Engaging the Classic

This paper explores the literary characteristics of the Nigerian maqāmāt, which are inspired by the classical Arabic prototypes. Nigerian Arabic writers have actively embraced the maqāma genre since the early 21st century, producing various collections that consciously or unconsciously emulate the classical models. Throughout their maqāmas, Nigerian writers recalibrate the features of the genre by showcasing the influence of their primary model, al-Ḥarīrī’s Maqāmāt (446-516/1054-1122). Through techniques such as allusion, borrowing, continuation, and more, these works raise important themes of originality, literary emulation, competition, and homage, thereby highlighting the impact of classical Arabic heritage on contemporary Arabic writing. In this paper, the analysis of these emulating features is complemented by textual examples from four recently published maqāma collections in Nigeria, which are compared to their classical prototypes. Key words: maqāma, Nigeria, rewriting, emulation, literary influence, Classical Arabic.