Wallada bint al-Mustakfi (1001 - 1091), was an Andalusian poet. The only child of Muhammad III of Córdoba, Wallada inherited his fortune, and used it to open a palace and literary hall in Córdoba. #CelebratingWomen
There she offered instruction in poetry and the arts of love to women of all classes, from those of noble birth to slaves. #CelebratingWomen
She was considered a great beauty for her time: blonde, fair-skinned and blue-eyed, in addition to being intelligent, cultured and proud.She was also controversial, walking out in public without a hijab, wearing transparent tunics, with her verses embroidered on her clothing.
Her behaviour was regarded by the local mullahs as perverse and was strongly criticized, but she also had a tremendous following. #CelebratingWomen
Wallada gained recognition for her skill in public poetry competitions, which was at the time almost entirely a male pursuit. It was during one of these competitions that she met her great love, the poet Ibn Zaydún, though their relationship had to remain a secret.
Eight of only nine poems still in existence by Wallada were written about their relationship, which ended because Zaydún also had male lovers. #CelebratingWomen
In one verse, it is implied that the relationship ended because of an affair between Ibn Zaydún and a black lover. The verse goes as follows: "You know that I am the moon of the skies, But, to my disgrace, you preferred a dark planet."#CelebratingWomen
Reminder to those still unconvinced about the historical realism of various kinds of diversity: THIS WAS THE EARLY ELEVENTH CENTURY. #CelebratingWomen
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