Literature and Politics in Yemen: A Journey Through Resistance and Making Positive Change

Ahmed Bajoaim – Sawt Al-Amal (Voice of Hope)

Literature and politics, in general, are intertwined. Literary art intertwines with political and social dimensions to shape societal consciousness throughout history. Literature has played a vital role in conveying the concerns and hopes of the Yemeni people, reflecting their reality amidst the political and social transformations the country is going through. This is done through poetry, novels, and theater. Yemeni writers have also been able to shed light on political issues, turning points, and transformations. This has made literature not only a mirror reflecting reality but also a tool to influence local and international society.

The relationship between literature and politics in Yemen is intricate and complex, influenced by Yemeni history, culture, and society. It serves as a mirror reflecting the reality of society in all its aspects and cannot be separated from the political context in which it arises. Literature often serves as a driver or promoter of political ideas. During times of conflict and political transformation, many literary works emerge that reflect challenges and crises, embodying the people’s aspirations for a better future. This is done through literary analysis of Yemeni crises, and it plays a significant role in shaping national identity.

Political Literature

Dr. Taha Husain Al-Hadhrami, a literary critic and professor of narrative said: “The concept of political literature is an old one, discussed by pens since the time of the Greeks. It is an old concept that is constantly renewed and is also known as the relationship between the ruler and the ruled in general, according to modern requirements. The relationship between political literature and society is complex in a direct way. It cannot be separated for many reasons, including the intertwining of political concepts between state leadership and the general public, and also the shared connection between the roles of the ruler and the ruled, which are well-recognized today. This is what political literature knew in the past. It becomes clear that literature has set the main features of the policies being implemented in our time.”

He continues: “Columbia University defined political science as the study of governments, institutions, and several behaviors practiced by political figures. This science focuses on studying the mechanism of government in its legislative and executive branches, as well as some informal organizations such as public opinion groups and political parties. Literature is also concerned with studying all political activities of individuals. This naturally explains that literature connected to these issues is considered political literature.”

He clarified that political literature is a perspective that reflects the economic, social, political, intellectual, and cultural situation, among other realistic aspects of society. These are published through different literary genres such as prose, poetry, novels, and others.

Literary critic Dr. Abdul-Qadir Ba-’Isa, on the other hand, pointed out that political literature is one type of literature in general. It aims to expose social and political reality and raise collective awareness. It is not only about shedding light on pressing issues, but it goes beyond that to become a tool for change and an expression of intellectual resistance. The literary works that belong to this trend are characterized by their boldness in presenting ideas and challenging traditional patterns of cultural criticism by blending artistic aesthetics with deep political analysis.
He adds: “The role of writers in this regard lies in providing new insights that encourage critical thinking and stimulate societal dialogue on vital issues.”

Literature and Social Changes

Dr. Al-Hadhrami, the literary critic, affirms that literature is one of the factors that influence political and social change through criticism and how it is conveyed to the public. For this reason, it is closer to invoking the creator rather than invoking creativity.

He points out that every literary work is influenced by the reality in which it is lived, negatively or positively. The relationship between form and content in a literary work is dynamic and changing, as the artistic form chosen by the writer greatly affects the delivery of the content. For example, a writer may use symbolism or satire to express profound ideas or criticize an authority.

He adds: “In political literature, many writers and authors address the negative aspects of rulers on their societies in their writings to try to bring about positive change. Among these writers is Nagib Mahfudh, who wrote about oppression and the social injustice that accompanied a particular political period during the monarchy in Egypt, through human models who lived life in their way.”

Al-Hadhrami adds: “One of the most prominent of these models was the model of ‘Mahgub Abdul-Da’im,’ whose motto towards reality was ‘never mind’ in Egyptian cinema. This person describes his political, social, intellectual, and economic reality in a specific way. This discussion is contingent on the readers’ understanding of the novel and how it takes on the side of influence, meaning that it is influenced negatively or positively, but it positively affects reality, despite the negativity of the approach.”

On his part, literary critic Dr. Ba-‘Isa clarified that political literature has become a powerful tool for influencing society and bringing about profound changes by offering critical and analytical insights into political and social realities. Political literature can educate the masses and raise awareness about crucial issues affecting their lives. Its role goes beyond mere criticism, becoming a catalyst for change by encouraging readers to think deeper about the issues it tackles. It creates a dialogue between the writer and the reader about power, justice, and freedom, pushing societies to seek ways to improve their political and social realities.

He added: “However, political literature can also have a negative impact if used as a tool for propaganda or to perpetuate extremist ideas. These writers cannot be considered literary figures, as their writings are not positive and do not contribute to the betterment of society. Instead of promoting freedom and pluralism, it can contribute to undermining democratic foundations and fueling divisions within society. The impact of political literature depends on the intentions behind it and how it is received by the public. Good political literature is the kind that drives positive change by encouraging critical thinking and promoting fundamental human values.”

The Importance of Literary Employment

Dr. Taha Husain Al-Hadhrami emphasized that writers have deeply employed political literature in the Yemeni context, paying attention to the finest details, and there was a very beautiful plot that narrated the suffering of Yemenis, whether in exile or the country, and they tried to highlight the problems and suffering to rectify them. There are many examples of this, such as when Yemeni writer Muhammad Abdul-Wali spoke about the issue of Yemenis’ concern with migration that he addressed in his novel “They Die Strangers,” and it intertwined the political and social file beautifully, as the migration of Yemenis abroad is a result of political and economic suffering in Yemen. Similarly, the novel “A Country Without Sky” by writer Wajdi Al-Ahdal, in which the writer discusses political issues and the heroine of the novel dies at the beginning of the story. These novels and others have employed the Yemeni reality and Yemenis in the diaspora.

He pointed out that poetry has a long history of conveying the suffering of Yemenis and emulating their reality if it is employed beautifully through an attempt to criticize those responsible with the aim of changing for the better. Among these poets are: Abdullah Al-Barduni, Abdul-Aziz Al-Muqalih, Lutfi Ja’far Aman, and many other poets in modern Yemeni literature, whose poems interrogate the reality of the country, and writers also work on the implications of the event and employ it in a way that reveals its delicate details.

Literature has played a pivotal role in the Yemeni political arena, as it has been and remains a means of expressing the aspirations and suffering of the people in the face of changing circumstances, through literary pens that embody the conflicts and transformations the country has witnessed, adding a human and cultural dimension to political discussions. Furthermore, the relationship between literature and politics in Yemen reveals the extent of the influence of the word in shaping collective consciousness and bringing about social change.

The relationship between literature and politics in Yemen is a reciprocal one, affected by historical, social, and political circumstances. Despite the challenges facing Yemeni literature, it still has an important role in preserving Yemeni identity and conveying cultural heritage to future generations.