Tales of Juha: Classic Arab Folk Humor

Juha is an old Arab comic literary figure (known also to Persians and Turks) around whom countless popular anecdotes were written. He is known by lots of different names - Goha or Joha, Hodja, Mollah, or Nasreddin - and is loved by grown-ups and children alike. Whatever people call him, he appears as an innocent or even stupid fool, but time and time again the fool turns out to be wise and to outwit those who call him a fool. The iconic character of Juha, which embodies the rich folkloric traditions of the region, is believed to date back to ancient times. Juha often narrated stories and tales of a comic nature. These stories reflect the daily life and social problems that people were facing at that time. In this exquisite collection, he appears variously as preacher and beggar, porter and petty merchant, thief and honest man, judge and social critic, wise man and fool, jester and charlatan (though never as wealthy man or oppressor). While the subject matter is Arab or otherwise Islamic, the humor transcends national and cultural boundaries to achieve a universality that is instantly recognizable and accessible today. This bright collection will be enjoyed by people of all ages and is a rich resource for teens and teachers.