He is definitely an influencer of his time, and his significance to the Arab world lies in his contributions to various fields, particularly in the cultural and artistic domains.
Efforts to enliven the eventful yet obscure life of Ziryab is currently one of the passion projects of Spanish director and screenwriter, Alan Cantos, and Oman may play a crucial role in this effort as discussions for a possible collaboration is taking place with the National Museum of Oman as well as the Royal Opera House Oman (ROHM).
Cantos is planning a documentary on the life of the man who revolutionised the life of the eighth century, the impact of which is still felt even today.
Ziryab or Abu al-Hasan Ali Ibn Nafi was a courtesan to Spain’s Moorish rulers of the time and his influence is nothing short of jaw-dropping. The musician, singer, courtesan, polymath and astronomer is credited with introducing asparagus, at the time considered a weed that should be eaten by horses, to European palates; he brought the table cloth and the starter/main/dessert meal orthodoxy, then considered standard in Iraq but alien to ninth century European tables, to Spanish diners; he introduced glassware to the Western drinker in preference to the metal goblets of the time, and as a fashion influencer of his day is noted for bringing the fringe to the hair of Spanish women. He also invented or popularised forms of deodorant, toothpaste, and shampoo that at the time were unheard of in the barbaric European territories. And of course, with his revolutionary five-string oud, he fused Western and Arabic musical traditions and is widely cited as a fundamental influence in the creation of flamenco music.
Ziryab fled Baghdad around 809 AD, having fallen foul of his jealous master who threatened him as he was becoming the favourite of the Abassid Khalifa of Baghdad, Harum al Rashid. After a long journey South and West, he found himself settling in the then-emirate of Cordoba in Al Andalus, on the very far edges of the Islamic empire and now modern-day Andalucia in Spain.
Cantos met with the Director of the Museum Learning and Community Outreach Department and the Head of Learning Centre Unit of the Oman National Museum and talked about the film project and the concept of bringing some Spanish artistes to perform either solo or with local musicians from Oman. He also contacted the Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) for the same purpose.
Cantos was previously involved in known documentaries and fiction films such as Caravan, The Great Match and 14 Kilometres and is hoping to bring Ziryab’s life and the talent and influence of so many modern Ziryabs, with a documentary to the fore while underlining how the links between East and West have historically been a force for cultural and political good, despite the many tensions of the age.
During his visit, Alan met with representatives of Omani culture and media including the presenter of Purple Travels, Sheikha al Mahrouqi from Oman TV. He also connected with the Royal Calvary and the Royal Oman Police Mounted Division to further explore the concept of the Arab horse as a vector of culture.
According to him, there were exploratory contacts and meetings to discuss future collaboration with the National Museum and the Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) and he participated and captured on camera local Eid celebrations.
“I also had many interesting meetings, interviews and some filming, thanks to Maggie Jeans, who supported me in bringing the concept to Oman, with cultural and media people that have enriched the possibilities of cooperation with Oman. Apart from artistic collaborations, I am seeking co-producers and sponsors to help the project along,” Alan told the Observer.
The nickname ‘Ziryab’, comes from the Persian word for jaybird, pronounced ‘Zaryāb’ and was known as Mirlo which is translated to ‘blackbird’ in Spanish.
Ziryab was one of the greatest cultural icons of the Middle Ages and the impact he had is still felt in the world today. He was active at the Umayyad court of Córdoba in Islamic Iberia and he is the one who revolutionised the pragmatic society. The winds of change touched upon literally everything from fashion to dining and music, and from hairstyles to hygiene. In music, Ziryab was the first to introduce the lute (Al-U’d) to Spain and Europe in general. Ibn Nafi was a ninth-century Baghdad native, believed to be of Persian or Kurdish descent, who usually went by the more manageable moniker of Ziryab, or Blackbird.
Cantos first came across the name ‘Ziryab’ while he was participating in the documentary Caravan (by Gerardo Olivares) in 2004. He participated in the filming of one of the the salt caravans that traversing the Tenere desert (Southern Sahara desert) in Niger, and was pointed by a friend in the direction of a magazine article about the millennium-old genius.
“I want my film to send a message of tolerance. Those cultures don’t have to destroy each other; they can actually live together. Through the language of music, food, dance and architecture, I want to explore and celebrate the mixture of our cultures; the talent of migrants and innovators across the ages. I want my efforts to dispel some of the ignorance about our origins and the way talent, art and migration work in blowing the winds of culture and bring unity and harmony to societies,” Alan said.
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