THE HISTORY OF THE CREATION OF THE EPIC BANU HILAL IN ARABIC LITERATURE AND ITS CONCEPTUAL AND CONTENT FEATURES

Abstract

The Banu Hilal epic is of great historical and cultural importance, being one of the most significant examples of Arabic folk literature. The epic is based on real historical events that took place in Arab society, in particular, the migration of the Banu Hilal tribe from the Arabian Peninsula to North Africa. This migration was not only a political and military event, but also had a profound impact on the social and cultural life of the regions.
This article analyzes the historical, social, and cultural aspects of the era in which the epic was created. The period of its formation—7th–12th centuries—covers the most intense stage of Arab tribal wars and social transformations. During this period, the social structure of the Arab tribal system, the principles of honor, and inter-tribal relations were reflected in literature in fictionalized form. The epic Banu Hilal, as a product of this tradition, expresses the historical memory, heroic spirit, and moral values of the Arab people in an artistic form.
The study extensively examines the culture of the pre-Islamic period, the beliefs in polytheism, and the features of the tribal-centered social model that influenced the creation of the epic. The epic portrays, at the artistic and aesthetic level, concepts such as tribal honor, the principle of revenge, generosity, courage, and family ties. In addition, the influence of the spiritual and ideological changes that took place in Arab society with the advent of Islam is evident in the content and direction of the epic. After the rise of Islam, the role of the Banu Hilal tribe in history became associated not only with combat and heroism, but also with the values of faith, justice, and cultural identity.
The article shows that the epic Banu Hilal is not merely an example of folklore, but an epic document reflecting the historical and cultural evolution of Arab civilization. In the epic, the unity of the tribal spirit, religious, and spiritual ideals is evident. Its artistic description, plot, and compositional structure represent the highest artistic stage of Arab folk literature. Consequently, the epic Banu Hilal played an important role in the formation of the heroic tradition in Arabic literature and in the preservation of national and cultural identity.