharqi", all of which refer to storytellers in the Tunisian Arabic dialect, are more prevalent in the region. Nasrin al-Nur, a storyteller from Bahrain, points out that in Bahrain and other Arab Gulf nations, the term "Hazzaya" and its plural form "Hazzawi" are used to mean a tale. In Egypt, the storyteller is called "Al-Rawi," while in the Levant region, he is referred to as "Al-hakawati." In Iraq, he is referred to as "Al-qashkhun."

New challenges for an old craft

Storytellers possess the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and evolving times. As new questions and issues arise, storytellers respond by crafting tales that specifically address these concerns. Verbal tales have not disappeared; instead, they have demonstrated remarkable resilience by adapting to various circumstances and persisting through generations even before being recorded in written form. The enduring strength of these stories is evidenced by their ability to persist for thousands of years. If they were not robust and captivating, they would not have been able to withstand the test of time.

With industrial developments, the role of storytellers decreased slightly, but they regained their positions by adapting to developments and dealing with these changes. The places of storytelling took new forms in schools, hospitals, prisons, cafes and festivals. The number of storytellers is increasing. There are also many festivals held annually for the art of storytelling in all countries of the world. It is worth mentioning that throughout the history of storytelling, there is little mention of women engaging in this profession. However, today more than half of storytellers are women, indicating the vitality and advancement of this art form, as it reaches new and diverse segments of society, as pointed out by Darwish.

Technology has solved some obstacles, and it has become possible for storytellers to use lighting, music and some simple effects to improve the general atmosphere of their tales. The Bahraini storyteller Nisreen Al-Nour considers that "modern technologies attract children and increase their level of pleasure."
 

One notable development has been witnessed during the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite the challenging circumstances, storytellers continued sharing their tales online. In fact, there was an increased interest in storytelling due to the abundance of free time and the disruptions in various aspects of life, including widespread quarantines. This ability for storytellers to convey their narratives to different parts of the world in real-time through digital platforms is a remarkable achievement, as highlighted by Darwish. Indeed, the significance of physical presence in the art of storytelling cannot be understated. The inherent value lies in the connection between the storyteller and the listener, where both are present in a shared space encompassing intellectual, emotional, and spiritual dimensions. In his opinion, "the tale cannot dispense with the storyteller."

Throughout history, storytellers have consistently leveraged technological advancements and the process of evolution. From the advent of writing to the printing of books, storytellers have adeptly utilized these developments to record and safeguard stories, distribute them on a wider scale, and connect with a broader audience. Globalization has facilitated audio-visual access to all the oral and cultural heritage of the peoples of the world. Storytellers adapted to the advent of print, book, radio, and then television and the Internet. Darwish expresses concerns about the potential domination of a single version of tales over others, leading to a loss of their richness. This apprehension arises particularly when one version is prioritized in publishing, overshadowing the diverse forms and variations of tales. The rise of artificial intelligence further compounds this challenge, as it has the capability to narrate stories and convert written texts into audible formats. This presents a significant hurdle for traditional storytellers.

However, this will not mean replacing stories by storytellers with stories created by artificial intelligence, because storytellers feed the story with their experience, ideas, spirit, outlook on life, physical formations, facial and eye expressions, sensation and communication with the audience, and this is what artificial intelligence lacks. The power of tales lies in their oral nature, their vitality stemming from spoken words, and their essence rooted in verbal expression. Verbal storytelling encompasses the entirety of human experience and is not merely a mechanical repetition of words.

March 2025