Rituals of the First Poem: The Origins and Semiotics of Ruins Lamentation in Pre-Islamic Talbiyat

Abstract

This study employs cultural approach in interpreting the phenomenon of ruins lamentation through the dialectic of sanctification and desecration, ritual and poetry, which is evident in the texts of pagan "talbiyat" (hymns) and Hajj rituals in the pre-Islam era. It argues that the nature of pagan sanctification required that "talbiyat" was a form of ritual documentation with a purpose of argument before unseen powers, through the pilgrims standing up to the holiness of the Sacred House. They were aware that ruins reflect the anxiety of the pagan self while it compares the Holy sacred house with fake Sacred Houses, as well as pleading to God by mentioning what they had suffered on the journey. Since violating sanctification in pagan culture was seen as a sign of desecration; Many pagan "talbiyat" reveal a dual of religious and worldly purposes that was decisive in shifting the collective ritual to the poetics of the poem. Looking at the map of the pagan Hajj, it becomes clear that the three-part structure of the poem echoes the structure of the ritual Hajj extending over three stages, the pilgrim/poet roam in the pagan geography of the non-sacred, seeking inspiration, satisfaction and blessing of the gods residing on the outskirts of Mecca, which, in turn, inspire him with the ritual/poetic discourse, and then he can proceed with composing hymns /poem before arriving at the courtyard of the Ka'aba and praying to the actual God of this Ancient House.

Keywords

Talbiyat/hymns, Rituals, Paganism, Ruins, Poem.

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