Granadian literature: The book of the blooming orchards
Granadian literature: The book of the blooming orchards
Al-Andalus was undoubtedly a fundamental part of our history and, as you know, Granada was the last Muslim kingdom until the 15th century. In this post, we would like to talk about the most popular part of the Nasrid kingdom of Granada: its jokes, anecdotes and sayings through The Book of Blooming Gardens, by Abu Bakr ibn 'Ashim.
Abu Bakr was secretary and vizier of the Alhambra, between the 14th and 15th centuries. The book is divided into six orchards or chapters where the author collects jokes, anecdotes and sayings. Reading this book is possible thanks to the translation by Desirée López Bernal, University of Granada.
This book is classified as an Andalousian adab, that is to say, of propaedeutic science (the uses, customs, norms of correct and recommended conduct, transmitted by the ancestors).
Here we leave you two jokes that appear in the book: 1. A man was sitting on the majlis of a banquet and everyone who entered was given room to sit. Then the man got angry and got up to leave. And they asked him: -"Where are you going?". He replied: -"I'm going to go out and come in! I beg you to make room for me!" 2. One day Ibn Subbāna was reciting poetry and farted. And he said to his behind: - "Either you shut up until I speak or you speak!". And sayings, which you can not miss! - "Viler than Aban Ahmad's cat, which pays tribute to mice." - "Heavier than a creditor". - "Older than the devil." - "Better dressed than an onion." - "Poorer than the mouse in the mosque". - "Dumber than the one who sews water". - "When you see your neighbor's beard peeling, put yours to marinate." - "Whoever has no rest, has no business." - "The trees of Guadix provide shade but not food."
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