Zajal Live: A Poetic Duel in Lebanese Arabic

The King Fahd Center at the University of Arkansas is pleased to announce “Zajal Live: A Poetic Duel in Lebanese Arabic”, a special performance by two of Lebanon’s masters of the art of oral poetry –zajal – Antoine Saadeh and Bassam Harb. The event will take place on Saturday, April 5th at 6:00 PM in the University of Arkansas Reynolds Center.  The performance is free and open to the public, and will be followed by a light reception.

Zajal, a traditional form of oral poetry declaimed in colloquial Arabic dialects, is semi-improvised and semi-sung and is most often performed in the format of a lively duel between as many as 8 poets, who divide into competing jawqas or teams. Duelists engage in verbal play upon a common theme, and dividing by teams into two sides of an issue.  Their word play consists of original rhyme schemes, punning, satire and colorful insults. Zajal poets are complemented by riddadi, musical accompanists who repeat key verses or refrains, often to encourage the poets and heighten the spirit of competition.

Prior to the event, Professor Adnan Haydar will explain the ‘rules of engagement’ and during a short intermission he will summarize the opening half of the duel.

As a prelude to the performance, UA faculty member Paula Haydar will offer an introductory brown-bag session on the history and tradition of zajal poetry. This session is also free and open to the public, and will be held in Room 408 of the Science and Engineering (SCEN) building on the UA Campus on Friday, April 4th at 1:30 PM.

Visit http://mest.uark.edu or call 479-575-2175 for more information.