Culture 6 - Inclusive: HABIBI

Nye, Naomi Shihab. HABIBI. New York: Simon Pulse, 1997. ISBN 9780689825231

Liyana is moving to another country. She has grown up in America and now her father is moving the family of four to his homeland - Palestine. She doesn't know this Arab side of herself. She doesn't know the relatives, the language, the customs, anything. It takes a friendship for her to begin to feel at home in this new place.

HABIBI is full of cultural markers towards the Arab culture. Cultural markers exist for the Jewish and Armenian cultures as well. The combination of all the cultures are woven together to tell the story of Liyana's family as they move from America to Jerusalem. Liyana, her mother, and brother were all born in America and always knew they would move overseas to experience the other half of their heritage. Liyana's parents decided this was a good time because of Liyana's and Rafik's ages, entering high school and middle school, respectively. Her father thinks it is safe enough to return to his homeland. Liyana is not sure this will be fun since she has just experiences her first kiss. The story is full of conflicting emotions in many of the character's lives and it will be reassuring for readers to see Liyana's inner thoughts throughout.
The idea of being immigrants is raised several ways. Liyana's father, Poppy, is an immigrant in the United States and his wife and children become immigrants in Jerusalem. After announcing the move, Poppy tells his family, " 'I never thought I'd become a citizen. I planned to return home after medical school.' " Poppy is preparing Liyana for the move by telling her "Arab women don't wear shorts" because they are inappropriate, as well as other tidbits about Arab women. Liyana's stress builds and we see what many people with dual heritage background may experience when face with the prospect of going to a place that is part of them but not known to them. She tells it to her father like this: " 'I'm just a half-half, woman-girl, Arab-American, a mixed breed like those wild characters that ride up on ponies in the cowboy movies Rafik likes to watch. The half-breeds are always villains or rescuers, never anybody normal in between.' " Liyana's character is admirable because she is bright and articulate and is able to put into words what many people her age cannot. Readers will admire and learn from her through her experience.
Liyana is a writer and we see bits of things she writes down, but one of her assignments before she moves is to interview her father about Jerusalem and discuss some of the issues from his point of view. Her paper has references to food and friends of different backgrounds but gives a simple explanation of some of the reasons for unrest in Jerusalem. "After the British weren't in control anymore, the Jews wanted control and the Arabs wanted control. Everybody said Jerusalem and Palestine was theirs. Too many other countries, especially the United States, got involved with money, guns, and bossing around." Liyana also shares information regarding what it was like during the fighting as it touched close to her father. Her paper also makes a reference to American Indians and how they "made my father very sad. He knew how the felt." This paper is integral to the story for background and will help readers who don't know the history from watching the news.
Once the family moves Nye gives readers vivid pictures of life in Israel. The tone is set for the story when the family is stopped at customs. The family is nervous and the reality of the peace that exists in America is not the same in Israel is apparent. The family begins their new life at a hotel in Jerusalem and is a good transition for them. The first time they meet Sitti, their grandmother, she blesses them and expresses her joy in a traditional cry, "threw her head back, rolled her tongue high up in her mouth and began trilling wildly." It is awhile before Liyana feels comfortable enough to go stay with her relatives in their village. She does not know their language and they do not know hers. It is a barrier that is overcome by love.
Cultural markers of appearance are introduced when meeting the relatives. Vivid details abound like Sitti's hands "tattooed with the dark blue shapes of flying birds." "The women's long dresses were made of thick fabrics, purple, gold, and navy blue, and stitched brightly with fabulous, complicated embroidery." "All the women wore gold bangle bracelets. The older ones had long white scarves draped and knotted firmly over their hair. The younger ones had bare heads, which made Liyana feel relieved." Details of the men's attire is given as well with differences noted for the older men. Rafik wants to understand names of relatives. A few words are thrown in interlingually but are explained well.
Liyana goes to an Armenian school and during lunch off campus one day meets a boy, Omer. Omer is Jewish, thus presenting a sensitive issue in the dynamics of the cultures of Israel. Omer is interested in Liyana's relatives but Poppy isn't sure the family would understand their friendship. She wins over her father by bringing up the issue of peace that he so desperately wants for his country. The relatives have mixed emotions regarding Omer's presence, but it is Sitti who welcomes him and opens the eyes of others in the family.
HABIBI is a must-read for students. Nye has woven together strong cultural markers and a strong story-line that captivates readers from the first sentence to the end. The themes of peace will be left with readers and could interest them enough to find ways to contribute.

BOOKLIST: "The story is steeped in detail about the place and cultures: food, geography, history, shopping, schools, language, religions, etc."

PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY: "Nye's climactic ending will leave readers pondering, long after the last page is turned, why Arabs, Jews, Greeks and Armenians can no longer live in harmony the way they once did."

Read other works by Naomi Shihab Nye:
19 VARITIES OF GAZELLE: POEMS OF THE MIDDLE EAST
ISBN 9780060504045