Book

Veiled sentiments: honor and poetry in a Bedouin society

University of California PressBerkeley • Published In 1986 • Pages:

By: Abu-Lughod, Lila.

Abstract
Abu-Lughod examines two contrary discourses in Bedouin society. One discourse is the code of honor which supports the patriarchal and patrilineal system of the Bedouin. Women and young men practice voluntary deference, or HASHAM, to more powerful male elders. Emotions and sexuality are held in check by an enforced modesty for fear of undermining patriarchal authority and agnatic bonding. The other discourse is poetry which is the only accepted way to express personal love, longing, and loss. Poems are shared by friends and family, people of equal status, drawing them closer together.
Subjects
Drives and emotions
Social personality
Verbal arts
Status, role, and prestige
Gender status
Ethics
General sex restrictions
culture
Libyan Bedouin
HRAF PubDate
1999
Region
Africa
Sub Region
Northern Africa
Document Type
Book
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Ian Skoggard ; 1998
Field Date
1978-1980
Coverage Date
1978-1980
Coverage Place
Western Desert, Egypt
Notes
Lila Abu-Lughod
Includes bibliographical references (p. 297-307) and index
LCCN
86006948
LCSH
Bedouins