Novelist Ahmed Abu Dahman, author of the novel "The Belt," dies at the age of 76
The Saudi and Arab cultural scene lost a prominent literary figure today with the passing of Saudi novelist and writer Ahmed Abu Dahman , who died at the age of 76. The deceased was one of the most prominent names who carried Saudi identity to the world stage, leaving behind a unique creative legacy, most notably his famous novel "The Belt," which marked a turning point in the history of contemporary Saudi literature.
From the mountains of Asir to the lights of Paris
Ahmed Abu Dahman was born in 1949 in the village of Al Khalaf, in the Sarat Abidah Governorate of the Asir region in southern Saudi Arabia. He grew up in a mountainous environment rich in folklore and ancient traditions, an environment that remained present in his consciousness and formed the raw material for his later literary works. Early in his life, Abu Dahman moved to Paris, the French capital, where he completed his postgraduate studies and lived for many years. During this time, he worked as the director of the Riyadh newspaper's office in France, placing him at the heart of the cultural exchange between the Arab world and Europe.
"The Belt": A humanitarian document in the language of Molière
The exceptional significance of Abu Dahman's work lies in his being the first writer from the Arabian Peninsula to write a novel directly in French, and for it to be published by a prestigious international publishing house like Gallimard in 2000. His novel, "La Ceinture" (The Belt), was not merely a narrative work; it served as a cultural bridge, conveying the details of life in a southern Saudi village, with its customs, traditions, and vibrant culture, to the Western reader. The novel achieved remarkable success, being translated into eight languages before the author himself translated it into Arabic, which was published by Dar Al Saqi in 2011—a rare step where an author reinterprets his work in his native language.
Cultural and literary impact
Ahmed Abu Dahman was more than just a storyteller; he was a cultural ambassador par excellence. His writings helped correct many stereotypes about Saudi society in the West, presenting a profound and human portrait that transcended superficiality. His style was distinguished by its blend of autobiography and anthropology, as he documented the major social transformations that the Kingdom witnessed, the impact of modernity and globalization on remote villages, and the struggle between tradition and modernity.
With his passing, an important chapter of Saudi expatriate literature is closed, but his voice, which resonated from the peaks of Asir to be heard in the streets of Paris, will remain immortal through “The Belt” and his journalistic writings in which he always defended beauty, humanity, and the values of tolerance.
