BEYOND BORDERS: LITERARY ENCOUNTERS WITH THE ARABIAN PENINSULA ACROSS THE CENTURIES

The Arabian Peninsula’s diverse environmental landscapes have profoundly influenced its internal cultures and shaped its interactions with the wider world. However, there remains a persistent tendency to view this region as isolated and disconnected from global dynamics. This anthology seeks to challenge that misconception by situating Arabia firmly within a global context, emphasizing its environmental diversity and interconnectedness. It serves as a comprehensive educational resource for undergraduate students and engages a broader audience interested in the peninsula’s cultural and environmental heritage. The collection explores three key themes: the cultural and economic history of coffee, the interconnectedness of the Red Sea’s coral reefs with the peninsula, and the richness of the Arabian Desert. Beginning in the bustling markets, Jean de La Roque and Sir John Malcolm’s accounts of the early coffee trade highlight its profound economic and cultural impacts. Insights from T.E. Lawrence and Gertrude Bell, along with Ali Al-Naimi’s narrative, trace coffee’s evolution from a regional commodity into a modern global economic force, illustrating how this simple bean became integral to the peninsula’s identity and its connections with the wider world.

Bridging the gap between land and sea, the anthology transitions to the Red Sea’s coral reefs as a symbol of environmental diversity. Through the narratives of voyagers like Emily Ruete, pilgrims such as Shakib Arslan and Lady Evelyn Cobbold, and adventurers like Henri de Monfreid, this section portrays how these marine ecosystems have facilitated cultural exchanges, navigation, and personal transformation. The coral reefs are depicted not merely as biological wonders thriving under extreme conditions, but as integral elements that connect the peninsula with surrounding seas, emphasizing Arabia’s connectedness with the ancient trade routes and modern shipping networks. The final section re-examines the Arabian Desert, challenging its perception as a barren wasteland. Through the observations of Carsten Niebuhr, the travels of Freya Stark, the narratives of Abdelrahman Munif, and the memoirs of Huda Al-Ghoson, the anthology unveils the desert’s cultural and historical richness. It illustrates the adaptability of life in the desert and its significant role in economic and cultural exchanges, highlighting the desert as a space of vitality and heritage rather than desolation. By integrating the stories of coffee, coral reefs, and the desert, this anthology offers a comprehensive view of how these elements have shaped—and been shaped by—the dynamic environment of the Arabian Peninsula. It bridges the gap between land and sea to reflect the region’s environmental diversity and global interconnectedness, providing a holistic perspective that honors the full spectrum of the Arabian Peninsula’s identity. This collection underscores the importance of recognizing Arabia’s integral role in global environmental and cultural systems, fostering a more nuanced and connected understanding of the region.