# Baba Mustapha — The Shaving of Shagpat character guide

> Baba Mustapha in The Shaving of Shagpat by George Meredith.

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0000-the-thwackings

## Snapshot

A barber of the old school whose trade and counsel shape the young Shibli before prophecy takes him.

## Who they are

Baba Mustapha belongs to the world of razors and shop-talk that Shibli Bagarag leaves behind when he sets out for Shagpat's city. As a father figure in the barbering craft, he represents the ordinary, honorable life that Shibli's ambition strains against. His presence grounds the early chapters in a tangible trade, making Shibli's leap into genies and enchanted asses feel like a genuine departure from something real.

## Relationships

### [Shagpat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/characters/shagpat)

_professional_

Baba Mustapha is a barber who serves Shagpat, but his skills are ironically useless against the magical hair.

### [Shagpat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/characters/shagpat)

_professional_

Baba Mustapha is a barber who serves Shagpat, but his skills are ironically useless against the magical hair.

## In the story

### [The Thwackings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/the-thwackings)

Shibli's uncle, a renowned barber in Shiraz, mentioned as a reference for Shibli's craft.

### [Goorelka of Oolb](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/goorelka-of-oolb)

Mentioned as Shibli's uncle who was bastinadoed by the King of Oolb; his fate stirs Shibli's emotions.

### [The Sons of Aklis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/the-sons-of-aklis)

Shibli recounts anecdotes about his uncle Baba Mustapha's loquacity, amusing the youths.

### [The Plot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/the-plot)

Shibli's uncle, a gabbler, who is to be brought to the city and tricked into attempting to shave Shagpat.

### [The Dish of Pomegranate Grain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/the-dish-of-pomegranate-grain)

The barber who attempted to shave Shagpat; the people clamor for his sacrifice.

### [The Burning of the Identical](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/the-burning-of-the-identical)

Forced to attempt shaving Shagpat again; he is terrified, delays, and is hurled back when the Identical rises.

### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/conclusion)

Pronounced Sovereign of Oolb as a reward.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/characters/baba_mustapha
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/characters