Feminae: Medieval Women and Gender Index
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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
Primary Evidence:
Illustrations:
Table:
Abstract:
Related Resources:
Author's Affiliation:
Conference Info:
- , -
Year of Publication:
2018.
Language:
English
ISSN/ISBN:
15368742 (Print); 21516073 (Online)