Until recently, verse composed by illiterate Bedouin masters of the art has remained close in spirit and language to these examples.
Prominent historical nabati poets include Ibn Daher who lived in Ras Al Khaimah in the 16th century and whose work still influences the poetry today.
[2] Nabati poetry arose in the 16th century as the Arabic dialect seeped its way into Bedouin speech in the Arabian desert.
[5][page needed][neutrality is disputed] This nomadic lifestyle influenced their poetry, making it difficult for sedentary scholars to understand the cultural milieu that informed their poems.
[6] An important cultural element in the daily life of the region, nabati poetry was used to declare war, seek peace and resolve tribal disputes.
[1] The nabati community have made adjustments beneficial to continue the writing and reciting of this style of poetry.
They have come up with new ways to recite and share their poetry across many listeners and across different types of media, such as radios and television.
[1] The term nabati is considered to have been derived from the Nabataean civilization, an Arab kingdom that arose in north-western Arabia and had its cultural center in the city of Petra.
Another important figure is the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (1918-2004), the founding father of the UAE, who was not only known for his visionary leadership but also for his poems that echoed his love for his land, its people, and its unity.
His verses explored a variety of themes including heritage and national pride, allowing readers across the Arab world to resonate with his works.