Ibn Khafaja
Andalusian Muslim poet (1058–1138/9)
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Abu Ishaq ibn Ibrahim ibn Abu al-Fath (1058–1138/9), called Ibn Khafajah (إبن خفاجة), a native of Alzira, was a poet of al-Andalus during the reign of the Almoravids.[1] He was born in 1058 in Alzira (Arabic: جزيرة شقر) near Valencia where he spent most of his life.[1] He was the maternal uncle of poet Ibn al-Zaqqaq.[2]
1058
Ibn Khafaja | |
|---|---|
| Born | Abu Ishaq ibn Ibrahim ibn Abu al-Fath 1058 Alzira, Al-Andalus (now Spain) |
| Died | 1138/1139 |
| Occupation | Poet |
| Language | Arabic |
| Nationality | Andalusian |
He wrote sophisticated nature poetry.[3] He remained unmarried but had many friends[4] and lived to be over eighty.[1]There is a style based on him afterwards followed by many known as 'khafājī'.
His poetry often uses images to a dramatic function, such as contrasting light and darkness, or humanising the night environment.[2]
Composer Mohammed Fairouz set three poems of Ibn Khafajah to music in a cycle of vocal chamber music written for the Cygnus Ensemble.[5]