The tribe responded with its own poems explaining why it felt it to be necessary to cleanse the stain on its honour. More often than not tribes endeavour to avoid spilling blood and apply a symbolic poetic force aimed at achieving honour and not necessarily the liquidation of the opponent. Poetry is therefore both the creation of an art form and a social action in which the poet takes on the role of a peacemaker, a warrior or a variety of other roles. To be a poet is to be a tribesman and to be a tribesman is to be a poet. A truly great poet may have to speak up against a leader, at considerable risk to his personal safety, in order to defend his tribe's honour.
Tribal poetry is thought to be as ancient as the spoken language.
According to a variety of scholars Adam spoke in verse as did the kings of the ancient kingdoms of Saba and Himyar. There are two kinds of poets, the hajis, geniuses who can create verse from the top of their heads and whose talent is as inexhaustible as a bottomless well and sha'ir, ordinary poets, whose sometimes turn to qat for inspiration. Wedding poetry is the most prolific. It is produced in reciprocity for the generous hospitality of the groom's family. Once the guests have been fed they are exhorted by the groom's father to perform the balah.