On the Edge of Empire

Linda Boxberger

Description

Offering a new perspective on a little-studied society, On the Edge of Empire examines the gradual incorporation of the Qu`ayti and Kathiri sultanates of Hadhramawt in the southern Arabian Peninsula into the British Empire during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Boxberger shows how changes in political and social institutions fostered contestation at all levels, from rivalries over territory and political power, to heated debates over religious and educational reform, to efforts to regulate wedding customs and women's dress. Based on extensive fieldwork, this ethnographic and historical narrative draws upon a wide variety of sources, including British documents and accounts; local documents, manuscripts and rare printed materials; extensive interviews with Hadhrami elders from all walks of life; and proverbs, poetry, and tribal lore. Clearly written and richly textured, this book is a welcome contribution to the study of Yemen, the historical ethnography of the Middle East, and the literature on the Islamic societies of the Indian Ocean littoral.
List of Illustrations

Preface: Making History in Hadhramawt

Acknowledgments

Introduction

PART ONE. Aspects of Social Indentity in Hadhramawt and Abroad

1. Identity in Hadhrami Society

2. Hadhrami Emigration and the Mahjar

PART TWO. The Ordering of Life in Town and Country

3. Urban and Rural Life in the Interior

4. Urban and Rural Life on the Coast and Its Hinterland

PART THREE. Social Institutions and the Emergence of Social Criticism

5. Rites of Passage, Ceremonies, and Social Critique

6. Religious Belief, Practice, and Education: Tradition, Revival, and Critique

PART FOUR. Politics, Power, and Conflict

7. The Two Sultanates: Rivals from Inception to Union (1880s to 1918)

8. The Sultanates: Challengers and Reformers (1918 to 1936)

Conclusion

Appendix A
Rulers of Hadhramawt, Late Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Centuries

Appendix B
Qu'ayti-Kathiri Agreement of 1918 (the Aden Agreement)

Notes

Selected Bibliography, English and European Languages

Selected Bibliography, Arabic Language

Index

Sujets

• Reino Unido
• History of the Middle East
• United Kingdom
• Middle East
• History of Europe
• Great Britain
• Royaume-Uni

Informations

• Publié par: State University of New York Press
• Date de parution: 01 février 2012
• Nombre de lectures: 1
• EAN13: 9780791489352
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 2 Mo

Extrait

ON THE EDGE OF EMPIRE

SUNY Series in Near Eastern Studies Said Amir Arjomand, editor

ON THE EDGE OF EMPIRE

Hadhramawt, Emigration, and the Indian Ocean, 1880s–1930s

Linda Boxberger

State University of New York Press

Published by State University of New York Press, Albany

© 2002 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 whatsoever 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, electrostatic, 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 Dana Foote Marketing by Patrick Durocher

Library of Congress CataloginginPublication Data

Boxberger, Linda, 1951– On the edge of empire : Hadhramawt, emigration, and the Indian Ocean, 1880s–1930s / Linda Boxberger. p. cm — (SUNY series in Near Eastern studies) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-7914-5217-4 (alk. paper) — ISBN 0-7914-5218-2 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Hadhramawt (Yemen : Province)—History—19th century. 2. Hadhramawt (Yemen : Province)—History—20th century. 3. Hadhramawt (Yemen : Province)— Social life and customs—19th century. 4. Hadhramawt (Yemen : Province)—Social life and customs—20th century. I. Title. II. Series.

DS247 .H37 B69 2002 953.3—dc21

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

2001055141

To my mother and father

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CONTENTS

List of Illustrations/ ix

Preface: Making History in Hadhramawt/ xi

Acknowledgments/ xvii

Introduction/ 1

P ART O NE Aspects of Social Identity in Hadhramawt and Abroad

Chapter One Identity in Hadhrami Society / 11

Chapter Two Hadhrami Emigration and theMahjar/ 39

P ART T WO The Ordering of Life in Town and Country

Chapter Three Urban and Rural Life in the Interior / 67

Chapter Four Urban and Rural Life on the Coast and its Hinterland / 97

P ART T HREE Social Institutions and the Emergence of Social Criticism

Chapter Five Rites of Passage, Ceremonies, and Social Critique / 123

Chapter Six Religious Belief, Practice, and Education: Tradition, Revival, and Critique / 149

vii

viii

Contents

P ART F OUR Politics, Power, and Con×ict

Chapter Seven The Two Sultanates: Rivals from Inception to Union (1880s to 1918) / 183

Chapter Eight The Sultanates: Challengers and Reformers (1918 to 1936) / 211

Conclusion/ 241

Appendix A Rulers of Hadhramawt, Late Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Centuries / 247

Appendix B Qu‘ayti-Kathiri Agreement of 1918 (the Aden Agreement) / 249

Notes/ 253

Selected Bibliography, English and European Languages/ 277

Selected Bibliography, Arabic Language/ 283

Index /287

2.1

Map of Hadhrami emigration in the Indian Ocean region

cover photo:Husn al-Ghuwayzi, Qu‘ayti fort outside al-Mukalla

3.1

Map of Say’un

3.3

Map of Shibam

3.2

Map of Tarim

Map of sultanates and shaykhdoms of Southern Arabia and Hadhrami tribes

4.1

Map of al-Mukalla

Maps

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6

8

Map of towns and wadis of Hadhramawt

1.1

Figures

1.1

1.2

1.2

1

6

18

3.1

3.2

Say’un town gate

Well outside Shibam city wall

6

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ix

1.3

Shibam

Tomb of Ahmad b. ‘Isa, ancestor of the Hadhramisada

4.2

Social System in Hadhramawt

Map of al-Shihr

104

100

8

7

7

46

28

1

2

xii

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2

ILLUSTRATIONS

Map of Yemen today