Table of Contents

Introduction 13; The Jahiliyya (4000 BCE - 622 CE) 25; Mahd al-Aadiyya 26; Afira bint Abbad 28; Laila bint Lukaiz 34; Jalila bint Murra 38; Umama bint Kulaib 42; Safiyya bint Khalid al-Bahiliyya 44; Juhaifa Addibabiyya 46; Umm Khalid Annumairiyya 48; Ishraqa al-Muharibiyya 50; Umm Addahak al-Muharibiyya 52; Anonymous 56; Khansa 58; The Islam Period (622-661) 63; Fatima bint Muhammad 64; Anonymous 72; The Umayyad Period (661-750) 75; Laila bint Sa'd al-Aamiriyya 76; Maisun bint Bahdal 78; Laila al-Akhyaliyya 80; Dahna bint Mas-hal 84; Bint al-Hubab 86; Umm al-Ward al-Ajlaniyya 90; Anonymous 92; Anonymous 94; Umaima Addumainiyya 96; The Abbasid Period (750-1258) 99; Hajna bint Nusaib 100; Raabi'a al-Adwiyya 102; Laila bint Tarif 106; Ulayya bint al-Mahdi 108; Lubana bint Ali ibn al-Mahdi 120; Anonymous 122; Inan 124; Aasiya al-Baghdadiyya 126; Zahra al-Kilabiyya 128; Aa'isha bint al-Mu'tasim 130; Fadl Ashsha'ira 132; Zabba bint Umair ibn al-Muwarriq 134; Juml 136; Umm Ja'far bint Ali 138; Arib al-Ma'muniyya 140; Thawab bint Abdullah al-Hanzaliyya 142; Salma bint al-Qaratisi 144; Safiyya al-Baghdadiyya 146; Taqiyya Umm Ali 148; Shamsa al-Mawsiliyya 152; The Andalus Period (711-1492) 155; Hafsa bint Hamdun 156; Aa'isha bint Ahmad al-Qurtubiyya 160; Mariam bint Abu Ya'qub 162; Umm al-Kiram bint al-Mu'tasim ibn Sumadih 164; Umm al-Ala bint Yusuf 168; Khadija bint Ahmad ibn Kulthum al-Mu'afiri 176; Qasmuna bint Isma'il ibn Yusuf ibn Annaghrila 178; Ghassaniyya al-Bajjaniyya 182; Wallada bint al-Mustakfi 184; I'timad Arrumaikiyya 196; Muhja bint Attayyani al-Qurtubiyya 198; Nazhun al-Gharnatiyya 200; Amat al-Aziz 204; Buthaina bint al-Muctamid ibn Abbad 206; Hind 208; Umm al-Hana bint Abdulhaqq ibn Atiyya 210; Hafsa bint al-Hajj Arrakuniyya 212; Ashshilbiyya 232; Aa'isha al-Iskandraniyya 234;Hamda bint Ziyad 236; Umm Assad bint Isam al-Himyari 240;

About the Author

Abdullah al-Udhari was born in Taiz, Yemen, in 1941, and has lived in London since 1962. He studied classical Arab literature and Sabaean epigraphy at London University, where he also received a doctorate for his pioneering study, Jahili Poetry before Imru al-Qais [4000 bce500 ce], which established him as an authority on early Jahili literature. In 1974 he founded and edited TR, an Anglo-Arab literary and arts magazine. He is a literary historian, poet and storyteller, and the author of Voice Without Passport, The Arab Creation Myth, Victims of a Map, and Modern Poetry of the Arab World.

Reviews

'Al-Udhari's effort to clarify this subject really does fill a gap and contributes to a more balanced discussion that the works about women in the modern Arab world allow.' Folklore Bulletin, Ohio State University 'The very process of anthologizing the names of so many unfamiliar poets has provided a useful historical survey.' Roger Allen, MESA Bulletin 'An outspoken and controversial book that provides many moments for both enjoyment and reflection.' Denys Johnston-Davies, Al-Ahram 'One of the most exciting books to have come my way this year ... Vividly conveys the richness and diversity of a culture more closely related to our own than we realize.' Prospect 'A unique anthology ... illuminates the unique works of Arab women poets.' Moris Farhi, Mother Tongues