Tala al-Zahra

Photo
Baroness Tala al-Zahra
Information
Resides: Barony of Highland Foorde Status: Active Awards: Tala al-Zahra OP Entry
Heraldry
Argent, an olive tree fructed and eradicated and a bordure gules

Introduction

I am Shaykha (Baroness) Tala al-Zahra. In the SCA, I study linguistics, onomastics, philosophy, natural sciences, epigraphy, and archery. I mostly focus on the Tamazgha region of Northern Africa, historically inhabited by the Amazigh (aka, "Berber") people, but I explore other topics and regions as curiosity dictates.

Persona

I take the POV of an Amazigh woman of Zenata lineage. Tala lives in the city of Fes, under the Marinid Sultanate (modern-day Morocco), which ruled the area from the 13th-15th centuries CE. Visit Tala's SCA website to learn more about her persona and projects.

Affiliations

Laurel-Mentor Relationships

• Foster/Current Laurel association: Magistra Beatriz Aluares de la Oya
• Original Laurel association: Mistress Mary “Molly” Isabel of Heatherstone

Apprentice-Sibling Relationships

• Mariana Ruiz de Medina
• Lady Marguerite Honoree d'Cheneau
• Noble Sæunn hima
• Lady Vivienne la Fleur
• [more to be added]

Guilds & Groups

• Atlantian Madrasa Guild
• Kingdom of Atlantia Royal Forestry Guild

Classes Taught

• Arabic for Practical Use in the SCA, Summer University (Barony of Sacred Stone, Kingdom of Atlantia), 2016
• Beginner Arabic, Pennsic 45 (Kingdom of Æthelmearc), 2016
• Arabic for Practical Use in the SCA, Fall University (Kingdom of Atlantia), 2016
• Acclimating to Arabic, War of the Wings (Barony of Sacred Stone, Kingdom of Atlantia), 2016
• Arabic 101: Reading and Writing, Pennsic 46 (Kingdom of Æthelmearc), 2017
• Arabic 101: Speaking and Pronunciation, Pennsic 46 (Kingdom of Æthelmearc), 2017
• Maghribi Philosophy: A Participatory Discussion, Pennsic 46 (Kingdom of Æthelmearc), 2017
• Arabic Language to Enrich your Middle Eastern Persona, Fall University (Kingdom of Atlantia), 2017
• Arabic 101: Speaking and Pronunciation, War of the Wings (Barony of Sacred Stone, Kingdom of Atlantia), 2017
• Tiraz Bands, Atlantian Madrasa Guild A&S Day and Smithsonian Field Trip, November 2017
• Arabic 101: Speaking and Pronunciation A, Pennsic 47 (Kingdom of Æthelmearc), 2018
• Arabic 101: Speaking and Pronunciation B, Pennsic 47 (Kingdom of Æthelmearc), 2018
• Maghribi Philosophy: A Participatory Discussion, Pennsic 47 (Kingdom of Æthelmearc), 2018
• Arabic 101: Conversation and Pronunciation, Pennsic 48 (Kingdom of Æthelmearc), 2019
• Arabic 101: Reading and Writing, Pennsic 48 (Kingdom of Æthelmearc), 2019
• Maghribi Philosophy: Mind of Maimonides, Pennsic 48 (Kingdom of Æthelmearc), 2019
• Arabic 101: Pronunciation and Speech, Winter University (Kingdom of Atlantia), 2022
• Introductory Arabic Workshop, War of the Wings (Kingdom of Atlantia), 2022
• Languages of North Africa, Winter University (Kingdom of Atlantia), 2023
• (future) Exploring the Unknown in the SCA: Studying Less-Researched Regions, Storvik Novice (Kingdom of Atlantia), 2023
• (future) Sijilmassa: City of Gold at the Edge of the Sahara, Pennsic 50 (Kingdom of Æthelmearc), 2023

A&S Displays, Performances & Competitions

• Atlantian Madrasa Guild A&S Table – Battle on the Bay, Barony of Storvik, Atlantia, 2016
• Atlantian Madrasa Guild A&S Table – Defending the Gate, Canton of Sudentorre, Atlantia, 2017
• Atlantian Madrasa Guild tent – War of the Wings, Barony of Sacred Stone, Atlantia, 2017
• Atlantian Madrasa Guild Table – Diwali Midwinters Feast, Barony of Lochmere, 2018
• Ottoman tughra entry – Storvik Novice A&S competition, Barony of Storvik, Atlantia, 2018
• Ottoman tughra entry – Pennsic open A&S display, Pennsic 47, 2018
• Ottoman tughra entry – “Atlantian Nights” A&S display, Pennsic 47, 2018
• Maghribi and Andalusian Song Performance – “Atlantian Nights,” Pennsic 47, 2018

Volunteer Offices & Positions Held and Service within the SCA

• Coordinator, Mileacre Encampment Hafla – Pennsic 43, 2014
• Cook & server, Highland River Melees, Barony of Highland Foorde, Atlantia, 2015
• Archery marshal-in-training, Stierbach Baronial Birthday, Barony of Stierbach, Atlantia, 2015
• Event lackey, Holiday Faire, Barony of Stierbach, Atlantia, 2015
• Archery marshal-in-training, Chalice of the Sun Gods/Coronation, Barony of Ponte Alto, Atlantia, 2015
• Archery marshal-in-training, St. Sebastian Shoot, Pennsic 44, 2015
• Coordinator, Mileacre Encampment Hafla – Pennsic 44, 2015
• Shoot and target designer, Battle on the Bay, Barony of Storvik, Atlantia, 2015
• Storvik Archery Baronial Champion – 2016 to 2018
• Madrasa Guild Northern Deputy President – serving alongside Mistress Kisaiya Zingara, 2016 to present
• Madrasa Guild Facebook group administrator, 2016 to present
• Laurel-level 'Oscar' commentator – Arabic, Hebrew, and Berber/Tuareg names – 2016-Present
• Archery MiC, Shoot & Target Designer, Storvik Investiture and Novice, Barony of Storvik, Atlantia, 2016
• Archery marshal, St. Sebastian Shoot, Pennsic 45, 2016
• Royal retaining (x3) for his majesty, King Dietrich – Pennsic 45, 2016
• Archery marshal, Pennsic War Points, Pennsic, 2016
• Name heraldry consultant for Arabic, Hebrew, and Berber/Tuareg language – Herald’s Point, Pennsic 45, 2016
• Archery Marshal, Battle on the Bay, Barony of Storvik, Atlantia, 2016
• Coordinator, Atlantian Madrasa Guild A&S Track – Fall University, Atlantia, 2016
• SCA in al-Maghreb Facebook group founder & administrator, 2016 to present
• Archery MiC + Storvik Archery Practices, Barony of Storvik, 2017-2018
• Archery MiC + Shoot & Target Designer, Storvik Investiture and Novice, Barony of Storvik, Atlantia, 2017
• Coordinator, Maghribi Track, Pennsic University (inaugural year) – Pennsic 46, 2017
• Royal retainer for her majesty, Queen Signy – Pennsic 46, 2017
• Coordinator, Atlantian Madrasa Guild Social at Orluk Oasis – Pennsic 46, 2017
• Name heraldry consultant for Arabic, Hebrew, and Berber/Tuareg language – Herald’s Point, Pennsic 46, 2017
• Coordinator, Atlantian Madrasa Guild A&S Track – Fall University, Atlantia 2017
• Coordinator, Atlantian Madrasa Guild A&S Track – War of the Wings, Barony of Sacred Stone, Atlantia, 2017
• Coronation & cultural consultant for Sultan Dietrich & Sultana Una of Atlantia – November, 2017
• Head royal retainer for Their Highnesses/Majesties, Dietrich & Una, 11/2017 to 10/2018
• Archery Marshal, Storvik Novice, Barony of Storvik, Atlantia 2018
• Awesomecon volunteer, SCA display at Awesomecon at the Washington DC Convention Center, Atlantia, 2018
• Name heraldry consultant for Arabic, Hebrew, and Berber/Tuareg language – Herald’s Point, Pennsic 47, 2018
• Coordinator, Maghribi Track, Pennsic University – Pennsic 47, 2018
• Name heraldry consultant for Arabic, Hebrew, and Berber/Tuareg language – Herald’s Point, Pennsic 48, 2019
• Coordinator, Maghribi Track, Pennsic University – Pennsic 48, 2019
• Coordinator, Madrasa (Middle & Near Eastern Guild) Track – Winter University, Atlantia, 2023
• Coordinator, African Track, Pennsic University (inaugural year) – Pennsic 50, 2023
• Accessibility coordinator, Stierbach Holiday Faire, 2023

Awards, Degrees & Prizes

Awards

• Award of Arms (Atlantia), awarded at Pennsic War XLV (Æthelmearc), 8/10/2016
• Companion of the Company of the Silver Silkie (Atlantia), awarded at Storvik Novice and Unbelt (Storvik), 6/3/2017
• Companion of the Opal (Atlantia), awarded at Pennsic War XLVI (Æthelmearc), 8/9/2017
• Silver Tassel (Atlantian Madrasa Guild), awarded at War of the Wings (Barony of Sacred Stone), 10/17/2017
• Companion of the Owl (Atlantia), awarded at Storvik Novice and Unbelt Tournament (Storvik), 6/23/2018
• Award of the Fountain (Atlantia), awarded at Pennsic War XLVII (Æthelmearc), 8/6/2018
• Court Baronage (Atlantia), awarded at Pennsic War XLVII (Æthelmearc), 8/8/2018
• Companion of the Pearl, Grant of Arms (Atlantia), awarded at Battle on the Bay (Storvik), 9/22/2018
• Companion of the Order of the Lark, Grant of Arms (Atlantia), awarded at Highland Havoc (Highland Foorde), 11/12/2022

University of Atlantia Degrees

• UA98 - Fellow of the University, University of Atlantia
• UA107 - Bachelors of SCA Studies, University of Atlantia
• UA113 - Masters of SCA Studies, University of Atlantia

Prizes

• Novice archery winner, archery competition, Barony of Highland Foorde, Atlantia, 2015
• Winning entry, Ottoman tughra entry – Storvik Novice A&S competition, Barony of Storvik, Atlantia, 2018