1. Terms and Methodology

The opening chapter introduces the topic of Lebanese Zajal and its practitioners, starting with the definition and etymology of basic terms in both the Hispano-Arabic context and the Lebanese tradition necessary for the metrical analysis that follows. The method used in the scansion of zajal meters is spelled out, highlighting the role of music and chorus in proper scansion of lines. A strong argument is made for the inclusion of stress in scansion, which, historically, has been overlooked.