War Literature with Reference to Yemeni Zāmil

Abstract

The present paper attempted to investigate the Yemeni Zāmil and its relation to the regional war against Yemen that started its flames on 24^th  March, 2015 up to now. Therefore, this paper was based on the qualitative approach in which the researcher described the current situation in Yemen especially during the war and its outcomes represented in literature. The researcher analyzed the factors that helped the Zāmils spread all over the Yemeni regions under the control of Ansar Allah (Al-Ḥūthī) government. The paper began with the poetry of Western poets and their reactions and protests against World War I. Then the researcher oriented the paper to the historical background of the Zāmil, its origin, how it became a popular folklore that reflected the Yemeni tradition. Finally, the paper discussed the emergence and the spread of the Ḥūthī Zāmils as part of the Yemeni Zāmils. The researcher presented some samples of these Zāmils. It is worth mentioning that the main focus of this study was to shed light on the four purposes of Zāmils on deepening the Yemeni identity, providing the Yemeni army, especially those fighting in the trenches, with men, money and the necessary  equipment, showing the influence of these Zāmils on the Yemeni society, and their  psychological impact on the spirit of the enemy army. Therefore, this paper aimed at exploring to what extent these Zāmils deepen the Yemeni identity, create the spirit of enthusiasm in the Yemeni soldiers during the military confrontation and enhance the morality and values within the Yemeni people. The paper concluded with stressing the great influence of Zāmils on the spirit and psychology of the fighters in the fronts. The researcher also stressed the interest in this original popular heritage through the recommendation of the concerned authorities to enrich this heritage in order to preserve it from extinction or loss.