A review by Moussa Ibrahim Abu Rayash for Alquds Alrabi. September 30th, 2021
The recent publication of a novel written in Arabic from Chad is a cause for celebration. What’s even more encouraging is that several Chadian creatives are writing in Arabic, highlighting how little we know about this African country, and how overlooked its history, heritage, and culture remain. At the same time, this speaks to the deep-rooted presence of Arabic in Chad’s literature, journalism, everyday speech, and official institutions—where Arabic is an official language alongside French.
The Title and Its Meaning
The novel titled Symphony of the South carries rich symbolism. A symphony refers to a musical composition for orchestra; in Arabic, it also means “collective chanting.” Thus, Symphony of the South suggests the music or chorus of the South. Much of the novel’s depiction of southern Chad translates this concept: a melodious harmony of sound, imagery, and emotion. The South is portrayed as a place where humanity and nature are united in a beautiful symphony—people are part of the land and life itself, in an inseparable, mutual love that gives birth to captivating southern music and an enduring affection for the region. Reading the novel is like hearing a heartfelt musical composition about the South.
Introducing Chad to Arabic Readers
The novel carries an important mission: it acts as a key and introduction to Chad for Arabic readers, especially those unfamiliar with the country. It highlights the division between the North and South, fueled by differences in language, religion, ethnicity, and geography—features common to many countries worldwide. The North is generally more developed, hosting industry, services, and centers of power, while the South is marked by simplicity, beauty, warmth, and close human ties. This North-South divide has bred conflict, mistrust, and political strife, with the North’s turmoil causing suffering, corruption, and neglect for public services. The novel vividly portrays these struggles while celebrating the natural beauty of the South—from its trees, water, and wildlife to daily life, traditions, and social bonds.
Family Conflicts and Displacement
The novel also delves into family conflicts, jealousy, and rivalry, especially in the North. Key characters such as Hamid, Moussa, and Tankeh become victims of these familial disputes, leading them to seek refuge in the welcoming South, which offers warmth and solidarity after being rejected by their families and the North.
Narrative Techniques and Style
Though this is Tahir Anour’s second novel after Ashes of the Roots (2019), Symphony of the South shows a mature artistic style. The novel employs multiple voices, especially those of Mariam and Hamid, alongside others like Uncle Moussa and Khairallah Adam. It uses flashbacks, time shifts, memories, monologues, dreams, and dialogues to craft an engaging and intricate narrative. The plot unfolds gradually, skillfully holding the reader’s attention through intertwined stories and suspenseful reveals.
Beginning and Ending
The novel opens with a striking paragraph:
“Uncle Moussa died a year ago. After his death, my father left and headed north. He said he would return after a month… Everything happened suddenly and strangely.”
This introduction hints at death, departure, the North-South divide, delayed return, and unexpected events, immediately drawing readers in. The story ends with Mariam refusing to return to the North despite her aunt’s insistence, choosing instead to live in the South with her father’s widow and friends, signaling hope for reconciliation beyond ethnic, religious, and linguistic divides.
Language and Cultural Significance
The novel demonstrates that Arabic in Chad is not marginal or weak; it is beautiful, rich, and expressive—imbued with poetic imagery and eloquence that rival prominent Arabic novelists. This reflects the strong connection many Chadians have with Arabic, their commitment to learning and writing in it despite French’s dominance as the colonial and intellectual language. The novel’s language reveals the desert creators’ gift for a sweet, lush Arabic, a poetic contrast to the harshness of the Sahara. This fact calls on Arab intellectuals to study, support, and promote Chadian Arabic literature, which intimately connects to the country’s people and land.
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Conclusion
Published in Khartoum by Dar Al-Musawwarat in 2021 and spanning 393 pages, Symphony of the South is a joyful African-flavored novel that opens a creative window onto Chad’s problems, literature, and culture. Its underlying message is a call to Arabs: “We are here, so where are you?” It addresses the challenges blocking Chad’s progress and stability and places hope in the new generation to bridge divides and heal the nation’s wounds. Though the novel favors the South, this is a choice for stability, beauty, love, and human connection—offering an optimistic vision of unity through diversity.
Tahir Anour is a young Chadian writer and journalist under thirty. He serves as editorial secretary for New N’Djamena newspaper and editor at Ayyam newspaper. Winner of the King Faisal University Short Story Award in Chad (2015) for his story Land of Copper, he also has a manuscript titled Meaningless Playing. Symphony of the South heralds a promising, distinctive novelist whose future work is eagerly awaited.
