Birds of Nabaa: A Mauritanian Tale

Birds of Nabaa is a tale of physical and spiritual journeys, beginning in Nabaa, a remote Mauritanian village, and ending in Madrid, the Gulf states, and Guinea. The narrator's constant life on the move in search of inner stillness leads him back to the music, song, and poetry of Mauritanian life and the spiritual universe of Sufism.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 20 September 2023
Publisher: Banipal Books

Birds of Nabaa is a captivating tale that encompasses both physical and spiritual journeys, beginning in the remote Mauritanian village of Nabaa. Here, the herds, led by their own enigmatic instincts, play a central role in shaping the community's way of life. The story then takes the narrator on a journey to diverse destinations, including Madrid, the Gulf states, and Guinea, where his work as an embassy accountant brings him. However, it is his unwavering pursuit of inner stillness, inspired by his childhood memories of the Sahara, that ultimately leads him back to Mauritania's capital, Nouakchott.

Driven by a deep connection to the vagabond life of pre-Islamic poets and the desert's serene beauty, the narrator embarks on a constant search for the elusive tranquility found only among desert dwellers. This relentless pursuit takes him through a tapestry of experiences, from the bustling streets of Madrid to the tranquil landscapes of the Gulf states and the rugged beauty of Guinea. Along the way, he encounters a diverse range of characters who join him on his journey.

Teresa, his Brazilian neighbor in Madrid, becomes an integral part of his journey as he teaches her the art of making tea, the Mauritanian way. Rajab, an inspiring teacher adorned in a blue face veil, imparts wisdom and enlightenment. Hussein, a poet, shares his profound verses with the narrator. Mariam, a postman who communicates with the living and the dead through cowrie shell readings, adds a mystical element to the narrative. The exiled judge of Chinguetti, a man with a deep understanding of Arab history and poetry, adds a scholarly dimension to the group.

Close to the narrator's heart is his friend Abdurrahman, a voracious reader and rebel with a burning desire to change the world. Abddel Hadi, a holy-fool sheikh with an encyclopedic knowledge of Arab history and poetry, serves as a source of wisdom and guidance. Ould al-Taher, the first climate-change refugee, adds a poignant perspective to the journey, reflecting the challenges faced by those affected by environmental change.

The narrator's travels take him to the village of Kanz al-Asrar, nestled near a tributary of the Senegal River. This fertile region is described as a lush paradise, a haven of abundance and beauty. However, the arrival of two and more years without any rain brings about a devastating drought that shatters livelihoods, dries out wells, and transforms dreams into unsettling premonitions of disaster. The burning fire of the sun wages an eternal struggle with the hidden water deposited by clouds deep within the sand. As desertification takes hold, the paradise of southern Mauritania and Nabaa gradually fades away, replaced by the relentless waves of desertification.

Birds of Nabaa is a profound exploration of the human condition, encompassing themes of resilience, perseverance, and the search for meaning in the face of adversity. Through the narrator's journey, the reader is invited to reflect on the interconnectedness of all beings, the importance of preserving the natural world, and the transformative power of personal growth and self-discovery.

Weight: 182g
Dimension: 130 x 198 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781913043438