Mirisni vrt šeika Nefzavija

Mirisni vrt šeika Nefzavija

Muḥammad Ibn Muḥammad Al-Nafzawī

A classic 15th-century erotic manual, written by Sheikh Nefzawi at the request of the Sultan of Tunisia. Similar to the Hindu Kama Sutra, it presents an Islamic view of sexuality within marriage, emphasizing harmony and pleasure for partners.

Divided into 21 chapters, the work begins with an introduction to love and lust, where the author describes the ideal qualities of men and women: physical beauty, behavior, and mental qualities that make a lover attractive. Nefzawi advises on how to recognize love, avoid jealousy, and cultivate intimacy through poetry and jokes.

A special chapter is dedicated to foreplay – kisses, touches, and wordplay – to avoid monotony in married life. The core of the book consists of detailed descriptions of 36 sexual positions, each with a poetic name such as "The Grasshopper in Flight" or "The Lying Lion," illustrated with metaphors from nature and everyday life. The author warns of health risks, such as excessive lust that can lead to illness, and advises moderation, with recipes for aphrodisiacs made from spices and honey.

Erotic stories, such as the one about a young woman learning the art of love, permeate the text, offering entertaining anecdotes about adventures and unhappy lovers. Nefzawi writes the book seriously, without vulgarity, but with meticulous accuracy and humor, emphasizing that sex is a divine gift for procreation and pleasure.

As a "love course," the work offers practical advice for a harmonious married life, but also a broader insight into 15th-century Arab culture, where sexuality was celebrated as part of spirituality. Translated into numerous languages, it remains a fascinating window into the past, mixing wisdom, lust, and ethics.

Original title
al-Rawḍ al-ʿĀṭir fī Nuzhat al-Khāṭir
Translation
Vladimir Gorski
Illustrations
Ivo Friščić
Graphics design
Ivo Friščić
Dimensions
20 x 14 cm
Pages
309
Publisher
SKD Prosvjeta, Zagreb, 1972.
 
Latin alphabet. Paperback.
Language: Croatian.

One copy is available

Condition:Used, excellent condition
Damages or inconvenience notice:
  • Slight damage to the cover
 

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