A Tale of Two Factions

Jane Hathaway

Description

Winner of the 2003 Ohio Academy of History Outstanding Publication Award

This revisionist study reevaluates the origins and foundation myths of the Faqaris and Qasimis, two rival factions that divided Egyptian society during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, when Egypt was the largest province in the Ottoman Empire. In answer to the enduring mystery surrounding the factions' origins, Jane Hathaway places their emergence within the generalized crisis that the Ottoman Empire—like much of the rest of the world—suffered during the early modern period, while uncovering a symbiosis between Ottoman Egypt and Yemen that was critical to their formation. In addition, she scrutinizes the factions' foundation myths, deconstructing their tropes and symbols to reveal their connections to much older popular narratives. Drawing on parallels from a wide array of cultures, she demonstrates with striking originality how rituals such as storytelling and public processions, as well as identifying colors and emblems, could serve to reinforce factional identity.

Abbreviations

Note on Transliteration

List of Illustrations

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Appendix: Origin Myths of the Factions

1. Bilateral Factionalism in Ottoman Egypt

2. Bir Varmis, Bir Yokmus: Folklore and Binary Oppositions in the Factional Origin Myths

3. Sa'd and Haram: The Factions' Bedouin Equivalents

4. The Yemeni Connection to Egypt's Factions

5. Red and White: The Colors of the Factions' Banners

6. The Knob and the Disk—The Factions' Standards

7. Selim and Sudun in the Origin Myths

8. The Mulberry Tree in the Origin Myths

9. The Competitive Feasts of Qasim and Dhu'l-Faqar Beys

10. Qasimi Genesis? Qansuh's Slave Troop and Ridvan's Circassian Genealogy

11. Faqari Genesis? 'Ali Bey's Mosque and the Ottoman Dhu'l-Faqar Sword

Conclusion

Notes

Bibliography

Index

Sujets

• History of the Middle East
• 18th century
• 17th century
• Middle East

Informations

• Publié par: State University of New York Press
• Date de parution: 01 février 2012
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780791486108
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 2 Mo

Extrait

A Tale of Two Factions

SUNY series in the Social and Economic History of the Middle East Donald Quataert, editor

A Tale of Two Factions

Myth, Memory, and Identity in Ottoman Egypt and Yemen

J ANE  H ATHAWAY

S U N Y P TATE NIVERSITY OF EW ORK RESS

Published by State University of New York Press, Albany

© 2003 State University of New York

All rights reserved

Printed in the United States of America

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatso- ever without written permission. No part of this book may be stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic, eletrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission in writing of the publisher.

For information, address State University of New York Press, 90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany, NY 12207

Production by Kelli Williams Marketing by Anne M. Valentine

Library of Congress CataloginginPublication Data

Hathaway, Jane. A tale of two factions : myth, memory, and identity in Ottoman Egypt and Yemen / Jane Hathaway. p. cm. — (SUNY series in the social and economic history of the Middle East) Includes bibliographical references (p. ) and index. ISBN 0-7914-5883-0 (alk. paper) — ISBN 0-7914-5884-9 (alk. paper) 1. Egypt—History—1517–1882. 2. Egypt—Economic conditions— 1517–1882. 3. Egypt—Social conditions. 4. Yemen—History. 5. Yemen—Economic conditions. 6. Yemen—Social conditions. I. Title. II. Series.

DT97.H38 2003 962’.03—dc22

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

2003055622

In Memoriam

Ulrich Haarmann Cem Taylan Jeanette Wakin Marilyn Waldman

This page intentionally left blank.

Abbreviations

Note on Transliteration

List of Illustrations

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Appendix:

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Contents

Origin Myths of the Factions

Bilateral Factionalism in Ottoman Egypt

Bir Varmıs¸, Bir Yokmus¸: Folklore and Binary Oppositions in the Factional Origin Myths

Sa˜d and Haram: The Factions’ Bedouin Equivalents

The Yemeni Connection to Egypt’s Factions

Red and White: The Colors of the Factions’ Banners

The Knob and the Disk—The Factions’ Standards

Selim and Sudun in the Origin Myths

The Mulberry Tree in the Origin Myths

vii

ix

xi

xiii

xv

1

21

25

4

5

6

7

1

9

95

111

123

135

viii

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Conclusion

Notes

Bibliography

Index

Contents

The Competitive Feasts of Qasim and Dhu’l-Faqar Beys

Qasimi Genesis? Qansuh’s Slave Troop and Ridvan’s Circassian Genealogy

Faqari Genesis? ˜Ali Bey’s Mosque and the Ottoman Dhu’l-Faqar Sword

143

149

165

185

193

253

277

BSOAS 1 EI 2 EI

Introduction

Abbreviations

Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies Encyclopaedia of Islam, 1st edition Encyclopaedia of Islam, 2nd edition

ix

ix