Andalusian literature: A study of style and cultural influences on Arab and world literature
Andalusian literature: A study of style and cultural influences on Arab and world literature
Author(s)
Sattar Ayyed Alattabi
Abstract
The results of this study show that Andalusian literature constituted a fundamental pillar in the development of Arabic literature, characterized by innovation and creativity as a result of the cultural diversity and intellectual interaction that Andalusia witnessed throughout its various eras. Andalusia was a cultural crossroads that brought together Muslims, Jews, and Christians, contributing to the formulation of diverse literary and intellectual styles. Andalusian literature was influenced by Persian, Indian, and Greek literatures, which helped in developing various literary genres, most notably philosophical prose and narrative literature (Siraj, 2011). The study also revealed the impact of cultural interaction between Arabs, Jews, and Christians on Andalusian literary thought, reflected in the diversity of literary texts. Andalusian literature included multiple styles such as emotional, philosophical, and narrative poetry, and was distinguished by the use of new poetic forms like muwashshah, which blended Arabic, Hebrew, and Latin, giving Andalusian literature a unique character distinct from traditional Arabic literature (Peroz, 2016).Intellectually, the study showed that the works of philosophers like Ibn Rushd and Ibn Zaydun are rich in rational elements influenced by Persian and Indian thought, where they developed. Ibn Rushd developed the ideas of Ibn Sina, contributing to the enrichment of Islamic philosophy and expanding its influence on Western philosophy in the Middle Ages (Mahmoud, 2008). Graphical Analysis (First Curve):The graphical curve indicated that the influence of Andalusian literature on Arabic poetry began to rise in the 9th century AD, peaking during the Abbasid and Mamluk periods (13th-14th centuries), before gradually declining while still maintaining its literary impact. As for the influence on Persian poetry, it was slow at first but then clearly increased with the onset of the Safavid era (16th century), reaching its peak in the 17th and 18th centuries. The curve also shows that the influence of Andalusian literature on classical Spanish literature peaked in the 16th-17th centuries, as seen in the works of Cervantes, before declining in the 18th-19th centuries, only to witness renewed interest in the 20th century.