Race in pre-Islamic poetry: the work of Antara Ibn Shaddad

Abstract

This article examines Antara Ibn Shaddad's poetry in light of early Arab encounters with Black Africa. Prior to the invasion by the Christian state of Ethiopia in 525 AD, Arab traders had used Ethiopia as their starting point for trade, in both spices and slaves. Caravans moved from Hijaz (modern day Saudi Arabia) to Abyssinia (ancient Ethiopia). Pre-Islamic poet Antara Ibn Shaddad (525–615 B.C.), who was born to an Arab father and an Ethiopian slave mother, was self-deprecating and defensive about his dark color. His defensiveness about blackness shows the racializing language at the time. Because of his lower status, Ibn Shaddad sought through his poetry and prowess in battle, reintegration into the Arab tribal social order.