essay
Shifting politics in Bedouin love poetry
language and the politics of emotion • Cambridge • Published In 1990 • Pages: 24-45
By: Abu-Lughod, Lila.
Abstract
In this article Abu-Lughod critiques studies that treat emotions as sui generis and dissociated from their social context, by showing how Bedouin love poetry has changed with changes in the political economy. Love poetry has been a legitimate form of emotional expression in contrast to the stoicism of everyday discourse which is constrained by a code of honor. Furthermore it is an expression of romantic love and freedom by youth and women in defiance of an overbearing patriarchal culture with its emphasis on agnatic ties. With the settlement of the Bedouin and the state's imposition of individual property rights, the power of tribal elders has increased. By 1985, it was mostly young men who sang and listened to poetry as a form of rebellion against their elders. According to Abu-Lughod, love poetry has always had a politcal context, challenging the authority of the patriarchal system, and giving expression to a coexistent egalitarian ethic.
- HRAF PubDate
- 1999
- Region
- Africa
- Sub Region
- Northern Africa
- Document Type
- essay
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Ethnologist
- Document Rating
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Ian Skoggard ; 1998
- Field Date
- 1978-1987
- Coverage Date
- 1985
- Coverage Place
- Western Desert, Egypt
- Notes
- Lila Abu-Lughod
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 44-45)
- LCCN
- 90001374
- LCSH
- Bedouins