Tales of Abunuwas and Other Stories

An English translation of Hadithi za Abunuwasi na Hadithi Nyingine from Swahili, first translated by John Lewis-Barned and retold by his daughter Suzi Lewis-Barned. The stories were first published in Swahili in 1935. While Abunuwasi tales are available in English translations from the Arabic originals, these translations from an early Swahili edition add a new and interesting dimension. Abunuwasi tales are loved by young and old readers alike throughout the world and on the East African coast, which has had centuries-old contacts with Arab traders and Islamic scholars. Hadithi za Abunuwasi has become an integral part of Swahili literature. Abu Nawas, the nickname of the original author, lived in Baghdad during the reign of Harun Al Rashid (763-809) and was considered the most accomplished Arab poet of his age. His tales spread across the Arab world, Turkey, and Uzbekistan, and many appear in One Thousand and One Nights. The book includes other stories from the Swahili storytelling tradition. Internationally distributed by African Books Collective.