Arabia Of The Bedouins; Author: Kurpershoek, Marcel; Author: Kurpershoek, P. M.; Hardback; Book

Author: Kurpershoek, Marcel; Author: Kurpershoek, P. M.
Hardback; Book
360 pages
Published: October 2001
Saqi Books
ISBN: 0863568092

This remarkable record of Marcel Kurpershoek's expedition and encounters in the Saudi Arabian desert in the late 1980s details his search for the living chronicle of Saudi Arabia -- the oral poetry of the Bedouins. In the vast desert, Kurpershoek discovered poets who composed verses celebrating bravery and feats of arms, especially those of the poet ad-Dindan -- proof of the authenticity of the pre-Islamic tradition in Arabian oral poetry. Part travelogue, and part book of poems, this book offers valuable insight into contemporary and traditional Saudi society.Part travelogue, part book of poems and an analysis of contemporary and traditional Saudi society. In 1986, Marcel Kurpershoek, a Dutch diplomat, was posted to Saudi Arabia. There, he started exploring the country's vast deserts and hunting in the Rub 'al-Khali, the Empty corner. His encounters are recorded in this part travelogue, part book of poems and study of traditional Saudi society.