Fragile ceasefire in Gaza: Egypt's intelligence chief visits Israel to advance peace process    Egypt, Qatar discuss Gaza aid, bilateral cooperation    Egypt, France agree to boost humanitarian aid, rebuild Gaza's health sector    Egypt implements 60% of 300 investment climate reforms: El-Khatib    AOI overhauls, repairs nitrogen fertilizer plant turbines for first time in Egypt    Egypt's SCZONE head meets with Toyota Tsusho, Tokyo officials on Japan tour    Egyptian junior and ladies' golf open to be held in New Giza, offers EGP 1m in prizes    EGX closes mixed on Oct. 21    The Survivors of Nothingness — Part Two    EGAS, Eni, TotalEnergies sign Cronos field handling agreement    Oil prices drop on Tuesday    Egypt discusses troop deployment to Somalia with foreign minister    Egypt's PM reviews efforts to remove Nile River encroachments    Health Minister reviews readiness of Minya for rollout of universal health insurance    Egypt strengthens ties with NEPAD at Aswan Forum    Sisi invites Egyptians to join Gaza reconstruction drive, citing shared humanity    Egypt screens 13.3m under presidential cancer detection initiative since mid-2023    Egypt launches official website for Grand Egyptian Museum ahead of November opening    The Survivors of Nothingness — Episode (I)    Al-Sisi: Cairo to host Gaza reconstruction conference in November    Egypt, WHO sign cooperation strategy to strengthen health system through 2028    Egypt successfully hosts Egyptian Amateur Open golf championship with 19-nation turnout    Africa can lead global recovery, Egypt's Sisi tells Aswan Forum    Egypt: Guardian of Heritage, Waiting for the World's Conscience    Egypt, Qatar sign MoU to boost cooperation in healthcare, food safety    Egypt will never relinquish historical Nile water rights, PM says    Al Ismaelia launches award-winning 'TamaraHaus' in Downtown Cairo revival    Al-Sisi, Burhan discuss efforts to end Sudan war, address Nile Dam dispute in Cairo talks    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile actions, calls for global water cooperation    Egypt unearths New Kingdom military fortress on Horus's Way in Sinai    Egyptian Open Amateur Golf Championship 2025 to see record participation    Syria releases preliminary results of first post-Assad parliament vote    Karnak's hidden origins: Study reveals Egypt's great temple rose from ancient Nile island    Egypt resolves dispute between top African sports bodies ahead of 2027 African Games    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Folk Hero:Al-Zahir Beibars
The classic epic of real-life-figure-turned-hero al-Zahir Beibars describes a struggle between the good and the bad during the 300-year reign of the mighty Mamluk generals
Published in Ahram Online on 06 - 06 - 2011

When the Mongols destroyed Baghdad, many storytellers left the Abbasid capital to Egypt. It was around this time, between the thirteenth and the fifteenth centuries, that the major epics of Arab literature came into being, and many were flavoured by the ongoing conflicts.
One of those epics, that of thirteenth century Sultan, al-Zahir Beibars (a real figure) was elevated to the status of a cult hero, along with Antara, Seif Ibn Zi yazan, and Zat al-Hemma. The epics were often written in the colloquial language of the time.
The epic describes a period of Egyptian history marred by a power struggle among the mighty breed of Mamluk generals, who were to reign supreme in the country for more than three centuries.
The epic opens with the death of al-Malik al-Salih, the last Ayyubid king. Upon his death two groups vie for power: Aybak the Turkman and Qalawun on one hand; and Shahin al-Afram, al-Zahir Beibars and al-Bahlawan on the other.
The first group is evil to the bones, manipulative and untruthful. Determined to seize power, Aybak the Turkoman and Qalawun feign allegiance to Amir Eissa, the son of al-Malik al-Saleh. Their plan is to turn Eissa against Beibars and then take over.
The second group, led by Beibars, is portrayed as pure of heart, brave in battle and God-fearing.
At first, the conspirators manage to turn Eissa against al-Zaher. But al-Zaher wins Eissa's trust and ultimately succeeds Eissa as ruler. The righteous win the day.
A main theme of the tale is plotting and betrayal, but it is executed with careless naiveté.
Take, for example Osman, the man al-Zaher sends to be his spy in Eissa's court. Osman, who is an alcoholic, is asked to refrain from drinking on the job. But as soon as he comes into the presence of Eissa, Osman is unable to contain his urges. Good wine, beautiful female dancers and a lovely party in the garden loosen his tongue and he puts himself and his employer at great risk.
The storytellers weaved fantastical tales around Beibar, creating improbable situations and arranging events in an inaccurate chronological order.
But the powerful epic stood the test of time as a reservoir of collective memory, a tale just as magical and gripping as those of Antara, Beni Helal and Arabian Nights.
(Compiled by Rushdy Saleh)


Clic here to read the story from its source.