Close Relationships: Incest and Inbreeding in Classical Arabic Literature (Library of Middle East History, 9)

Gelder, Geert Jan Van

ISBN 10: 1850438552 / ISBN 13: 9781850438557

Published by London : I.B.Tauris, 2005

About this Item

viii, 278 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm. Summary:"Close Relationships is Geert Jan van Gelder's comprehensive study of the diverse facts and opinions found in pre-modern Arabic texts - both literary and non-literary - concerning incest and inbreeding resulting from repeated close-kin marriage." "Incest is shown to be a motif found in lampoons, anecdotes, jokes, stories, legends, creation stories (Adam and Eve's children), dream interpretation, and polemics with other religions or ethnic groups. In particular, the Zoroastrian Persians, who allegedly recommended next-of-kin marriage in pre-Islamic times, were attacked. Van Gelder acknowledges that while it is dangerous to make general assertions about the difference between 'Western' and Arab or Middle Eastern customs and attitudes, he argues that the theme of incest, so prominent at least in European literature since the Greek myths, is somewhat marginal in Arabic literature. Many of the relevant passages have been translated into English specially for this richly documented book that will be of interest not only to philologists and students of Arabic literature or Islamic culture but also to the general reader interested in the history of incest and inbreeding and attitudes towards these closely related concepts."--Jacket.

Seller Inventory # 22jbew19

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Close Relationships: Incest and Inbreeding in Classical Arabic Literature (Library of Middle East History, 9)
• Publisher: London : I.B.Tauris
• Publication Date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1850438552
• ISBN 13: 9781850438557
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: Fine
• Seller catalogs:
  • Literature
  • Islam

About this title

Synopsis

Close Relationships is Geert Jan van Gelder's groundbreaking and comprehensive study of the diverse facts and opinions concerning incest and close-kin marriage found in literary and non-literary pre-modern Arabic texts. The pre-Islamic Arabs knew about the dangers of inbreeding; the Qur'an formulates the basic principles of marriage impediments in Islam, which were elaborated by generations of jurists. Incest is a motif found in lampoons, anecdotes, stories, legends, dream interpretation, and polemics with other religions, in particular the Zoroastrians, who in pre-Islamic times allegedly recommended next-of-kin marriage. Many of the relevant passages are presented as English translations in this richly documented book.

About the Author

Geert Jan van Gelder is Laudian Professor of Arabic at the University of Oxford. He is a specialist in mediaeval Arabic belles-lettres and has published several books and many articles on Arabic poetry, poetics and prose genres.