The Hanged PoemsTranslated by F.E. Johnson and Sheikh Faiz-ullah-bhaiTranslations of the earliest (pre-Islamic) Arabic poetry known, poems originally displayed ("hanged") in the Kaaba, the holiest shrine of Mecca.THE Arabs are one of the most ancient races known to history. Historical records, which are perhaps earth's earliest, have been recently rediscovered among the ruins of Babylon and the other cities of the Euphrates valley; and these refer frequently to Arab ...

Arthur Scholey has selected and retold 74 of Sa'di's stories of the wisdom, humour and common sense of the kings, servants, lords, slaves and beggars, pupils and teachers, birds, beasts, insects and dervishes.

Bird Parliamentby Farid ud-Din Attar, Translated by Edward FitzgeraldAlso known as the 'Conference of the Birds,' this 12th century Sufi poem is a allegorical journey to the summit of enlightment.This celebrated Sufi poem, also known as Conference of the Birds, by the 12th century Persian poet Farid ud-Din Attar, is a tale of a journey of a group of thirty birds to the summit of the world mountain, Qaf. An allegory of the Sufi journey to realization of the nature of ...

This short illustrated piece describes a trip from Teheran in Persia to Samarcand in today's Uzbekistan by an Eastern European disguised as an Osmanli Dervish.

This bilingual reader is designed for Bulgarians who need to improve their English, but can also be used by English speakers who study Bulgarian language. It presents sixteen folk tales from Kashmir and Punjab in parallel text: English on the left and Bulgarian on the right.

Captain Sir Richard Francis Burton KCMG FRGS (19 March 1821 – 20 October 1890) was a British geographer, explorer, translator, writer, soldier, orientalist, cartographer, ethnologist, spy, linguist, poet, fencer and diplomat. He was known for his travels and explorations within Asia, Africa and the Americas, as well as his extraordinary knowledge of languages and cultures. According to one count, he spoke 29 European, Asian and African languages.Motivated by his love of adventure, ...

To procure prophetic dreams, take a clean linen bag and write upon it the names given below. Fold it up and make it into a lamp-wick, and set it alight, pouring pure oil over it. The word to be written is this: 'Armiuth, Lailamchoüch, Arsenophrephren, Phtha, Archentechtha.' Then in the evening, when you are going to bed, which you must do without touching food [or, pure from all defilement], do thus. Approach the lamp and repeat seven times the formula given below: then extinguish it and l...

It has been said that the name or the emblem or the picture of a god or demon could become an amulet with power to protect him that wore it. But the Egyptians went a step further than this, and they believed that it was possible to transmit to the figure of any man, or woman, or animal, or living creature, the soul of the being which it represented, and its qualities and attributes. The statue of a god in a temple contained the spirit of the god which it represented, and the people of Egyp...

The Balochi people and language is spread from the coast of Iran to the interior of Pakistan. There are few written sources of their tribal legends and folklore. M. Longworth Dames brings together his wealth of knowledge on tribal language and culture, as a member of the esteemed folklore society to translate and compile this fascinating collection. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900's and before, are now extremely rare and increasingly expensive. We are...

This volume is an essential reading for all who love literature, especially for those who would like to familiar themselves with the essence of the Armenian literature. The David of Sassoun (Sasountsi David - Սասունցի Դավիթ) heroic tail will bring back the nostalgic feelings associated with revisiting the Armenian classic literature.

"The Turkish Jester" is a captivating work that delves into the rich tapestry of Turkish culture through the lens of humor and satire. Translated by the renowned George Borrow, the book presents a unique perspective on the social and political landscape of Turkey during its time. Borrow's translation captures the essence of the original text, allowing readers to appreciate the wit and cleverness of the jester's tales. The narrative is filled with vibrant characters and amusing anecdotes th...

ISSN: 2397-9607 Issue 226In this 225th issue of the Baba Indaba’s Children's Stories series, Baba Indaba narrates the Arabian Nights story of “The Story Of The Magic Horse”.ONCE upon a time, long, long ago and far, far away in a town in Persia there lived in ancient times a King, or a Padishah, who had three daughters and an only son of such beauty that they drew the eyes of all beholders like moonrise in a clear heaven.Now it was the custom ...