- published: 20 May 2009
- views: 428465
Arab people, also known as Arabs (Arabic: عرب, ʿarab), are a panethnicity primarily living in the Arab world, which is located in Western Asia and North Africa. They are identified as such on one or more of genealogical, linguistic, or cultural grounds, with tribal affiliations, and intra-tribal relationships playing an important part of Arab identity.
The word "Arab" has had several different, but overlapping, meanings over the centuries (and sometimes even today). In addition to including all Arabized people of the world (with language tending to be the acid test), it has also at times been used exclusively for bedouin (Arab nomads [although a related word, "`a-RAB," with the Arabic letter "alif" in the second syllable, once was sometimes used when this specific meaning was intended] and their now almost entirely settled descendants). It is sometimes used that way colloquially even today in some places. Townspeople once were sometimes called "sons of the Arabs." As in the case of other ethnicities or nations, people identify themselves (or are identified by others) as "Arabs" to varying degrees. This may not be one's primary identity (it tends to compete with country, religion, sect, etc.), and whether it is emphasized may depend upon one's audience.
Oh these tattered
imaginary wings
Want to make them real
real
Oh these many
useless coverings
Want to make throw away
away
You are the shelter in the winter rain
You are the child underneath the pain
You are
Feeling heavy
you won’t let it down
It’s not their not
their
Sparrow falling
until she’s on the ground
Your not alone
alone
You are the caged one who is finally free
You are the oasis in the desert heat
You are the shelter in the winter rain
You are the child underneath the pain
You hold the answer though you can’t explain
What you are to me