Water as a Literary Symbol in Arab Storytelling

Sharjah 24: Emirati and Moroccan authors have highlighted water’s profound symbolic resonance as a source of life, transformation, and collective memory in literary storytelling. Discussing how water transcends traditional imagery, they reflected on its deeper role as a narrative anchor, capturing personal journeys, cultural heritage, and shifting imaginative landscapes.

A panel on water’s narrative depth

The insights emerged from a compelling panel titled “Water in Literary Narratives: Perspectives on Emirati and Moroccan Narrative Achievements”, organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) as part of Sharjah’s distinguished Guest of Honour programme at the 30th Rabat International Publishing and Book Fair. The panel featured Emirati author Lulwah Al Mansouri and Moroccan writer Mahfouz Abd Al Latif, moderated by Emirati poet Sheikha Al Mutairi.

Moroccan perspectives: Duality and depth

Opening the discussion, Mahfouz Abd Al Latif noted the varied portrayals of water across literary genres. Rivers and streams frequently symbolise vitality, renewal, and continuity, while the sea often embodies themes of migration, mystery, and existential struggle. He drew from philosopher Gaston Bachelard’s influential text Water and Dreams, which frames water as an enduring metaphor for transformation and fluidity. Abd Al Latif further explored the complex psychological dynamic humans share with the sea, suggesting symbolic interpretations that reflect both attraction and aversion.

He also emphasised water’s duality in literature, as rivers can represent joy and sustenance or manifest as destructive forces through flooding and displacement. He cited Mohamed Choukri’s renowned novel For Bread Alone, which poignantly captures diverse human encounters with the sea throughout life’s stages.

Emirati Reflections: Water and ancestral memory

Lulwah Al Mansouri expanded on water’s significant role within Emirati literary traditions, recounting her intimate connections forged amid the UAE’s diverse landscapes—from the rugged Hajar Mountains to the fertile plains of Julphar. She described water as deeply embedded in the collective consciousness of Emirati ancestors, whose historical pursuits, like pearl diving and well digging, continue to inspire literary reflections on motherhood, yearning, and survival.

The Sand Arch and the power of forgotten rivers

Delving into her own work, Al Mansouri referenced her novel The Sand Arch, where forgotten rivers become a compelling narrative element. Drawing inspiration from historical records by explorers such as John Philby, who documented rivers now lost to memory, she imagines a desert landscape threatened by an unseen flood—symbolising humanity’s evolving relationship with nature and heritage.

Al Mansouri concluded by emphasising the writer’s cultural and environmental duty to preserve and revitalise these narratives.