Mutayyam al-Hashimiyya (fl. 8th c.)

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Mutayyam al-Hashimiyya (fl. 8th c.)

Arabian singer and poet who is considered the personification of classical Arabic music. Born in al-Basra (now Iraq) during the Abbasid period; flourished in the 8th century.

Unlike many female singers, Mutayyam al-Hashimiyya was a freed woman. Born and educated in al-Basra, she lived there her entire life. Her teachers were the two most eminent musicians of the Abbasid period, Ibrahim al-Mausili and his son, Ishaq; she also studied with Badhl. She was famous for both her music and poetry, and only two songstresses ranked above her. Mutayyam al-Hashimiyya sang at the court of Caliph al-Mamun (r. 813–833) and Caliph al-Mu'tasim (833–842) before she sang for Ali ibn Hisham.

John Haag , Athens, Georgia

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