Tala al-Zahra
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 Baroness Tala al-Zahra | ||||||
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Introduction
Ahlan (Welcome)! I am Shaykha (Baroness) Tala al-Zahra. I was originally apprenticed to Mistress Mary “Molly” Isabel of Heatherstone, and I am currently being fostered by Magistra Beatriz Aluares de la Oya.
Persona
Tala is of Amazigh (aka, Berber) descent -- specifically of the Zenata line, which also boast the warrior queen, Kahina, and the Marinid ruling family of Tala's day. Tala lives in the city of Fes, under the Marinid Sultanate (modern-day Morocco), which ruled the area from the 13th-15th centuries CE.
Classes & Academic Coordination
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
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 A&S Track – 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
- 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, Madrasa (Middle & Near Eastern Guild) Track – Fall University, Atlantia, 2016
- 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, Madrasa (Middle & Near Eastern Guild) Track – Fall University, 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
- Coordinator, Maghribi Track, Pennsic University – Pennsic 47, 2018
- 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 and Achievements
Awards
- 8/10/2016 - Award of Arms (Atlantia), awarded at Pennsic War XLV (Æthelmearc)
- 6/3/2017 - Companion of the Company of the Silver Silkie (Atlantia), awarded at Storvik Novice and Unbelt (Storvik)
- 8/9/2017 - Companion of the Opal (Atlantia), awarded at Pennsic War XLVI (Æthelmearc)
- 10/17/2017 - Silver Tassel (Atlantian Madrasa Guild), awarded at War of the Wings (Barony of Sacred Stone)
- 6/23/2018 - Companion of the Owl (Atlantia), awarded at Storvik Novice and Unbelt Tournament (Storvik)
- 8/6/2018 - Award of the Fountain (Atlantia), awarded at Pennsic War XLVII (Æthelmearc)
- 8/8/2018 - Court Baronage (Atlantia), awarded at Pennsic War XLVII (Æthelmearc)
- 9/22/2018 - Companion of the Pearl, Grant of Arms (Atlantia), awarded at Battle on the Bay (Storvik)
- 11/12/2022 - Companion of the Order of the Lark, Grant of Arms (Atlantia), awarded at Highland Havoc (Highland Foorde)
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