6. In these translations of Jaʿfar’s explanations, I have referenced Schine’s more literal translations from this passage, available on pages 321–22 of her article “Conceiving the Pre-Modern Black-Arab Hero.”
SWITCHING SIDES
1. Maqānibī, Sīrat al-amīra Dhāt al-Himma . . . , 1:627–54.
2. “Wear the belt” (Arabic Shidd al-zunnar) refers to a belt or sash worn by Christians and is a euphemism for becoming a Christian. From the Greek word zonarium, adopted into Arabic, it originates from the belt (also called a cincture) worn by priests and monks in Orthodox Christian communities. In literatures of Muslim-majority populations, it became a symbol for denial of Muslim beliefs.
3. “Wear the belt”: See previous note.
4. The Arabic reads malik al-burghul, “king of Portugal,” following the interpretation of Remke Kruk (personal communication) and Malcolm Lyons (Lyons, The Arabian Epic, 3:326).
5. I have used the word scriptures for simplicity, but the Arabic is injil, a term related to the Greek word evangel, meaning “Gospel.” The Arabic word appears in the Quran, and it is still debated whether it refers to a known text or set of texts, and whether they are included in any of the standardized Christian versions of the Bible.
LIKE MOTHER, LIKE SON
1. Maqānibī, Sīrat al-amīra Dhāt al-Himma . . . , 1:654–59.
2. Ghadanfar: A mature, large adult male lion. The word is also used to describe men who are muscular and rough.
THE STORY OF NURA
1. Maqānibī, Sīrat al-amīra Dhāt al-Himma . . . , 2:245–71. Corresponds to Lyons, The Arabian Epic, 3:345 (beginning at part 46). This section translated in consultation with Remke Kruk’s article “The Bold and the Beautiful.” See page 102 for a helpful explanation of the context of this episode.
2. Arabic: wa-kanat hadhihi al-malika Nura tahwa l-nisẚ wa-tabghad al-rijal—“this princess Nura loved women, and hated men.” The text here suggests that Nura’s fellow maidens were more than mere companions. It seems that Nura has a personal history of at least romantic or sexual inclination toward women, and perhaps one or more romantic and/or sexual relationships with women. (The word malika can mean “queen,” but in this context, she is the daughter of a current local king, so “princess” is more appropriate.)
A FINAL ADVENTURE
1. Maqānibī, Sīrat al-amīra Dhāt al-Himma . . . , 7:947–1013.
3. Quran 3:159.
4. Hippocrates of Kos (Arabic: Buqrat, died circa 370 BCE), also known as Hippocrates II, was an ancient Greek physician.
5. Quran 16:90a.
What’s next on
your reading list?
Discover your next
great read!
Get personalized book picks and up-to-date news about this author.
Sign up now.
* Non-English words are italicized at first mention only, in the interest of clarity and ease of reading.