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SPEAKER_00: Hello, from Wonder Media Network, I'm Jenny Kaplan, and this is Womanica. This month we're talking about folk heroes, people whose lives and stories took on mythic proportions. One bloody afternoon in seventh century Damascus, a mysterious knight dressed in black thundered across the battlefield. On horseback, the knight headed straight for enemy lines, tearing through legions of Byzantines. And then, as the night passed, and then emerged at long last, spear dripping with blood, a pack of soldiers trailing behind. Who was this fearless fighter? Let's talk about Hawla bint al-Azwar. Hawla was born to a chief in the Bani Asad tribe, who ruled in modern day Iraq. From birth, Hawla was close with her brother, Deir Arr. Wherever he went, Hawla went. Whatever he learned, Hawla learned too. So while Deir Arr was being trained as a warrior, learning how to ride a horse and wield a sword, so was Hawla. Hawla's family embraced the earliest teachings of Islam, and Deir Arr joined up with Muslim conquests. As always, Hawla was by his side. She was also trained as a nurse, helping heal soldiers injured on the battlefield. During the siege of Damascus in the year 634, Deir Arr was knocked off his horse and lost his spear. He was surrounded by Byzantine soldiers and captured. Hawla jumped into action. Wearing all black with a green scarf covering her bust and another covering her face, she tore after Deir Arr. She broke through the Byzantine ranks like an arrow and disappeared. The Muslim troops were baffled. Who was that? All their best known fighters were accounted for. Throughout the day, the Black Knight kept reappearing, covered in blood, followed closely by a pack of Byzantine soldiers. Then finally, facing defeat, the Byzantines began retreating. The Muslim army commander needed to know the identity of this courageous fighter. He searched until he found and cornered the Black Knight. He told the Knight, "'Take down your veil. Please.' He needed to see who this brave man was." The Black Knight tried to flee, but the rest of the Muslim soldiers had surrounded the mysterious warrior. Finally, the Black Knight replied, "'My prince, I did not answer because I am shy. You are a great leader and I am only a woman whose heart is burning.'" Hawla explained that she was desperately searching for her brother who'd been captured. The army's leader sent troops to chase the fleeing Byzantines. Those troops were led by Hawla, the fearless Black Knight. After another battle, Deir Arr and the other prisoners were saved. This was not the end of Hawla's war. It was just the beginning. Back on the battlefield, Hawla's horse was injured and she was taken prisoner. Hawla was known for her beauty as well as her combat skills, and one of the generals decided to take her for himself. Hawla was furious. She would rather die than submit to this man. So Hawla did what she did best. She fought back. Hawla rallied the other women prisoners, encouraging them to grab tent poles and pegs to use as bludgeons. They formed a tight circle, weapons at the ready. Suddenly, Hawla lunged, killing a guard with her makeshift spear. The battle had begun. The women shouted encouragement to one another as they fought. Hawla recited Islamic verses, her words floating above the fray. Legend has it they killed 30 enemy knights before reinforcements appeared. Some tellings put the death count at five, some at 3,000. Today, some historians question whether Hawla ever actually existed. Much of what's been passed down is found in a book written by an ancient historian whose reliability has been called into question. Even so, Hawla bin Tal'Azwar's name lives on today. It graces the facades of schools across the Muslim world, including the Islamic Republic of Iran. Including the Gulf region's first military school for women. All month we're talking about folk heroes. For more information, find us on Facebook and Instagram at Womanica Podcast. Special thanks to Liz Kaplan, my favorite sister and co-creator. Talk to you tomorrow.
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