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Antara Ibn Shaddad Al-'Absi was a pre-Islamic Arab hero and poet (fl. 580) famous both for his poetry and his adventurous life. The account of his life forms the basis of a long and extravagant romance. Antara was born in Laiwa, now Liwa in the Rub' al Khali desert in United Arab Emirates. He was the son of Shaddad, a well respected member of the Arabian tribe of Banu Abs, and of Zabaibah, an African female slave. The tribe neglected Antara at first as a mixed race illegitimate son or slave, due to his color and slave lineage. Nevertheless, Antara soon claimed attention and respect for himself by his remarkable personal qualities and courage in battle, excelling as an accomplished poet and a mighty warrior. When the tribe needed his assistance to fend off another tribe in battle, Shaddad acknowledged Antara as his son, and granted him freedom. Antara fell in love with his cousin Abla, and sought to marry her despite his status as a slave. To secure allowance to marry, Antara had to face several challenges.
