Al-Nawagi; Halbat al-Kumayt; (the Racecourse of the Bay) (d1455)
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Al-Nawadji, Shams Al-Din Mihammad ibn Hasan ibn Ali ibn Uthman Al-Kahiri, an Arab scholar, poet and man of letters, born in Cairo in 1386AD and died there in 1455AD. His official position was teacher of hadith in several of the madrasas of Cairo. In addition to several journeys in Egypt, he twice made the hadjdj. He compiled anthologies of some of these are on the borders of belles-lettres and erotica. The most important is Halbat al-kumayt, about descriptions of wine. It was finished at the end of 1421. The last section, which is devoted to the regret and shame caused by wine, did not prevent the author from being vigorously attacked many regarded his book not only as frivolous but even as sinful. Here he is mentioned because of his worldmap.
Taken from: L'Afrique dans les mappemondes circulaires arabes médiévales par Jean-Charles Ducène
Also called: Al Nawaji
The work is divided into 25 parts. On wine, its origin, its names, appearance, advantages and properties according to learned writers, tales of addicted people, its material and moral qualities, correct behavior for a drinking partner, how to offer wine and invitations, description of a wine-party, its drinking vessels, singing, instrumental music, candles, gardens, flowers, figs, apples, love, beauty, the delights of Egypt (like it enumerates the quarters in Cairo where taverns were to be found-mostly in areas of Copts), etc.…; all described in various and most charming poems.
With reference to the Kitab as-Sukkardan (1) of Ibn Abi Hagala, the author illustrates his chapter on the Nile with a world map.
The world map from this book; although very geometrized, different continents are recognizable and Africa in particular
received an unexpected treatment as if the continent curves eastward again in a move that would close the Indian Ocean
coast quickly interrupted to continue south and thus limiting clearly the extension of Africa to the east. Here, the Indian
Ocean is an open sea. Furthermore, the design of the seven climates shows that Africa lies mostly south of the equator
while the only topography element carried on the map is the Nile with a lake from which it takes its source.
The map is turned so that south is on top; this comparable with other Islamic world-maps.
The writing however is upside down. East Africa is mentioned on the map as زنج.
An identical detached map got sold at Christies with the following text: AN ARABIC MAP OF THE WORLD (detached leave).
[Probably Egypt; Mamluk, c. 1400]. The text on the verso is presumably part of a treatise of geography, this page beginning
a mention of Egypt. It was sold for nearly 300.000 US. (no proof it is from Al Nawagi)
Taken from: Der Neger in der Bildersprache der arabischen Dichter By Manfred Ullmann
P335
(citing abd Allah ibn al Mu’tazz)
When the stars of the sky had turned to escape in the setting, i
t was like seeing the night with the crescent moon protecting the zanj with a golden bow, thus scattering silver balls.
P338
(citing abu ali Tamim ibn al Mu’izz li din allah al Fatimi)
Look at the night, which is like a zanj who has fled, while the morning light with its grey runs after him.
The full moon, however, stands high among the stars of the night as if it were a king in the midst of its escort.
P348
(abu abd allah Muhammad ibn Ahmad, called ibn az Zahir al irbili)
Like some desert, I crossed when the darkness was a monk at night (praying) who had made all the stars into a lamp,
or a mighty zanj who was advancing on war people with their spearheads and sword blades ready.
P349
(citing Baha ad din abul Hassan ali ibn Isa al Irbili)
It is as if the blacks of the night are (a group of) zanj, from whom the Turks want to say:
the morning light - have appeared and who have turned to flee.
Note: My reason for adding so much poetry is that it gives a less racist picture then the philosophers give.
(1) Kitab as-Sukkardan of Ibn Abi Hagala: see my webpage Ibn Abi Hajalah: Sukkardan al-sultan (The Sultan's Sugar Box) (1357).
