Al-Sirah Al-Hilaliyyah – The Epic of Bani Hilal

Palestinian theatre company Khashabi Theatre reimagines an epic poem with physical theatre and live music.

The legendary poem Al-Sirah Al-Hilaliyyah (The Epic of Bani Hilal) has been passed down from generation to generation since the 14th century. Once widespread across the Middle East, it is now only performed in Egypt and is at risk of extinction.

Khashabi Theatre creators Bashar Murkus and Khulood Basel couldn’t find any evidence of a Palestinian version, so they chose to merge the myth with the aesthetics of Palestinian folklore and Arab performance styles.

Rejecting European theatrical norms, this exhilarating retelling merges physical theatre with poetry, live music, puppetry and dance. Murkus and Basel’s unique theatrical works are informed by extensive research and seek to ask questions of humanity – from within Palestine and beyond.

The epic, and the versions of it that have been passed down orally, has been on the UNESCO list of immaterial heritage since 2008. Poets have been singing about the migration of the Banī Hilāl tribe from Nadjd in Saudi Arabia to Tunisia since the 14th century. It is also the story of Abu Zayd al-Hilali, who was ostracised as a child for his dark skin, but rose from being a refugee to become the most legendary Arab leader. Like Murkus’ previous work, Al sirah al hilaliyyah is the result of extensive research and intensive collaborations with actors, researchers, designers and musicians.

We are one of the co-producers of this performance. World premiere was in January 2026, DE SINGEL (Antwerpen).