Bedouin Oral Traditions: An Open Forum with Dr. Saad Sowayan

AUK's Arabian Heritage Project hosted world-renowned Saudi Folklore scholar Dr. Saad Sowayan, Professor at King Saud University in Riyadh on Tuesday October 13. Dr. Sowayan is the author of multiple articles and books on the oral literature and spoken language of Arabian nomads, including Nabati Poetry: The Oral History of Arabia (1985), and The Arabian Oral Historical Narrative (1992). He welcomed the large audience, opening his talk with musical examples of Najdi Bedouins, including ancient samri (night music) and songs of the cameleers and horsemen. As he answered the many questions about Bedouin life of the past, Dr. Sowayan shared his wealth of knowledge, including the important role of women (some tribes even had female Sheiks), and the complexity of his research. Dr. Sowayan is delighted with AUK's new Arabian Heritage Project and will continue to interact closely with the center through publications and research.
 

Dr. Lisa Urkevich presents the speaker
 

Dr. Saad Sowayan
 

A view of the audience