Fadl ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz Al-Qahiri
My Journey began over 30 years ago. In 1990 I enlisted in the US Air Force and was introduced to the Arabic language and culture. Specifically I learned much about the Egyptian history and culture. I had always been interested in it, but this brought kindle to the fire. However, the would smolder for a time as my interest would remain fairly dormant until I found the SCA in 1996.
My first exposure to the SCA was in the Barony of Seleone in the Kingdom of Gleann Abhann (then it was Merdies). Fighting is what drew me at first, no big surprise. Over the next few years I would move multiple times and not play heavily. It wasn't until 2005, in the Barony of the Far West, in the Stronghold of Warrior's Gate, that I really set on my journey. I fought and learned, learned and played, played and watched, meeting many people along the way. |
Over the next several years, as I traveled in the military, I jumped from Shire to Barony and Kingdom to Kingdom. throughout the known world. I studied several languages such as Hebrew and Greek at the collegiate-level, learning the process of exegesis and how to appreciate and properly translate languages. Each time I learned, I enjoyed the process of learning about a language, the culture behind it, and the process of understanding what ancient texts tried to communicate. I then I found the Kingdom of Caid and the Barony of Dun Or. Here I found the home I never knew I was missing. And it is here my interests went far beyond what I once knew. You see, my lady and those around inspired me to be more.
"My Lady and those around me inspired me to be more."
My interests in languages returned anew and I began researching Arabic once again. Later this turned into delving deeper into the ancient Egyptian language and into the time period and culture. During the pandemic, I found looking more and more into the language, hungry to know more about it. It was then that I saw the beginning of interests in other within Caid that I truly became inspired. Tsyra II (princess at the time) was interested in an Ancient Egyptian rule and I had the opportunity to help Mistress Mary Dedwydd verch Gwallter in the writing of Tsra's heraldry speech. I dove deep into the language pulling resources from known scholars, my past knowledge, and knowledge of the languages and culture of the region. In the end, Mistress Mary did a fantastic job, and though the Egyptian language is considered a dead language and scholars do not know exactly how it sounded, the procession and presentation were amazing.
From there, my passion grew into a blaze, inspired by Mistress Mary and encourage by my Lady Ragnailt. I proceeded to follow suit and heralded the Barony of Dun Or in on multiple occasions; to TRM Wilhelm II and Tsyra II (In Ancient Egyptian and Ancient Greek), a second time to Wilhelm II and Tsyrra II (in Arabic), to TRM Optimus and Issa (in Classical Latin), and to TRM Wilhelm III and Lorissa (in Arabic). I even performed a chant (In Old Norse) at Altavia Anniversary and at a local Dun Or "Fun Or" event.
I even began trying to learn to not just translate speeches into the language, but to learn how to read the Egyptian language. I found resources and books that opened my eyes to how to not only read the ancient Egyptian language, but the etymology of it, the artistry of it, and even how it evolved, died out and was re discovered. I read about the Rosetta stone and though I knew it was the key, I learned why and how it opened up the Egyptian language to the modern day scholar.
Today I not only have researched the Egyptian language, but have looked at other languages such as Old Norse, Ancient Greek, Classical Latin, and recently a light look at Mayan. Honestly, I find languages fascinating and love to learn about them, even if I don't go down the rabbit hole into everything there is about the language.
So, having learned what I have, I have also felt the need to share my knowledge as I have with Mistress Mary. But it does not stop there; I have taught multiple classes to others about the Egyptian language the hieroglyphs. I only hope that I can show the joy and fascination I feel for the language to others and maybe inspire them. Is that not what we are born for; to learn and to share that knowledge? To inspire others to want to learn and share as well? Should we not use our passions for not only our own good but for the good of all those around us?
From there, my passion grew into a blaze, inspired by Mistress Mary and encourage by my Lady Ragnailt. I proceeded to follow suit and heralded the Barony of Dun Or in on multiple occasions; to TRM Wilhelm II and Tsyra II (In Ancient Egyptian and Ancient Greek), a second time to Wilhelm II and Tsyrra II (in Arabic), to TRM Optimus and Issa (in Classical Latin), and to TRM Wilhelm III and Lorissa (in Arabic). I even performed a chant (In Old Norse) at Altavia Anniversary and at a local Dun Or "Fun Or" event.
I even began trying to learn to not just translate speeches into the language, but to learn how to read the Egyptian language. I found resources and books that opened my eyes to how to not only read the ancient Egyptian language, but the etymology of it, the artistry of it, and even how it evolved, died out and was re discovered. I read about the Rosetta stone and though I knew it was the key, I learned why and how it opened up the Egyptian language to the modern day scholar.
Today I not only have researched the Egyptian language, but have looked at other languages such as Old Norse, Ancient Greek, Classical Latin, and recently a light look at Mayan. Honestly, I find languages fascinating and love to learn about them, even if I don't go down the rabbit hole into everything there is about the language.
So, having learned what I have, I have also felt the need to share my knowledge as I have with Mistress Mary. But it does not stop there; I have taught multiple classes to others about the Egyptian language the hieroglyphs. I only hope that I can show the joy and fascination I feel for the language to others and maybe inspire them. Is that not what we are born for; to learn and to share that knowledge? To inspire others to want to learn and share as well? Should we not use our passions for not only our own good but for the good of all those around us?
"My goal going forward is to continue my studies and delve even deeper to the Ancient Egyptian language"
My goal going forward is to continue my studies and delve even deeper into the Ancient Egyptian language. Eventually, I also plan to delve into the Coptic language as modern day scholars see it as the evolved form of ancient Egyptian. Actually, because of its use still today, it is one of the reasons that we can translate the Egyptian language. So why would I not want to go there. I don't see any of this ever stopping.
Recently I discovered chemical and acid etching. I was intrigued, but I also wanted to find a way to incorporate my love for languages into my etchings. So I etched the Stela of Mereri. I was very happy with how it turned out. What was even cooler is that I discovered that etching on a metal plate is period. I mean come...on!! You see in the mid to late 1400s, armored began etching plates for use in making books. It was the beginning of mass production and continued in Europe for decades. I could go on and on, but I think that is enough for my first post. Probably too much.
So, until next time, keep on your journey and may you never stop learning.
Fadi
Recently I discovered chemical and acid etching. I was intrigued, but I also wanted to find a way to incorporate my love for languages into my etchings. So I etched the Stela of Mereri. I was very happy with how it turned out. What was even cooler is that I discovered that etching on a metal plate is period. I mean come...on!! You see in the mid to late 1400s, armored began etching plates for use in making books. It was the beginning of mass production and continued in Europe for decades. I could go on and on, but I think that is enough for my first post. Probably too much.
So, until next time, keep on your journey and may you never stop learning.
Fadi