Lakhdar Baraka's Haiku: Bridging Japanese Tradition and Algerian Culture

Abstract

Abstract: This article analyzes the adaptation of Japanese haiku in contemporary Algerian poetry, focusing on a selection of works by the poet Lakhdar Baraka. Haiku; a Japanese poetic form characterized by its brevity and recall of nature, has been reinterpreted by Baraka to reflect the cultural and natural realities of Algeria. Baraka has skillfully adapted the traditional haiku structure (5-7-5 syllables) to capture local themes such as the desert, oases, and everyday life in Algeria, while preserving the philosophical essence of haiku. This study highlights how Baraka has fused haiku techniques with Algerian cultural elements, creating a new poetic genre that reflects Algerian identity while enriching the national literary scene. Baraka’s transcultural adaptation has also deepened mutual understanding between Algerian and Japanese cultures, illustrating how literary traditions can be transformed to address new realities while preserving their fundamental essence. Keywords: Poetry experience, transcultural adaptation, Algerian and Japanese Haiku, poetic mimicry.