Dhu al-Rumma

Dhu al-Rumma (c. 696–735 AD), born Ghaylan ibn 'Uqba al-'Adawi, was a preeminent Bedouin poet of the Umayyad era. Often hailed as the "last of the great Bedouin poets," he is celebrated for his mastery of the classical qasida and his vivid, intricate descriptions of desert life, wildlife, and landscapes. His nickname, meaning "the one with the frayed cord," is traditionally linked to a bucket rope or a keepsake from his beloved, Mayya al-Munqariyya, whose name features prominently in his romantic verse. Dhu al-Rumma’s work serves as a linguistic treasure and a bridge between pre-Islamic traditions and the evolving Umayyad style. Scholars often regard him as the final exponent of the authentic desert poetic tradition, famously noted by the saying that poetry "ended with Dhu al-Rumma."