Selections from the Poetry of the Afghans: From the Sixteenth to the Nineteenth Century

by Ann E. Snyder

This is an anthology of English translations of Pushto poets from the 16th century on. Most, if not all, of these poets are Sufi. They utilize the poetic vocabulary of Sufiism: the tavern, the wine, the flowers, etc., all actually technical terms describing the soul's progression on the mystical path towards God. Raverty's introductory essay, "Remarks on the Mystic Doctrine and Poetry of the Sufis" provides a skeleton key to the symbology.

Most of the writers included here were, in addition to being Sufi poets, tribal leaders, men of action, in many cases related in some fashion. For instance, the prolific Khushhal Khan fathered Ashraf Khan and Abd-ul-Kadir Khan, all very formidable poets and warriors. Their poetry reflects a tribal, patriarchal society (women don't normally appear in these texts except as the 'beloved,' or a target of scorn). However, this is not the bleak, bigoted, art and music starved world of the Taliban. It is clear that not all of that Sufi joie de vivre is metaphorical, and many of the verses display a wicked sense of humor. The descriptions of nature are realistic, and their love of country is fierce.

Raverty (b. 1825, d. 1906), a Major in the British Army, fought in the Punjab from 1849-50. From 1852-9 he was Assistant Commissioner of the Punjab. His duties involved extensive travel in what is today Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India. He wrote one of the first Pushto grammars in 1855. He also wrote a Pushto-English dictionary, and a volume of Pushto texts in the original language, which served as the basis for these translations. The system of transcription in this book, which is reproduced exactly as in the original with the help of Unicode, is not pretty, but at least is applied consistently. Included here are translations of poems only available in manuscripts which Raverty was able to access, obviously very rare.

Genres: Poetry

350 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1862

Reviews

[Qb · Rating 4 out of 5]

an oustanding effort to introduce the poetry of pukhtun-afghans ,now a days a highly maligned community.

[Qb · Rating 5 out of 5]

A masterpiece. A great contribution by the most celebrated author.

[Hayati · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book which I return to again and again..it is present next to my bed at all times..from Khushal's "..and it all passed away" to Rehman's "all three are one.." this is a collection on poets stretching from the 16th century starting with the grandson of the Roshan who led a insurgency against the Mughal empire to the Mystic rehman Baba who is by far the best Pushto poet who ever lived (with the exception of Ghani )..This has poems which I have heard since my childhood..although it is a irony to read it in the language of the "Ferengi" even though the translation is very good.