Ahmad al-Tifashi
Encyclopedia
Ahmad al-Tifashi born in Tiffech
, a village near Souk Ahras
in Algeria
(1184- died 1253 in Cairo
) was an Arabic poet, writer, and anthologist.
, Cairo
, and Damascus
, although he may even have been nomadic. He was highly educated and cultured. He compiled a 12-chapter anthology of Arabic poetry
and jokes about erotic and sexual practices, that featured both heterosexual and homoerotic
entries with a bias towards the latter.
A French translation, based on an Arabic copy held in Paris
, was published as Les Delices des coeurs par Ahmad al-Tifachi (1971 and 1981).
A scholarly translation of the homoerotic sections was published in English as The Delight of Hearts "A Promenade of the Hearts
", or What You Will Not Find In Any Book (1988).
al-Tifashi also wrote several treatises concerned with sexual hygiene, one of which is preserved in a copy at The National Library of Medicine. He is, however, primarily known for his lapidary, which was the most famous and most comprehensive medieval Arabic treatise on the use of minerals. It covers 25 gems and minerals in great detail, giving medicine and magical uses for each as well as some Persian
etymologies of the names. It is preserved in numerous manuscript copies and was used by many subsequent writes.
Tiffech
Tiffech is a town and commune in Souk Ahras Province in northeastern Algeria....
, a village near Souk Ahras
Souk Ahras
Souk Ahras is a province in Algeria, named after its capital, Souk Ahras. It stands on the border between Algeria and Tunisia.- Geography :Souk Ahras is situated in the extreme north east of Algeria, it is 4360 km²....
in Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
(1184- died 1253 in Cairo
Cairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
) was an Arabic poet, writer, and anthologist.
Biography
Little is known of al-Tifashi's life. He appears to have lived mostly in TunisTunis
Tunis is the capital of both the Tunisian Republic and the Tunis Governorate. It is Tunisia's largest city, with a population of 728,453 as of 2004; the greater metropolitan area holds some 2,412,500 inhabitants....
, Cairo
Cairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
, and Damascus
Damascus
Damascus , commonly known in Syria as Al Sham , and as the City of Jasmine , is the capital and the second largest city of Syria after Aleppo, both are part of the country's 14 governorates. In addition to being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Damascus is a major...
, although he may even have been nomadic. He was highly educated and cultured. He compiled a 12-chapter anthology of Arabic poetry
Arabic poetry
Arabic poetry is the earliest form of Arabic literature. Present knowledge of poetry in Arabic dates from the 6th century, but oral poetry is believed to predate that. Arabic poetry is categorized into two main types, rhymed, or measured, and prose, with the former greatly preceding the latter...
and jokes about erotic and sexual practices, that featured both heterosexual and homoerotic
Homoeroticism
Homoeroticism refers to the erotic attraction between members of the same sex, either male–male or female–female , most especially as it is depicted or manifested in the visual arts and literature. It can also be found in performative forms; from theatre to the theatricality of uniformed movements...
entries with a bias towards the latter.
A French translation, based on an Arabic copy held in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, was published as Les Delices des coeurs par Ahmad al-Tifachi (1971 and 1981).
A scholarly translation of the homoerotic sections was published in English as The Delight of Hearts "A Promenade of the Hearts
A Promenade of the Hearts
A Promenade of the Hearts is a collection of stories, anecdotes, and poems from the Arab Middle Ages on homosexual and lesbian themes. Ahmad al-Tifashi, the compiler , was born in Tiffech now in Algeria and studied in Tunisia, Egypt and Damascus. His interests included law, natural science,...
", or What You Will Not Find In Any Book (1988).
al-Tifashi also wrote several treatises concerned with sexual hygiene, one of which is preserved in a copy at The National Library of Medicine. He is, however, primarily known for his lapidary, which was the most famous and most comprehensive medieval Arabic treatise on the use of minerals. It covers 25 gems and minerals in great detail, giving medicine and magical uses for each as well as some Persian
Persian language
Persian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...
etymologies of the names. It is preserved in numerous manuscript copies and was used by many subsequent writes.
Sources
For his life and writings, see:- J. Ruska and O. Kahl, "Tifashi" in The Encyclopaedia of Islam, 2nd edition, ed. by H.A.R. Gibbs, B. Lewis, Ch. Pellat, C. Bosworth et al., 11 vols. (Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1960-2002), vol. 10, p. 476
- Manfred Ullmann, Die Medizin im Islam, Handbuch der Orientalistik, Abteilung I, Erg?nzungsband vi, Abschnitt 1 (Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1970), p. 196
- C. Brockelmann, Geschichte der arabischen Litteratur, Supplement, 3 vols. (Leiden: Brill, 1937-1942). vol. 1, p. 904.