Studying Al-Arabi Dahu’s Contribution to the Preservation of Algerian Folk Poetry

Dr. Fatima Al-Zahra Ashur

Mohamed El Bachir El Ibrahimi University of Bordj Bou Arreridj, Algeria

Folk literature is the cultural and social representation of a people. Folk literature reflects the importance of history, and people share it, enjoy its content, and preserve it and its symbols in the same way that they preserve all their most precious possessions. Folk literature serves as a mirror, reflecting the past, the present, and even aspects of the future. This literature reflects communities’ collective sentiment, keeping different types of folk literary expression alive for centuries. It continues to circulate through different eras and changes in culture. Folk literature is replete with values; like the deep sea, it conveys beauty, fear, history, relics, treasures and remnants. It meets the adventurous’ need for discovery and satisfies their egos’ need for exploration.

However, academic work – which includes the study of folk literature from its origins until its value was recognised – has been challenging, and researchers face difficulties and are subjected to contempt and mockery. 

 

The folk literature researcher must have a strong personality because they cannot be satisfied with researching or teaching folk literature. They must act as advocates and defenders of folklore in general and folk literature in particular, and consider this a noble responsibility.

 

Thus, we can assume that the Arab researcher Dahu is more than just a professor, collector or author. A defender of folk literature, he recognises its importance because he goes beyond art for the sake of art. He is not merely a researcher; he has a scientific and national message.