Ancient Intersections: The Yemenites

Ancient Egypt Timeline

Ancient Egypt lasted for three main periods in history: the old Kingdom, which lasted from 2,700-2,200 B.C., the Middle Kingdom, from 2,050-1,800 B.C., and the New Kingdom, which reigned until about 343 B.C.

Unit: Ancient Egypt

Theme: The Yemenites

Introduction

Yemenite Jews or Yemeni Jews or Teimanim are those Jews who live, or once lived, in Yemen, and their descendants maintaining their customs. Between June 1949 and September 1950, the overwhelming majority of Yemen's Jewish population immigrated to Israel in Operation Magic Carpet. However, their dances were kept throughout history.

Learning Objectives

Understand the causes of the Jewish exodus
Explain the consequences of the emergence of monotheism
Gain an awareness of the the importance of singing, dance and music in the preservation of paraliturgical poetry
Experience the Ancient Yemenite dance

III

Main Lesson

Founding Myth

When looking at the influences surrounding ancient Israelite history at various times, these begin with Egypt. Although some researchers argue that the involvement of the Israelite with Ancient Egypt has not been proved, the memory of the exodus of the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt still constitutes the founding myth of the nation. (Deuteronomy 26:5-10 and elsewhere).

One theory takes literally the statement in I Kings 6:1 that the Exodus from Egypt occurred 480 years before Solomon began building the Temple in Jerusalem. This occurred in the fourth year of his reign, about 960 bce; therefore, the Exodus would date about 1440 bce, which coincides with early part of Ancient Egypt's New Kingdom period.

According to 1 kings 3:1-3, Solomon made a successful alliance with Egypt by marrying the pharaoh's daughter, probably Pharaoh Horemheb, who ruled for at least 14 years, between 1319 BC and 1292 BC., during the New Kingdom period.

(min 20:00)

Question1

Using your previous knowledge, what caused the exodus of the Jewish people?

Ancient Canaan

Jewish Virtual Dance: Dance

https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/dance

Geographical background

The Near East and the Eastern Mediterranean, including the regions that are now the location of the following states: Greece, Turkey, Iran (earlier called Persia), Iraq (the ancient Mesopotamia), Lebanon (the ancient Ugarit north of Canaan), Jordan (east of Canaan, across the Jordan river), Syria (related to ancient Assyria), Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Israel (the ancient Canaan, then Israel/Judah, then Judæa, then Palestine).

Historical background

Historians call the location of the stories told in the Bible the Ancient Near East ANE). The ANE was the location of the first urban high cultures and of major empires viewing for control over the "Fertile Crescent," the agricultural heart-land of Mesopotamia and Canaan.

The Epic of Gilgamesh is an epic poem from ancient Mesopotamia, regarded as the earliest surviving notable literature and the second oldest religious text, after the Pyramid Texts. The literary history of Gilgamesh begins with five Sumerian poems about Gilgamesh, king of Uruk, dating from the Third Dynasty of Ur (2100–1200 BC).

The Code of Hammurabi is a Babylonian legal text composed c. 1755–1750 BC (During the Egyptian New Kingdom period). It is the longest, best-organized, and best-preserved legal text from the ancient Near East.

Cultural background

Israel's culture, including its cultic institutions and its literature, draws on sources common to its environment. Out of her specific cultural heritage and political-historical experience, however, Israelite prophets, wisdom teachers, and priests developed a monotheistic system.

(Zoroastrianism, an ancient Persian religion that may have originated as early as 4,000 years ago, is arguably the world’s first monotheistic faith, it’s one of the oldest religions still in existence).

Israelite prophets, wisdom teachers, and priests also developed a unique form of religious, legal, and political thought which was to become the fundamental creed of several subsequent cultures, including Byzantine and Western Christendom and Islam. The Bible still retains traces of the development of monotheism which was not instituted without a struggle against more traditional forms of religion.

Question 2

What would you say changed with the emergence of monotheism?

Exodus

Studies show that Yemenis merged as a community after the first Temple was built by Solomon. Thus, the Teimanim communities (Yemenis Jewish people) settled in the Yemen area after that period. The ancient nation of Yemen lies at the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula. In ancient times Yemen was known as Arabia Felix, Latin for "happy" or "fortunate." The Teimanim brought and preserved many ancient songs which are found in the Yemeni Diwan or separate song collections

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4 Jewish Paraliturgical Poetry

Yemenite Jewish poetry, often referred to as "paraliturgical poetry" because of its religious nature, has been an integral part of Yemenite Jewish culture since time immemorial. Jewish people from Yemen have preserved a well-defined singing arrangement which not only includes the very poetic creation itself, but also involves a vocal and dance performance.

The performance is accompanied in certain villages outside Sana'a, (currently the largest city in Yemen and the centre of Sanaa Governorate), by drumming on an empty tin-can (tanakeh) or a copper tray.

The Jewish people of Yemen, maintaining strict adherence to Talmudic and Maimonidean halakha, observed the gezeirah which prohibited playing musical instruments. Thus, instead of developing the playing of musical instruments, they perfected the singing and rhythm aspects of the dance. This arrangement was integrated into the their daily life.

Hebraic Song and Dance from Yemen: The Jewish Communities (Teimanim) that resided in Yemen.

Bellow see a simple translation of the Yemeni Dialect. Some words are translated based on the way the performers pronounce them.

Note: the words in parentheses are added for clarification:

Down (the hill or mountain)

I went To the stream

To water my horse--

My foot slipped

And I fell into the water.

I went to propose (engagement)

But they rejected me,

(and) my "qat" (a stimulant)

And the "mada3ah" (water-pipe)

Although I'm the son of a Chief

The son of a Jew.

I went to propose

Carrying my qat and the mada3ah

But the bad guys

Made a fool of me.

Sweet heart and the apple of my eye

Tell those who made you

Think bad of me:

Who of you would entertain me?

From the early dawn

She got angry with me

And went cry--

Got angry--

oh darkness (of the night)

Out of sight is my beloved.

For a year and two months,

Never returned.

Alas people She left And deserted me.

To whom shall I complain,

And would understand me?

Before whom shall I cry,

And would pity me?

And who of you

Would entertain me.

Question 3

What was the importance of singing, dance and music in the preservation of paraliturgical poetry?

Diwans

The texts used in the arrangement were put down in writing and later included in separate song collections (dīwāns). The social strictures and norms in Yemenite Jewish culture provide for separate settings for men and for women, where the sexes are never mixed. Men’s songs usually expressed the national aspirations of the Jewish people, and it was far removed from the singing associated with the Muslim environment. The folk songs of Jewish women were sung by rote memory (unwritten poetry) and expressed the happiness and sorrows inherent in their daily life and was, as a rule, closer to that of Muslim women.

Question 4

Why were the diwans important?

My Beloved Heart

The dance shown in the video conjures up images of Judaism in the Ancient Near East (ANE). The women sing in Arabic while the males sing in Hebrew. The dance proves 3000 years of cultural retention in the Jewish diaspora. The Hebrew verse they sing at the end is the last verse of the song, "Eshal Elohai" ("I Will Ask My God,") by Shalom Shabazi (16th Cen. CE) which translates as:

"We will go up to our land, with song and praise and with splendor and majesty."

It is believed that King Solomon brought Jewish people with him to the land. It is believed that at least this part of Ancient Hebrew culture survived in Yemen. The music and dance are an example of Yemen's Jewish people performing a traditional dance and song in two languages Arabic and Hebrew.

Studies show that Yemenis merged as a community after the first Temple was built by Solomon. According to the Biblical narrative, Solomon's Temple, was a temple in Jerusalem built under King Solomon's reign and completed in 957 BCE. Ball State University and Teachers College (1961), state that the Jewish people fled their homeland 2500 years ago to Yemen in Arabia. This community brought and preserved many ancient songs which are found in the Yemeni Diwan!

Blady (2000) explains the the Yemenites are considered one on the most ancient of Jewish tribes. Spread out across Northern Yemen in more than one thousand towns and villages.

Question 5

Why were the Yemenis' dance, music and poetry important for the study of Ancient History?

IV

A Note to Remember

The Yemenites represent the survival of a displaced people who left Ancient Egypt in search for freedom.

V

Case Study

"Habib Galbi"

My Beloved Heart.

Yemeni Jews singing and dancing: A performance of the Yemenite Troupe.

VI

Activity

Students dissect the dance and come up with steps, which later become a phrase, to illustrates the restoration process of an ancient dance.

Choreographic and Music Aspects:

Call and response nature of the song
Turns clockwise
Arm movement
Single file to ensemble formation
Steps change with the percussion: cross step, facing different sides, step forward and backwards, side step
Pairs formation: Exchanging places, holding hand
Notice springing motion coming from the dancers' feet.

VII

Journaling

VIII

Glossary

Gezeirah: A rabbinical enactment issued as a guard or preventive measure; also a prohibition or restriction generally; from the root "gazar" (to cut; to decide).

Maimonidean: From Maimonides (1138—1204); Maimonides was a medieval Jewish philosopher with considerable influence on Jewish thought, and on philosophy in general. Maimonides also was an important codifier of Jewish law. His views and writings hold a prominent place in Jewish intellectual history.

IX

Sources

The Danforth Lectures, 1957 - 1960. Ball State University. Ball State College, 1961

Blady, Michael. Jewish Communities in Exotic Places. Jason Aronson

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X

STUDENTS' WORK

Previous Semester

Spring 2023

Fall 2023

Maken Up Work

Jolie Montlick

3/7

The enslavement of the Israelites was the catalyst for the exodus of the Jewish people, led by Moses. This period marked the emergence of monotheism, bringing significant changes in societal dynamics including cooperation, conflicts, religious beliefs, morals, and individual faith relationships. Singing, dancing, and music played a crucial role in refining the rhythmic elements of dance, which became ingrained in their daily lives, profoundly impacting their culture. Diwans, collections of songs, were pivotal in preserving cultural history and offering insights into gender dynamics. As they attest to 3000 years of cultural continuity in the Jewish diaspora, the Yemenite's dance, music, and poetry hold historical significance in the study of Ancient History.

Jason Fiske 3/7

Response (5/1):

The Exodus of the Jewish people, led by Moses, marked their liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt, triggered by Moses's confrontation with the Pharaoh and demand for freedom. The emergence of monotheism, with its belief in one higher power, reshaped cultural and religious norms, influencing the development of religious institutions and guiding principles for civilizations, diverging from the previous polytheistic practices. Singing, dance, and music played pivotal roles in preserving paraliturgical poetry, facilitating easier understanding, aiding memory retention, and fostering community cohesion and cultural identity. Diwans, collections of poetry and literary works, were crucial for preserving cultural heritage and offering insights into society, history, and language. Yemeni dance, music, and poetry hold significance for the study of ancient history by offering valuable insights into past civilizations through their traditions, oral histories, and cultural exchanges enriching our understanding of ancient societies and their interactions.

Nicholas Marino

Nick Marino 3/7

Oppression and enslavement in Egypt caused the exodus of the Jewish people.

The emergence of monotheism marked a shift from polytheistic belief systems.

Singing, dance and music preserved paraliturgical poetry through oral tradition.

The diwans were important compilations of Arabic poetry.

The Yemenis' rich cultural heritage provides insights into ancient practices.

Nydia Kyriakopoulos

The Exodus recounts a pivotal biblical narrative depicting the liberation of the Jewish people from Egyptian bondage, catalyzed by Moses' demand for their freedom. One significant element of this liberation is highlighted in the video: the plagues. These plagues, believed to be manifestations of God's power, compelled the Pharaoh to release the enslaved Israelites. Supporting this historical account is archaeological evidence, including a seal unearthed at archaeological sites and alphabetical inscriptions discovered in caves, which corroborate the Hebrews' enslavement in Egypt.