I’ve always believed that my thirst for knowledge and love for books came from my Iraqi roots. The beautifully misunderstood country of Iraq has a rich history of literature, intellectualism and a deep-rooted appreciation for reading.
Often referred to as the cradle of civilization, the land of modern-day Iraq supported the rise of some of the world’s oldest cities such as Babylon, Lagash and Ur. Iraq was once home to Ancient Mesopotamia, where the first writing system, cuneiform (kyoo·nee·uh·form), was developed by the Sumerians around 3100 BCE. Cuneiform roughly translates to wedge-shaped in Latin, as the scribes used a reed stylus to press wedge-shaped marks into soft clay tablets.
Initially, these marks were pictographic and over time became more phonetic and abstract. Scribes advanced in their ability to symbolize sounds and write complex concepts such as letters, laws and literature. Infamous works such as the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Code of Hammurabi were written during the Mesopotamian era. Adapted by the Babylonians, Assyrians and Akkadians, the use of cuneiform lasted over 3000 years before alphabetic scripts replaced it.
Moving along to the 8–13th centuries in Baghdad, Iraq, it was an era known as the Abbasid Golden Age. Baghdad is commonly named the House of Wisdom or Bayt al Hikma in Arabic, as scholars across the globe world make their way to the intellectual hub.
The groundwork for Baghdad’s reputation as a center of learning was founded by the Caliph, Al-Mansur of the Abbasid Dynasty. Abbasid Caliphates were known to have promoted science, philosophy, arts and medicine. Al-Mansur’s reign established a standard of cultivators of civilization for his successors to continue his vision of Baghdad as a beacon of knowledge.
Inevitably, the Mongol’s invasion marked the end of Baghdad’s Golden Age, resulting in the fall of the Abbasid Dynasty in 1258 CE. Although the famous libraries of the dynasty were lost, the scholars of the time had intellectual spirits that ensured the preservation of as many manuscripts and oral traditions to pass down to later generations.
Fast forward to the Nahada in the late 19th century, it was a cultural and intellectual Arab renaissance that shaped many Arab civilizations. A cultural phenomenon driven by technological advances and socio-political changes that was influenced by reforms in the Ottoman Empire, took shape initially in Egypt and Lebanon. Beirut and Cairo were literary hubs for the Arab world and provided modern literature and became even more influential after the Nahada. Iraq’s historical tradition of scholarship naturally became interconnected with the literary uprisings between Lebanon and Egypt.
This relationship is often characterized by a popular saying that goes: “Egypt writes, Lebanon prints, and Iraq reads.”
This rich and diverse intellectual ecosystem allowed for an exchange of ideas, philosophies, and stories and even strengthened cultural ties. Today, this relationship still exists, alongside Iraq experiencing a renewed literary movement after the fall of Saddam Hussein. Baghdad continues to be the scholarly heart of Iraq today, especially so within a famous street called Mutanabbi Street. Serving as a testament of the love for knwoledge, this street was established in 1932, near the Tigris River. Named after the poet Al-Mutanabbi, born during the Abbasid Dynasty, the street had always been a space for book lovers, writers and students serving various intellectual salons since the Abbasid era.
This street survived many conflicts and instability as its bookshops, stalls and cafes continue to serve the people. You can find all kinds of books from classic Arabic literature, history, philosophy, religious texts and poetry. You will even find preserved Arabic texts that were translations of Ancient Greek and Roman works that helped fuel the European Renaissance. Piles of books are displayed in organized stacks on blankets or makeshift wooden tables, leaving visitors spending hours to browse. The sellers are naturally well-read and engage in thought-provoking conversations or offer insightful recommendations.
This social space ripples a profound symbolism of Baghdad’s cultural soul and literary freedom. The power of preserving these books emphasizes the cradle of knowledge that the Arab world has always held. It is quite significant to recognize that these scholarly traditions have shaped global civilizations and act as time capsules. The mere image of the sellers crouched over their books on Mutanabbi Street, one can only imagine the ancient knowledge and wisdom that they carry in their minds. Surrounded by thousands of books as a way of life is quite the honor, and I hope to experience the spirit of sagacity that is delicately preserved on Mutanabbi Street one day.
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