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As part of its support for studies of Nabati poetry and popular culture, the Poetry Academy of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage published a book by the Saudi poetess and researcher Hissa Hilal (Rimiya).
The title of the work is "Divorce and Kholu’ Poetry - A Reading of the Status of Women in Tribal Society - Nabati Poetry as a Witness". Kholu’ is the process of initiating divorce by Muslim women.
The book is made up of 297 pages. The print is in small format and is divided into two main parts. The first chapter, ’The Right of Choice’, contains seventeen poems and includes notes. The second chapter, ’Rejection and Resistance’, includes seventy-eight poems, again with notes. The study contains an alphabetical index of the names of known figures mentioned in the book. In addition to this is a page of references which the researcher has used for the study.
At the outset of the book the author emphasizes that the study is exclusively concerned with the category of helpless and unhappy women. She stresses that the study does not deal with all women in tribal society. The poems and verses of poetry were compiled from female Bedouin poets who were subject to tribal laws. They have been published by the author for the first time in this book. The author affords more credibility to these verses than those that have previously been published by other sources; she says this is because these words were spoken directly by those who were suffering. The author has sought to identify each poet and her story with a short paragraph prefixing their poetry citation. The book also includes an explanation of unusual vocabulary, and details of the nomadic environment.
The author took note of many changes within past and present tribal communities in terms of freedom of expression, and the importance of women’s voices in these matters. This is poetically expressed by the sharp rises created within the verses, specifically when a complaint (against a husband) or a call for justice is being made. Many women have expressed their views in different poetic styles, according to the place or period of time in which it was written.
Among the names of poets who were included in the book: Jazi Sebeya, Bukout Marria, Tarfah Sardi, Jawaz Shamaria, Raja Dosari, Ajayb bint Kharisha, Eid Sewir Shamaria, Shaha Ataibia, Tifla bint Ismail Darwish, Dhahira Shararia, Kaltham Muhairi, Marsa Attawiya, Nafla bint Shaalan Ruwailiya, Noora bint Hushan Rashidi, Hiya bint Mubarak Harthiya, and Haya bint Ayad Salmi.
Poetess Hissa Hilal, known as Rimiya, has published two poetry collections: "Lahjat Al Hail" and "Al Nadawi".
She has recently won third place in the Million’s Poet contest during its fourth season in 2009-2010. It is the biggest competition of its kind worldwide, and is organized by the Abu Dhabi Authority Culture and Heritage. A main aim of the contest is to revive interest in Nabati poetry and ensure its preservation.
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