African, Arab, or Both? What *Season of Migration to the North* Reveals About Identity

What is it about?

Season of Migration to the North sits at the intersection of African and Arab literary traditions and is often taught as a novel that bridges different cultures and worlds. Scholars have celebrated it for this in-between position, but the novel also challenges the idea that "Arab" and "African" are separate, clearly defined identities. Looking closely at the theme of "lies" throughout the story helps reveal how the main character, Mustafa Sa'eed, reflects troubling racial attitudes that have shaped some forms of modern Arab identity. In his relationships with English women, he often relies on exotic stereotypes about Arabs while downplaying or hiding his African identity. Through this portrayal, the novel draws attention to a broader problem: the marginalization of Blackness within dominant understandings of what it means to be Arab.

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Photo by Masjid Pogung Dalangan on Unsplash

Photo by Masjid Pogung Dalangan on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Many people think of "Arab" and "African" as two separate categories. But for millions of people those identities overlap. The novel shows that real life is much more complicated than the labels we often use. It is also important because it starts a conversation about race that is often overlooked. We hear a lot about how Europeans stereotyped and discriminated against Arabs and Africans during colonialism. This novel asks us to look at another issue too: why Black African identities have sometimes been pushed to the margins within Arab societies and discussions of Arab identity. The character Mustafa Sa'eed is a good example. He presents himself to others in ways that emphasize certain stereotypes about being Arab while hiding parts of his African identity. His behavior raises questions about which identities are celebrated, which are ignored, and why. These questions are persistently relevant. Race, representation, and who gets included in national or cultural identities, are issues that continue to be debated. The novel reminds us that identity is rarely simple. It is shaped by history, power, and the stories people tell about themselves and others. Ultimately, the novel matters because it helps us understand that identities are not either/or. People can belong to multiple worlds at once, and the tensions that come with that reality continue to shape conversations about race and belonging today.