Arab Women in the Middle Ages - Hardcover

by Shirley Gurthrie (Author)

Regardless of social rank and religion, whether Christian, Jew or Muslim, Arab women in the Middle Ages played an important role in the functioning of society. This book is a rare journey into their daily lives, their private spaces, and public roles. We are introduced into the womens sanctuaries, their homes and what occurs within its realm--marriage and contraception, childbirth and childcare, culinary traditions, body and beauty rituals--providing rare insight into the rites and rituals prevalent among the different communities of the time. Drawing from the Islamic traditions, as well as legal documents, historical sources, and popular chronicles of the time, Guthries book is an informative study of an area which remains relatively unexplored.

Author Biography

Shirley Guthrie was educated at the Universities of Aberdeen and Edinburgh and has travelled widely in the Middle East. Since receiving her doctorate in Islamic painting in 1992, she has continued her research into illustrated Arabic manuscripts.