The animal names of the Arab ancestors : explaining the non-human names of Arab kinship groups / William C. Young.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Young, William Charles, 1951- author.

Series:

Handbook of Oriental studies. Near and Middle East (2014) ; Section 1, v. 178.

Handbook of Oriental studies. Section one, The Near and Middle East, 0169-9423 ; volume 178.1, 178.2/1-178.2/2 = Handbuch der Orientalistik

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Arabic language--Etymology--Names.

Arabic language.

Names, Arabic.

Animals--Symbolic aspects.

Animals.

Bedouins--Arab countries--History.

Bedouins.

Arab countries.

Genre:

History

Physical Description:

2 volumes in 3 : charts, genealogical tables ; 25 cm.

Place of Publication:

Leiden ; Boston : Brill, [2024]

Summary:

"In the Arab world, people belong to kinship groups (lineages and tribes). Many lineages are named after animals, birds, and plants. Why? This survey evaluates five old explanations - "totemism," "emulation of predatory animals," "ancestor eponymy," "nicknaming," and "Bedouin proximity to nature." It suggests a new hypothesis: Bedouin tribes use animal names to obscure their internal cleavages. Such tribes wax and wane as they attract and lose allies and clients; they include "attached" elements as well as actual kin. To prevent outsiders from spotting "attached" groups, Bedouin tribes scatter non-human names across their segments, making it difficult to link any segment with a human ancestor. Young's argument contributes to theories of tribal organization, Arab identity, onomastics, and Near Eastern kinship"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Volume 1. [no special title]

Volume 2/1-2/2. Appendices.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Other Format:

Online version: Young, William Charles, 1951- Animal names of the Arab ancestors

ISBN:

9789004690363

9004690360

9789004690394

9004690395

9789004697478

9004697470

OCLC:

1402021538