What is Bahraini literature?

Bahrain, an archipelago in the Persian Gulf, has been inhabited for millennia, historically known as Dilmun, an important trading centre linking Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley. Over the centuries, it came under the influence of Persian empires, Arab tribes, and Portuguese and Ottoman powers, reflecting its strategic maritime location. In the 18th century, the Al Khalifa family established control over the islands, and in the 19th century, Bahrain became a British protectorate, a status that lasted until the country gained full independence in 1971. Ethnically, Bahrain is predominantly Arab, with a long-standing Persian community and a significant expatriate population, giving the country a multicultural character. Its location as a historical trading hub has fostered a cosmopolitan society, blending Arab, Persian, and Indian influences in language, cuisine, and traditions. As it is well known, Bahrain embraces a liberal cultural atmosphere relative to its Gulf neighbours, hosting international arts festivals, museums, and contemporary literature that often explore identity, social change, and the tension between tradition and modernity.
Bahrain has a rich cultural heritage, combining ancient traditions with modern developments. It is known for pearl diving and trade, Islamic architecture, and traditional music and poetry, including the Nabati poetic tradition. Nabati poetry is a form of vernacular, Bedouin poetry native to the Arabian Peninsula, particularly widespread in the Gulf countries. It is created orally, in the colloquial rather than classical Arabic, focusing on tribal life, honour, love, courage, and current social or political issues. In parallel to Nabati tradition, Bahraini writers and poets have employed classical Arabic styles and genres; at the present time, they are increasingly influenced by Western and global literature, often writing in free verse or prose poetry that explores personal and political themes. The Bahrain Writers Association, founded in 1969, has played a pivotal role in fostering literary development in the country.
Among recent books from Bahrain, one novel deserves attention: Muneera Swar's Jariya (2014). It narrates the life of Jouri, a woman of African descent, born as an illegitimate daughter, enough to face racism and ostracism in a conservative society. As the owner of a beauty salon, she is aware of the close link between how you look and how you are treated. The novel asks crucial questions concerning marginalisation and segregation in Gulf societies. 

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