Under the auspices of Dr. Alaa Abdel Hadi, head of the Egyptian Writers Union, the union's Bedouin and Folk Heritage Section organized a cultural event on September 2026, titled "Oral Heritage in Southern Egypt: Verbal Arts in Saidi Regions as a Model." The event drew a large and diverse crowd of prominent Egyptian cultural figures, including poet Abdel Star Suleiman, poet Abduh Shinhouri, and director Ismail Shishini.
The event began with the Egyptian national anthem, followed by a welcome speech by artist and writer Abu Al-Fotouh Al-Baraasi, who explained the significance of highlighting verbal arts and the selection of cultural icons. Poet Abdel Star Suleiman then delivered a detailed lecture on various forms of verbal arts in Upper Egypt and northern Sudan, citing poetic examples that reflect the region's environment.
Poet and writer Abduh Shinhouri discussed verbal arts in Aswan Governorate, particularly the "Dobit" or "Dobai," explaining the differences between Persian and Egyptian Dobit (Al-Namim). He highlighted the classifications of this art form and its reliance on musical rhyme, differing from traditional Arabic poetry meters. Shinhouri also described the rituals of Naimim poetry sessions, which can last until midnight.
Director Ismail Shishini shared his experience working with poet Abdel Star Suleiman on a program about "The Art of Al-Waw" and the "Tayba" channel in Aswan, showcasing his fieldwork documenting horse racing and "Al-Sabiya" (Kaf Al-Arab) arts in the Western Desert. Sudanese researcher and media personality Abdel Ghaffar Khalaf Allah presented a historical overview of the Dobit art form in Sudan since 1500 AD.
The event featured various creative contributions from southern poets and participating writers, including Hassan Abdel Rahman (Aswan), who presented notable examples of Dobit art, and poet Adel Bahansi, who recited squares of Al-Waw poetry. Other participants included researchers and poets such as Widad Al-Hawari, Maawoud Helmi, Ali Noh, and Abdel Alim Ismail.
The event also saw the participation of young talents, including poet and researcher Muhammad Abu Al-Fotouh, and documentarian Azza Abu Al-Ezz. The gathering provided a platform for discussion and exchange of ideas on preserving and promoting Egypt's oral heritage and verbal arts.
Key points discussed during the event included the significance of oral heritage, the diversity of verbal arts in southern Egypt, and the need for continued research and documentation of these art forms to ensure their preservation for future generations.
Key points
- The event highlighted the rich cultural heritage of southern Egypt and the importance of preserving its verbal arts.
- Renowned poets and researchers participated in the event, sharing their expertise and experiences with verbal arts.
- The gathering provided a platform for discussion and exchange of ideas on preserving and promoting Egypt's oral heritage and verbal arts.
