The Journey of Yemeni Literature in Shaping Cultural Identity

Hebah Mohammed – Sawt Al-Amal (Voice of Hope)

The gateway of Yemeni literature opens enchanting worlds that reflect the beauty of the identity and the depth of Yemeni culture, through the pages of books and the alphabets of stories. The impact of literature is evident in weaving the cultural and human identity of this ancient land.

Have you ever wondered how written words can paint a vivid picture of a people with their colors and history? Have you thought about how novels and poems affect the reality of the Yemeni people and their society?

In this context, the importance of literature in shaping cultural identity in Yemen becomes clear. Cultural heritage, historical stories, and novels are embodied as essential elements that strengthen belonging and enhance cultural awareness. This literary journey is not merely books and authors, but an experience that reshapes memory and strengthens the collective identity of society.

Yemeni Literature: A Reflection of Identity and Heritage

In the paintings of Yemeni literature, we find a bright window that contemplates the depth of identity and the beauty of heritage. The past and present meet in one spirit, and the words harmonize like musical strings playing a symphony of Yemeni culture in all its beauty and brilliance, translated with accuracy and creativity, revealing unforgettable aspects of a history that reflects a rich heritage and a unique identity teeming with authenticity and depth.

Dr. Muhammad Musa’id, an associate professor of modern criticism at Aden University, says: “Literature is a form and part of art. Art is diverse; it is singing, dancing, music, folk culture, and literature in all its genres. This is what shapes the cultural identity of every people on Earth. We share much with the peoples of the Arabian Peninsula, the Arab world, and the broader human community, but we represent a different form of our Yemeni culture that goes back to the depths of history, drawing its uniqueness from its authentic cultural references.”

He continues: “Therefore, we have our unique fingerprint. Literature is a color from the colors of art, and art is a form of social awareness. In this sense, literature is an important means of understanding the world we live in, and it reshapes the world in its imagination, creating the world anew. In this way, it changes awareness, making the recipient understand the world in a new way that he had never imagined before. It recreates the world and changes awareness; to understand it in a new way.”

He clarified that the Yemeni identity is an identity that is formed by belonging to Yemen by geography, history, and values. We are part of Arabism and Islam, and their values are a fundamental part of the components of identity, but undoubtedly, we enjoy a special peculiarity and fingerprint called Yemen with the existence of diversity in the Yemeni geography, which is one of the most important healthy phenomena in the formation of identity, or more precisely, Yemeni peculiarity.

He confirms that the geographical diversity of Yemen has shown a difference in intellectual and cultural achievements. The literature of Tihama differs from the literature of Sana’a, Hadhramaut, or Aden, but this literature shares common ground to be the Yemeni peculiarity despite its differences from the Arab literary achievement, but together we form the identity of Arab literature belonging to one language and one geography despite its diversity.

From his perspective, Professor of Modern Literature and Criticism, Ibrahim Abu Talib, says: “There’s no doubt that language is one of the most prominent enhancers of identity among members of a society. It’s one of the important means to that end. After communication, one of the language’s most noble functions is literature, as it represents culture and creativity, embodying the most refined human emotions and their expression.”

He stressed that literature in every era and every place is best suited to strengthen cultural and societal ties among people. If it weren’t, we wouldn’t find people who have cared about poetry and literature throughout the ages. The writer and poet are the ones who express the ideas, aspirations, and emotions of society and its individuals, shaping them in a form that is essentially a mold for a cultural identity passed down through generations. They’ve managed to preserve and enhance it in their hearts, generation after generation.

On how literature contributes to strengthening individual cultural identity and belonging, Abu Talib says: “There’s no doubt that literature’s impact is significant. It’s one of the methods of Yemeni cultural diversity. The enduring wisdom of Yemeni agricultural sages, such as Ali bin Zayid and Al-Hamid bin Mansoor, has remained prevalent over time. Their influence in popular consciousness – through their teachings, presence, and embodiment of knowledge – serves as a testament to this legacy. Their sayings, whether in agricultural expertise or social customs, are present and dominant, especially in rural areas and the agricultural community.”

He continues: “Most of Yemen is an agricultural, rural society, thus literature, both poetry and prose, reflets the lives of people, who often cite the words of poets. Their experiences and sayings exist as preserved texts that resonate in the hearts of the people. In modern times, almost everyone who has received any level of education, whether little or much, can recite poetry by contemporary Yemeni writers, starting with Al-Zubairi, Al-Barduni, and Al-Muqalih, and continuing through the younger generations that came after them. All this reflects a deep sense of belonging and cultural identity among individuals.”

The previous points are also emphasized by Yahya Hizam, a poet (classical and folk), short story writer, and critic of literary texts: “There’s no doubt that Yemeni literature, especially poetry, plays a significant role in strengthening Yemeni cultural identity. Folk poetry has that priority due to its strong presence, influence, and widespread popularity among Yemeni society’s social classes, in all social and religious occasions.”

He continues: “We must not forget classical Yemeni poetry, which plays a prominent role in strengthening Arab cultural identity. It draws inspiration from the rich Islamic culture. This poetry is a literary heritage that carries great values and deep meanings, drawing its inspiration from Islamic heritage. It reflects a rich heritage rooted in thought and faith, making it a fundamental element in building and strengthening Arab cultural identity.”

Yemeni literature reflects the diversity of Yemeni culture. This is what Hizam highlighted: “Yemeni culture is diverse due to its geographic location, cultural background, and the diversity of Yemeni dialects, but it all flows into one mold: Yemeni culture.”

He continues: “We find this diversity in many aspects of life. As an example, but not the only one, we have the diversity of Yemeni musical art. There’s the San’ani singing style, Hadhrami Daan, Tihami style, and the Jawfi rhythm. We find that they all exude the aroma of Yemeni culture despite their differentiation. This only confirms and embodies the richness of Yemeni culture. We find that Yemeni literature reflects the spirit of cultural diversity.”

The Magic of Literature in Shaping Emotions

Literature reshapes reality, not as it is, but as it should be. In doing so, it reshapes individuals’ awareness and their emotional and moral values. This is its primary function, the reason for its existence. As the Hadith says, “Eloquence is a kind of magic.” The magic here means causing change at the level of consciousness, perceiving things in a new way. Dr. Muhammad Musa’id argues that literature’s impact is emotional, and emotion is more important than reason in understanding the truths of the world and its hidden aspects that cannot be grasped through strict logic.

He added that literature strengthens emotional communication and is more effective because it works on the shared values among people. This task it performs is part of its function, which arises from its nature. Literature is a verbal art, and its medium is language, but the language of literature is different. Its communication is different because its language stirs emotions more than it presents facts.

Abu Talib also pointed out that literature is present in the hearts of Yemenis, whether it’s formal classical literature or spoken folk literature. From my perspective at least, they are inseparable; they complement each other and express the various social strata in terms of their access to education, but not in terms of culture, because culture is broader and bigger. You might find an illiterate person who can’t read or write, but who possesses a great deal of oral culture, knowledge, and social customs that have become a daily and life practice for them. Therefore, Yemenis are naturally civilized, cultured, and eloquent, and they possess inherited experience and expertise in life that form a genuine fortress for them and an important customary and cultural guide.

Literature and Cultural Communication

Dr. Abu Talib says, “Literature plays a big role in cultural communication. It’s the heart and artery of that communication, bringing people together and harmonizing them. There’s no better example than Yemeni singing and religious chanting. They’re among the most prominent forms of literature that Yemenis share and gather around with love and pride because they live with them in their hearts, and various joys and events in their lives.”

He pointed out that the arts of literature contain a great deal of social bonds that unite people across governorates and districts. Therefore, we see the impact of this art and the great and beautiful meanings it carries. Overall, they achieve emotional and humanitarian connection for Yemenis, and they’ve even spread to the Arab world through modern communication tools. Therefore, high-quality, traditional art reflects the skill of a proficient producer and an experienced artist.

Yahya Hizam stated: “If literature doesn’t play a role in achieving social communication and understanding between different groups in Yemeni society, then it’s not literature to be emulated. How many thorny issues, whether between individuals or between Yemeni tribes, have been resolved through a folk Zamil (a type of Yemeni song) or a poetic ode delivered at their gathering?”

He also emphasized that Yemeni literature is connected to society, whether in celebrations, forums, meetings, or all occasions. Each occasion has a cultural flavor that is unique to each Yemeni region.