THE LANGUAGE OF THE BIRDS

by Alisher Nava'i

The Language of the Birds is a masterpiece of Eastern Turkish literature (now Uzbek), and was written by one of Central Asia's most prominent poets, Alisher Nava'i, shortly before his death in 1501. The story begins with the birds of the world realizing they are far from their king and so they begin their arduous journey with the assistance of the wise bird Hoopoe as their guide. Hoopoe listens to their complaints and excuses along the way and encourages them to seek true life even though the journey is sometimes painful. This epic poem in prose form contains many anecdotes and stories from the oral history of the Silk Road and Islam. Through this story, people are exhorted to rise above any excuse they might have in their spiritual pilgrimage. Alisher Nava'i (1441-1501) is renowned in Central Asia for his numerous writings and lasting influence in Uzbekistan as well as the contemporary Central Asian republics. In modern Uzbekistan, Nava'i is revered above all other poets and his presence is still found - streets, museums, and even a province and city are name after him. His proverbs are found throughout Central Asia and he is considered the father of the Uzbek language. His words for peace and against oppression are as timely today as they were 5 centuries ago. Nava'i lived in Herat, Afghanistan. His writings, endowments, and his life example have had lasting influence in Central Asia. In The Language of the Birds, we are introduced to what Nava'i thought is important in life. It is a world of love that goes beyond the rational and is ready to endure anything for the beloved. This book is for anyone who values great historical literature, as well as those needing inspiration in his or her own pilgrimage in life.

Genres: Poetry, Classics, Fiction

152 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1499

About the author

'Ali-Shir Nava'i, also known as Nizām-al-Din ʿAli-Shir Herawī (Chagatai Turkic/Persian: نظام‌الدین علی‌شیر نوایی‎), was a Turkic poet, writer, politician, linguist, mystic and painter who was the greatest representative of Chagatai literature.

Because of his distinguished Chagatai language poetry, Nava'i is considered by many throughout the Turkic-speaking world to be the founder of early Turkic literature. Many places and institutions in Central Asia are named after him.

Reviews

[Katherine Relf-canas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A work you can return to again and again as its complexity and layering divulge new meaning with each reading. I look forward to reading it again, this product of another era. A classic of world literature.

[Vicky Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Masterpiece of Wisdom and Morality Tales

Ultimately, this is the story of a religious leader and his congregation told in parables and proverbs. This charming tale has an anthropomorphic flock of birds who personify human weaknesses and character traits. It has been one of my all-time favorite, and I've found myself re-reading, and basking in nuances of humor in different passages over the last week since I finished it. I still can't say why I found it so entrancing, but that it came across to me as humorous to watch a flock of birds come up with various excuses for their weaknesses. I also was captivated by the contrasts between a flock of birds and a flock of sheep, as is so often portrayed in Christian literature... which also uses birds symbolically, but rarely collectively like it does with sheep.

At different points the leader both encourages and charges his flock to persist in their journey. Yet, they lose hope and falter along the way. Each bird breed presents their arguments and to each he responds with chastisement, and a morality fable of sorts. But, the whole collection of arguments make a fascinating tale that mirrors the Bible book of Job in someways, though it is done with humor instead of human tragedy. And, the tale is Islamic Turkish literature from the middle ages.

This is one of those exotic treasures a Western reader does not accidentally stumble upon in the normal course of his journey; like Ibn Battuta's Travels or maybe even the Finnish National Epic, the Kalevala. So, I read it with the same delight with which I greedily drank from the Arabian Tales as a child, as if I had discovered treasure in a strange land.

I read the Language of Birds from a paperback copy I found on Amazon, for my stop in Uzbekistan on my Journey Around the World for 2019-2020. After finishing it, I carried it across the border with me into Kazakhstan where I just finished another somewhat dramatic work of more modern origins and human folly. I doubt I will be able to toss the Language of Birds up on a bookshelf anytime soon, despite my journey. I highly recommend this for anyone interested in morality tales, or poetic fables, or world lit in general. My next stop, since I've already made it through Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan without stopping, is China where I am reading the first in a newly translated sci-fi series by Chinese author Cixin Liu. I've had a difficult time restraining myself from reading that book which is waiting on my shelf. But, I can't fly like the birds from Uzbekistan. All in good time, I am sure.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

I honestly do not know what I think about this book. I don't think I have grasped even a tiny fraction of the intended meaning in this work. I think when I find understanding there will be passages I find richly enlightening, and others that I am compelled to refute. There are depths and nuances that elude me, but I'm left with the feeling I have just read something important.