Feminae: Medieval Women and Gender Index

Record Number: 43058
Author(s)/Creator(s): Magidow , Melanie,
Contributor(s):
Title: Epic of the Commander Dhat al-Himma
Source: Melanie Magidow, translator Edited by Melanie MagidowMedieval Feminist Forum 54, 3 ( 2018): Pages 1 - 62. Available open access from the Medieval Feminist Forum journal website: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2151&context=mff
Description: The following text is extracted from the longest extant Arabic sira or epic, Sirat al-amira Dhat al-Himma, meaning "Epic of the Commander Dhat al-Himma." The term amira, here translated "commander" can also be translated as "princess," "warrior woman," or "lady," among other possibilities. It is a noun of feminine gender, and it signifies a title of respect and a position of authority. As for the name Dhat al-Himma, it could be translated very literally as "she of ambition," or alternatively, "resolve," "perseverance," or "valor." This is a nickname the heroine earns through success in her adventures. At birth, she was named Fatima, but as a hero, she became the amira, Dhat al-Himma. This is her story, her sira. This epic also contains the stories of many more people, but Dhat al-Himma stands out as the most prominent character in the epic. The excerpt published here is the coming-of-age portion of her story. — [From the introduction by Melanie Magidow]
Article Type: Translation
Subject (See Also): Arabic Literature Boundaries in Literature Children in Literature Epic, Literary Genre Girls in Literature Hierarchy Servants in Literature Warfare and Warriors in Literature
Award Note: Feminae Translation of the Month, March 2021 [Posted June 2021]
Geographic Area: Eastern Mediterranean
Century: 7- 8- 9, 12
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Year of Publication: 2018.
Language: English
ISSN/ISBN: 15368742 (Print); 21516073 (Online)