Category Archives: Arabic

An Ancient Egyptian Tale – The Eloquent Peasant – الفلاح الفصيح

Posted on 14/09/2014 by

The tale of The Eloquent Peasant comes down to us from ancient Egypt  by way of four different and incomplete documents – manuscript as well as ostrica.  It is a lovely poem, written in classical Middle Egyptian, composed around 2100 BC . … Continue reading →

Rate this:

Posted in Arabic, Egypt-Ancient, Hieroglyphic, History-Ancient, Social inequality | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

The Filāḥa Texts Project: Medieval Books of Crop and Animal Husbandry

Posted on 25/07/2013 by

After some months, The Kutub al-Filāḥa – or Books of [Arabic] Husbandry – is back online and with  new materials.  It is the only source (I’m aware of) that has been systematically documenting medieval Arabic manuscripts on these topics – and … Continue reading →

Rate this:

Posted in Andalus, Arabic, Botany, Crop harvests, Egypt - Medieval, Europe - medieval, Indigenous crops & medicinal plants, Livestock, Manuscripts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Sir Burton’s Recipe for Love, from 1001 Nights

Posted on 08/02/2013 by

A Story about Love and Friendship for Valentine’s Day: First published 5 March 2011; revised 8 Feb. 2003 Prior to Richard Burton’s years of exploits in Africa, while stationed in India, he learned Arabic and studied widely both religious and … Continue reading →

Rate this:

Posted in Arabic, Arabic poetry, European explorers, Food, Middle East, Recipes, Richard Burton, Social Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Ebony & Adobe: Modern Words that Survive from Ancient Egypt – What, How and Why

Posted on 02/10/2012 by

Above are but two of a series of words that originated in the Nile Valley.  The reasons for these survivals is perhaps not such a surprise, as discussed below.  Ebony: ‘Ebony’ as named and used in ancient Egypt, was the species … Continue reading →

Rate this:

Posted in Africa-East, Arabic, Coptic, Demotic, Egypt-Ancient, Egypt-Recent, Hieroglyphic, Indigenous crops & medicinal plants, Mud brick houses | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments