Posted in: Yemen Observer
Written By: Raghda Gamal
Article Date: Jan 31, 2009
Through the media attention the Yemeni novel “Black Smell.. Black Taste” has received since it’s nomination for the International Prize for Arabic Fiction, writer Ali al-Moqry keeps clarifying that his novel is about the lives of people in the lower classes, especially the al-Akhdaam. He also seeks to demonstrate how widespread the discrimination they face in Yemen is.
The novel is set during the 1970’s in Taiz, and describes a love story between a thirteen year-old boy and a girl from al-Mazaina. Since the al-Mazaina are considered lower class people, the two youths decide to run away from their village to the city. In the city, they arrive in an area home to the al-Akhdaam, and settle down with them for seven years.
The novel describes the habits of the al-Akhdaam, especially the poor and unhealthy lives they are forced to live. When readers begin to read this novel, they expect to read about the suffering of the al-Akhdaam and the discrimination they face; yet readers find themselves confronting the dark and negative aspects of the al-Akhdaam lifestyle!
The novel focuses on the carless and irreligious life the al-Akhdaam, instead of dealing with stories of discrimination against their group. This includes stories such as what happened to the al-Khadem who sought to pray in a mosque, though was kicked out. Also, the al-Akhdaam are not allowed to go to court, or the story of the al-Khadem prisoner who’s dead body was mutilated by prison guards.
These kinds of stories should had been discussed in detail, but instead the book focuses on sexual details, which gave the novel another dimension and another message. Unfortunately, instead of sending a message of sympathy and anti-discrimination, al-Moqry may have unconsciously sent the opposite message.
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