Book
The Bedouin of Cyrenaica: studies in personal and corporate power
Press Syndicate of the University of Cambridge • (72) • Published In 1990 • Pages: xii, 310
By: Peters, Emrys L. -1987, Goody, Jack, Marx, Emanuel.
Abstract
This is one of the best ethnographies ever written. Peters provides very detailed and insightful accounts of feuding, lineage organization, gift-giving, bridewealth, and patron-client relations among the Bedouin of northern Libya. He critiques conventional understandings of gift-giving, segmentary lineage system, and women's status in a patriarchal society. He argues that power and leadership among the Bedouin is limited and not congruent with lineage organization, but based on control of resources through affinal and matrilateral networks. These networks are established through giving of gifts, including bridewealth. Ostensibly all brothers are equal because land and water is corporately held and equally shared by agnates, however, men can gain use of additional land and water through their in-laws. Selective and astute manipulation of these ties creates differences in wealth and power among agnates.
- HRAF PubDate
- 1999
- Region
- Africa
- Sub Region
- Northern Africa
- Document Type
- Book
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Ethnologist
- Document Rating
- 4: Excellent Secondary Data
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Ian Skoggard ; 1998
- Field Date
- 1948-1950
- Coverage Date
- 1948-1950
- Coverage Place
- northern Libya
- Notes
- Emrys L. Peters ; edited by Jack Goody and Emanuel Marx
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 298-306) and index
- LCCN
- 89048036
- LCSH
- Bedouins