maqamat

Maqamat is a term that refers to two related but distinct traditions in the Islamic world: a literary genre and a musical system. In literature, maqamat (plural of maqama) denotes a form of rhymed prose and episodic storytelling that developed in the medieval Arabic world and reached its classic maturity in the hands of writers such as Hamadhani and, later, Al-Hariri of Basra. A maqama is typically told by a wandering narrator who encounters a succession of diverse characters—merchants, poets, tricksters, and others—each episode crafted to display linguistic virtuosity, wit, and rhetorical skill. The prose is interwoven with poetry and marked by elaborate diction, wordplay, and shifts in tone. The works are urban in setting and often satirical, balancing entertainment with moral or social observation. The genre exerted a lasting influence on Arabic, Persian, and Turkish literature and helped elevate the status of vernacular prose.

In music, maqamat (plural of maqam) denote modal frameworks used in traditional Arabic music. A maqam represents a scale or mode with a characteristic set of pitches, melodic motifs, and emotional coloration. Each maqam provides a basis for improvisation and composition, guiding melodic contour, typical cadences, and ornamentation. The system has regional varieties across the Middle East, North Africa, and neighboring cultures, and it has been documented and taught through theoretical treatises and performance practice. In modern times, maqamat remain central to Arabic-language musical pedagogy and repertoire, influencing genres and ensembles across several regional musical traditions.