Eighth Century
Comic Figure

Biographical Data. Juha is a popular comic hero, found under various names—including Goha and Abu Nuwas— in the jokes of North Africa, Southwest Asia, East Africa, and Iran. Over the centuries, well-known scholars have debated whether he really lived and when. Several early works mention him as a member of the tribe of Banu Fazara and a resident of al-Kufah in Iraq. He is said to have lived a hundred years, to have been connected with some well-known people of the eighth century, and to have died during the reign of Khalifah al-Mansur (754-775). The earliest reference to him is from the early ninth century in the essays of al-Jahiz, who mentioned him among other people known for their follies.

Comic Character. Juha appeared as the central figure in a collection of anecdotes called Kitab Nawadir Djuha, which is mentioned...