Wafa (or waafaa) the Aramean was an ancient philosopher and poet who lived well before the Christian era.1 He was mentioned only by Anton of Takrit who wrote “The fifth meter of poetry is usually composed of six or seven strophics whose number sometimes increases or decreases. This meter belongs to a man named Wafa, an Aramaean philosopher. The composition of poetry by this man, whose name has been unknown for generations, is evidence that this art (poetry) is old with us.” Anton also cites a line of poetry by Wafa whose meter he allowed himself to change in order to comply with the melody:
“I Wafa, of noble origin who dispelled his worries and drove away his sorrows;
I who rest his heart by driving away grief and distress as well as the outbursts of anger and anxiety;
for the men whose anxieties increase, misfortunes become their guests forever.”
Anton also says that “this type of poetry is composed in the manner of the amorous songs in which the composers of war lyrics and wedding love songs were accustomed to compose.” This is all that is known about Wafa.
1- Wafa the Aramaean