What do you think?
Rate this book
The Secret of the Sahara: Kufara
The Secret of the Kufara is a non-fiction book written by Rosita Forbes. The book is a fascinating account of Forbes' journey through the Libyan desert in the 1920s. The book focuses on Forbes' exploration of the Kufara Oasis, a remote and mysterious place that was largely unknown to the Western world at the time.Forbes' journey to Kufara was not an easy one. She faced numerous challenges, including harsh weather conditions, difficult terrain, and hostile tribes. However, Forbes was determined to reach her destination and uncover the secrets of the oasis.The book is a vivid and detailed account of Forbes' journey, and it provides readers with a unique glimpse into a world that was largely unknown to Westerners at the time. Forbes' writing is engaging and descriptive, and she does an excellent job of bringing the desert and its people to life.Overall, The Secret of the Kufara is a must-read for anyone interested in travel, adventure, or exploration. It is a fascinating and inspiring book that will leave readers with a new appreciation for the beauty and mystery of the desert.1921. With 54 illustrations from photographs by the author and a map. Forbes, an Englishwoman, made history when, in 1935, traveling alone and using every conceivable means of transportation, she made it from Peshawar to Samarkand and beyond in Afghan. In this volume she relates the fascinating account of her remarkable journey to Kufra, made in the company of Ahmed Hassanein Bey, disguised as a bedouin woman. She was the second European to ever reach Kufra.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
- GenresTravelLibyaNonfiction
456 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1937
About the author
Rosita Forbes
40 books7 followersRosita Forbes was born in 1893 and later married a soldier with whom she travelled to India, China, Australia and South Africa. During the first world war she worked as an ambulance driver and received two medals for her war services from the French government.
Forbes had the gift of the genuine traveller: she lived and mixed with the locals, frequenting bazaars and making friends with the Arabs, Afghans, Indians, Tadjiks, Usbegs and Kazaks. After a visit to England, Forbes travelled to Morocco and then went to Abyssinia where she made a travel film entitled From Red Sea to Blue Nile.
Later she visited Persia and in 1930 travelled through Syria, Palestine, Iraq and Transjordania. Her other travels took her to South America, Russia and from Kenya to the Gold Coast.
Rosita Forbes was awarded a Fellowship of the Royal Geographical Society.
Forbes had the gift of the genuine traveller: she lived and mixed with the locals, frequenting bazaars and making friends with the Arabs, Afghans, Indians, Tadjiks, Usbegs and Kazaks. After a visit to England, Forbes travelled to Morocco and then went to Abyssinia where she made a travel film entitled From Red Sea to Blue Nile.
Later she visited Persia and in 1930 travelled through Syria, Palestine, Iraq and Transjordania. Her other travels took her to South America, Russia and from Kenya to the Gold Coast.
Rosita Forbes was awarded a Fellowship of the Royal Geographical Society.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 2, 2015
Florence of Arabia?
Ok, Libya. While other women of the early 1920s were swooning over the Sheik of Araby on the gramophone or the silver screen, the intrepid Rosita Forbes was travelling by camel caravan across the Libyan desert to the mysterious region of Kufra, or Kufara. This area of oases and salt lakes was the centre and holy place of the Senussi order. Rosita Forbes was the first European woman to travel to this area, albeit under the disguise of an Arab woman, "Sitt Khadija."
The account still feels fresh and immediate, after 90-plus years. The author admits to writing "under a scented sage bush, or huddled inside a flea-bag" or even scribbling whilst camel-riding! All the ingredients of a desert adventure are there - hostile tribesmen, sandstorms, camel skeletons and sinister porters. Along with this are passages of beautiful description of the loneliness of the desert, as well as intelligent and informed commentary on history, religion and politics. There are some wonderful humorous touches, too. While describing a banquet, the author comments on "oddments which I imagined belonged to the private life of a sheep."
The book is dedicated to Mrs Forbes' fellow explorer, Ahmed Mohammed Bey Hassanein: "In memory of hours grave and gay, Battles desperate and humorous, Of success and failure in the Libyan desert." The reader gathers that this gentleman played every role imaginable in the desert adventure, from chaperone to Imam, from evil fanatic to spoiled child, as well as urbane dandy, with his "attire more suited to Bond St than the Sahara." Other sources suggest that Mrs Forbes played down Hassanein's leadership role on the expedition and it's probably fair to say that the flamboyant lady explorer had at least met her match in her companion!
I must admit that I got a little confused by all the names at times, and reading on my Kindle did make me somewhat disorientated, as it was difficult to refer to a map. And, of course, some of the 1920s attitudes feel uncomfortable these days. Despite this, I thoroughly enjoyed travelling back in time to a mysterious and exotic place with such a fabulous tour-guide as Rosita Forbes.
Ok, Libya. While other women of the early 1920s were swooning over the Sheik of Araby on the gramophone or the silver screen, the intrepid Rosita Forbes was travelling by camel caravan across the Libyan desert to the mysterious region of Kufra, or Kufara. This area of oases and salt lakes was the centre and holy place of the Senussi order. Rosita Forbes was the first European woman to travel to this area, albeit under the disguise of an Arab woman, "Sitt Khadija."
The account still feels fresh and immediate, after 90-plus years. The author admits to writing "under a scented sage bush, or huddled inside a flea-bag" or even scribbling whilst camel-riding! All the ingredients of a desert adventure are there - hostile tribesmen, sandstorms, camel skeletons and sinister porters. Along with this are passages of beautiful description of the loneliness of the desert, as well as intelligent and informed commentary on history, religion and politics. There are some wonderful humorous touches, too. While describing a banquet, the author comments on "oddments which I imagined belonged to the private life of a sheep."
The book is dedicated to Mrs Forbes' fellow explorer, Ahmed Mohammed Bey Hassanein: "In memory of hours grave and gay, Battles desperate and humorous, Of success and failure in the Libyan desert." The reader gathers that this gentleman played every role imaginable in the desert adventure, from chaperone to Imam, from evil fanatic to spoiled child, as well as urbane dandy, with his "attire more suited to Bond St than the Sahara." Other sources suggest that Mrs Forbes played down Hassanein's leadership role on the expedition and it's probably fair to say that the flamboyant lady explorer had at least met her match in her companion!
I must admit that I got a little confused by all the names at times, and reading on my Kindle did make me somewhat disorientated, as it was difficult to refer to a map. And, of course, some of the 1920s attitudes feel uncomfortable these days. Despite this, I thoroughly enjoyed travelling back in time to a mysterious and exotic place with such a fabulous tour-guide as Rosita Forbes.
February 17, 2018
سر الصحراء الكبرى : الكفرة
المؤلف: روزيتا فوربس
المترجم: صبرى محمد حسن
دار النشر: المركز القومي للترجمة
المؤلف: روزيتا فوربس
المترجم: صبرى محمد حسن
دار النشر: المركز القومي للترجمة
March 2, 2020
Seitel gives an excellent narration in this audio travelogue from the early-20th century.
In an age when women were expected to remain at home, entertain, and rear children, Rosita Forbes elected "to boldly go where no one had gone before..." Like her older contemporary, Gertrude Bell (who was focused more in the Persian and Iraqi areas), Forbes held a profound love of the vast desert and the people who lived there. That love shines out in this engaging travelogue of her November 1920 - February 1921 adventure. The expedition took her deep into the Libyan desert to seek a remote location, revered by local peoples, that was protected from outside intrusion. Forbes was the first European woman, and only the second outsider, to reach Kufara, amid trials of difficult travel, complications with camels, differing priorities of personnel, political intrigue, outright betrayal, climate hardships, and near-disastrous wanderings off the route when water was short or gone. Her sharing of the surroundings, situations, and cultural nuances makes the reader feel as if you were right there with her, shading your eyes as you await the capture of the sunrise or sunset mirage that will show the distant features you hope to locate. Join her entourage and travel along through the Libyan sands as she shares this historic journey of more than a thousand miles.
In an age when women were expected to remain at home, entertain, and rear children, Rosita Forbes elected "to boldly go where no one had gone before..." Like her older contemporary, Gertrude Bell (who was focused more in the Persian and Iraqi areas), Forbes held a profound love of the vast desert and the people who lived there. That love shines out in this engaging travelogue of her November 1920 - February 1921 adventure. The expedition took her deep into the Libyan desert to seek a remote location, revered by local peoples, that was protected from outside intrusion. Forbes was the first European woman, and only the second outsider, to reach Kufara, amid trials of difficult travel, complications with camels, differing priorities of personnel, political intrigue, outright betrayal, climate hardships, and near-disastrous wanderings off the route when water was short or gone. Her sharing of the surroundings, situations, and cultural nuances makes the reader feel as if you were right there with her, shading your eyes as you await the capture of the sunrise or sunset mirage that will show the distant features you hope to locate. Join her entourage and travel along through the Libyan sands as she shares this historic journey of more than a thousand miles.
Read
June 3, 2024 كتاب توثيقي مهم؛ لكن للأسف الترجمة خجولة وكم الأخطاء الإملائية غريب جدا جدا ومربك لو وضعنا في الحسبان أن الكتاب خضع للمراجعة والتصيصح!!! لا أعرف قد يكون المترجم قد قام بالواجب والمراجع ضيع تعبه أو أن المراجع قد وقع على ترجمة معضلة... على العموم أعتقد أن دار النشر العريقة الفرجاني قد استعجلت بالنشر. لا أنصح بشراء هذه الطبعة الأولى ولربما مستقبلا قد قد يتم تدارك هذا الخطأ.0
لا أعتقد أن تقييم الكتاب أمر منصف.0
لا أعتقد أن تقييم الكتاب أمر منصف.0
February 15, 2019
كتاب مشوق جدا للمغامِرة روزيتا فوربس حيش رافقت حسنين باشا في رحلتة الاولي الي الكفرة اصدر الكتاب الاصلي سنة 1921نيويورك ،اما النسخة التي قرأتها فهي ترجمه قامت بها دار الفرجاني سنة 2013 ترجمة جميلة لاكن علي غير عادة دار الفرجاني اخطاء املائية كثيرة .
انصح جدا كل محبي ادب الرحلات والمهتمين بتاريخ ليبيا عامة والسنوسية ومناطق الصحراء الشرقية خاصة قرائه هذا الكتاب الشيق.
انصح جدا كل محبي ادب الرحلات والمهتمين بتاريخ ليبيا عامة والسنوسية ومناطق الصحراء الشرقية خاصة قرائه هذا الكتاب الشيق.
December 26, 2020
An exciting read but unfortunately her opinion on some groups of people are heavily influenced by her time, which is quite appaling to modern readers.
November 20, 2025
كتاب "سر الصحراء الكبرى: الكفرة" من تأليف الرحالة البريطانية جوان روزيتا فوربس وترجمة صبري محمد حسن عن المركز القومي للترجمة، هو من الأعمال النادرة التي توثق رحلة امرأة غربية عبر الصحراء الغربية من واحة سيوة المصرية إلى واحة الكفرة الليبية قبل أكثر من قرن، بالتحديد في عام 1920، وهي لم تتجاوز السابعة والعشرين من عمرها حينذاك.
لذا فمغامرة فوربس حدثاً استثنائياً ذو دلالة رمزية عن الشجاعة والتحدي. فقد قطعت أكثر من 1500 كيلو متر وسط صحراء غير مأهولة، شديدة الحرارة نهاراً وقاسية البرودة ليلاً، واعتمدت على خطابات توصية من أمراء العائلة السنوسية وعلى مساعدة الرحالة المصري محمد حسنين باشا، الذي يكشف الكتاب عن جوانب أخرى من شخصيته غير تلك المرتبطة تاريخياً بعلاقتها بالملكة نزلي
يبرز حسنين باشا كشخصية محورية في الرحلة، إذ كان شاباً طموحاً، شديد التدين وذو علاقات واسعة بالعائلة السنوسية. وتكريماً له، أهدته فوربس تذكاراً لساعات الخطر والصعوبات التي واجهتهما سوياً أثناء اجتياز التضاريس القاسية.تقمص الهوية العربية والتحديات ارتدت فوربس الزي البدوي، وتعلمت اللغة العربية، وادعت كونها عربية مسلمة لتسهيل حركتها وتجنب التهديدات، حتى أن بعض الجمال ماتت خلال الرحلة من قسوة الطبيعة، وعانت مع حسنين الجوع والعطش في أيام قاربت الهلاك.
حرصت فوربس على تدوين كل المشاهدات، سواء الجغرافية أو الاجتماعية واللغوية. في وصفها لإجدابيا مثلاً، تقول إنها رقعة أرض مهجورة ذات رمال حمراء وصخور، يعتمد أهلها البدو على أعشاب رمادية اللون كوقود لغلي النيران، ولا توجد طرق ممهدة بل مدقات تربط حصون الإيطاليين وسرايا الارتريين والجماعات العربية.قيمة الكتاب كمصدر تاريخييمثل الكتاب وثيقة فريدة عن الصحراء الكبرى في مطلع القرن العشرين، ليس فقط بتوثيق الجغرافيا والتضاريس، بل أيضاً بتسجيل اللهجات، والتقاليد، وأوضاع المرأة، وأزياء أهل الصحراء، وعلاقاتهم بساداتهم السنوسيين، الذين يُمنحون مكانة شبه مقدسة. كما يحتوي على صور وخرائط ووثائق مهمة عن الحركة السنوسية وغيرها من العناصر الإثنوغرافية ذات القيمة للدارسين والباحثين.يُعد هذا الإصدار العربي من المركز القومي للترجمة فرصة نادرة للاطلاع على رحلة محفوفة بالمخاطر قادتها روح المغامرة والإصرار، وأعيد إحياؤها اليوم كوثيقة إنسانية وجغرافية واجتماعية فريدة تستحق القراءة والتأمل.
لذا فمغامرة فوربس حدثاً استثنائياً ذو دلالة رمزية عن الشجاعة والتحدي. فقد قطعت أكثر من 1500 كيلو متر وسط صحراء غير مأهولة، شديدة الحرارة نهاراً وقاسية البرودة ليلاً، واعتمدت على خطابات توصية من أمراء العائلة السنوسية وعلى مساعدة الرحالة المصري محمد حسنين باشا، الذي يكشف الكتاب عن جوانب أخرى من شخصيته غير تلك المرتبطة تاريخياً بعلاقتها بالملكة نزلي
يبرز حسنين باشا كشخصية محورية في الرحلة، إذ كان شاباً طموحاً، شديد التدين وذو علاقات واسعة بالعائلة السنوسية. وتكريماً له، أهدته فوربس تذكاراً لساعات الخطر والصعوبات التي واجهتهما سوياً أثناء اجتياز التضاريس القاسية.تقمص الهوية العربية والتحديات ارتدت فوربس الزي البدوي، وتعلمت اللغة العربية، وادعت كونها عربية مسلمة لتسهيل حركتها وتجنب التهديدات، حتى أن بعض الجمال ماتت خلال الرحلة من قسوة الطبيعة، وعانت مع حسنين الجوع والعطش في أيام قاربت الهلاك.
حرصت فوربس على تدوين كل المشاهدات، سواء الجغرافية أو الاجتماعية واللغوية. في وصفها لإجدابيا مثلاً، تقول إنها رقعة أرض مهجورة ذات رمال حمراء وصخور، يعتمد أهلها البدو على أعشاب رمادية اللون كوقود لغلي النيران، ولا توجد طرق ممهدة بل مدقات تربط حصون الإيطاليين وسرايا الارتريين والجماعات العربية.قيمة الكتاب كمصدر تاريخييمثل الكتاب وثيقة فريدة عن الصحراء الكبرى في مطلع القرن العشرين، ليس فقط بتوثيق الجغرافيا والتضاريس، بل أيضاً بتسجيل اللهجات، والتقاليد، وأوضاع المرأة، وأزياء أهل الصحراء، وعلاقاتهم بساداتهم السنوسيين، الذين يُمنحون مكانة شبه مقدسة. كما يحتوي على صور وخرائط ووثائق مهمة عن الحركة السنوسية وغيرها من العناصر الإثنوغرافية ذات القيمة للدارسين والباحثين.يُعد هذا الإصدار العربي من المركز القومي للترجمة فرصة نادرة للاطلاع على رحلة محفوفة بالمخاطر قادتها روح المغامرة والإصرار، وأعيد إحياؤها اليوم كوثيقة إنسانية وجغرافية واجتماعية فريدة تستحق القراءة والتأمل.
August 24, 2015
I read a 1921 edition published by Cassel. A truly amazing book. The first woman secreted into Mecca. A truly awesome must read.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews