Ruham Alif's Boustrophedon

To some extent Ahmed’s pacification strategy works. It is May, the sun shines, and the crowds are out and about in Seven Dials. Festival-goers mingle with hen parties from London, writers and artists prepare for coming glory,  and part-time gardeners venture out to survey their dandelioned lawns. At the Old Chapel Arts Centre Writing Exhibition, an ancient boustrophedonic text is on display. On loan from Mandible Winkworth, it is his prize possession.  Many ancient scripts, such as Safaitic and Sabaean, were  written boustrophedonically, that is in both directions, alternating lines, left to right and right to left. Ruham Alif (the handsome electrician, locally known as 'the ox') stands and gazes at the wooden incised artefact for it represents his heritage.