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Performing Islam : gender and ritual in Iran / by Azam Torab.
Van Pelt Library HQ1735.2 .T67 2007
Available
- Format:
- Book
- Author/Creator:
- Torab, Azam.
- Series:
- Women and gender, the Middle East and the Islamic world 1570-7628 ; v. 4.
- Women and gender, the Middle East and the Islamic world, 1570-7628 ; v. 4
- Language:
- English
- Subjects (All):
- Muslim women--Iran--Social conditions.
- Muslim women.
- Women in Islam--Iran.
- Women in Islam.
- Women--Iran--Social conditions.
- Women.
- Social conditions.
- Iran.
- Physical Description:
- xvii, 300 pages ; 25 cm.
- Place of Publication:
- Leiden ; Boston : Brill, 2007.
- Summary:
- Performing Islam takes as its main focus the rich array of ceremonial activities that shape and inform the lives of circles of women in south Tehran. Based on anthropological fieldwork, the book describes and analyses rituals that mark religious anniversaries and life course events in Iran today. Arguing that the ritual performances are powerful forums where ideas develop, and where rules, symbols and discourses are contested, this book discusses the values and beliefs underpinning gender constructions in a rapidly changing and complex society. The ambiguous metaphorical language of the rituals is examined, revealing how gender ideologies are projected and renewed, but also challenged, destabilized and ridiculed. Thus the rituals provide possibilities for self- expression, innovation and incremental change. This study goes beyond questions of meaning and culture to interrogate the dynamics of gender performance as products of power and politics.
- Contents:
- Notes on Language xv
- Calendars xvi
- Chapter 1 Blurring Boundaries 31
- Chapter 2 Women's Caring Labour 68
- Chapter 3 A Well-Adjusted Misfit 92
- Chapter 4 The Morality of Self-interested Exchange 115
- Chapter 5 Rites of Masculinity 139
- Chapter 6 Girls' 'Initiation' Ritual 169
- Chapter 7 Reversal and Licence 194
- Chapter 8 The Head and Heart Tangle 223.
- Notes:
- Includes bibliographical references (pages [261]-280) and indexes.
- ISBN:
- 9004152954
- OCLC:
- 71146537
- Publisher Number:
- 9789004152953
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