Sīrat al-Ẓāhir Baybars (Arabic: سيرة الظاهر بيبرس, lit. 'Biography of al-Zahir Baibars'), also known as al-Sīrah Ẓāhirīyah (السيرة الظاهرية), is a long Egyptian folkloric epic poem that narrates the life and heroic achievements of the Mamluk Sultan al-Zahir Baibars al-Bunduqdari.
Literary features
editThe poem features romantic images of gallant cavaliers, soldiers and explorers. For example, in telling the tale of the Syrian Ismailis of the Mamluk period the Banu Isma’il, descendants of ‘Ali, are depicted as the archetype of honor and justice. Female members of the community such as Shamsa also feature in the Mamluk tale. Here, the Banu Isma’il is charged with special tasks such as saving Baybars from captivity by Genoese pirates. [1]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Virani, Shafique N. The Ismailis in the Middle Ages: A History of Survival, A Search for Salvation (New York: Oxford University Press), 2007, p. 106.
Further reading
edit- Sirat al-Zahir Baibars, Printed by Mustafa al-Saba, Cairo 1923.
- Idem Republished in 5 volumes by Alhay'ah Almisriyah, Editor Gamal El-Ghitani, Cairo 1996. ISBN 977-01-4642-0
- Alzahir Baibars, Dar Almaref, Cairo 1986.
- Gamal El-Ghitani, Sirat Alzahir Baibars 1996.
- Al-Maqrizi, Al Selouk Leme'refatt Dewall al-Melouk, Dar al-kotob, 1997.
- Idem in English: Bohn, Henry G., The Road to Knowledge of the Return of Kings, Chronicles of the Crusades, AMS Press, 1969.
- Sadawi. H, Al-Mamalik, Maruf Ikhwan, Alexandria.
- The New Encyclopædia Britannica, Macropædia, H.H. Berton Publisher,1973-1974.
- Culture Encyclopedia, Kitab alshab, Cairo 1972.