Behind the Veil in Arabia: Women in OmanThrough photographs and detailed case histories, Unni Wikan explores the strict segregation of women, the wearing of the burqa mask, the elaborate nuptial rituals, and the graceful quality of Oman's social relations. "Wikan does provide insights into the real position of these secluded and segregated women. . . . All this is interesting and valuable."—Ahdaf Soueif, Times Literary Supplement "The book is detailed, insightful, and . . . engrossing. Anyone interested in the day-to-day triumphs and sorrows of women who live 'behind the veil' will want to read this account."—Arab Book World "Wikan, a fine ethnographer, has an eye for everything that is distinctive about the culture and . . . builds up a wholly convincing picture. Above all, there is a sustained attempt to penetrate the inner lives of these strangely serene people."—Frank H. Stewart, Wilson Quarterly "This book will certainly be of interest to all scholars concerned with sexual identity in the Islamic world."—Henry Munson, American Anthropologist |
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Common terms and phrases
Abdullah Abu Dhabi Aisha Ali's anthropologists Arab asked Baluch beautiful Bedu behavior boys bride price brother burqa close clothes concept cousin culture custom daughter dishdasha divorce dress Dubai example expressed face fact father Fatima female fetch Feyza Fredrik Barth friends girl gossip grace grandmother groom guardian guests harah honor hospitality hostess husband Ibadhi ideal interaction jewelry Khadiga Latifa lives Makran male Mariam marital marriage married means Meimona modesty months moral mother Muscat Muslim Nasr neighborhood neighbors never observe Omani parents person practice present prostitute qualities Rahmeh rarely reason relationship relatives respect responsible Rials role seems segregation serve sexes sexual shame Sheikha social society Sohari women spouses standards tact things tion town transexuals understanding veil Wali wear wedding whereas wife wives woman xanith