1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910784889903321

Autore

Torab Azam

Titolo

Performing Islam [[electronic resource] ] : gender and ritual in Iran / / by Azam Torab

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Leiden ; ; Boston, : Brill, 2007

ISBN

1-281-40007-6

9786611400071

90-474-1054-8

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (319 p.)

Collana

Women and gender, the Middle East and the Islamic world, , 1570-7628 ; ; v. 4

Disciplina

305.48/6970955

Soggetti

Muslim women - Iran - Social conditions

Women in Islam - Iran

Women - Iran - Social conditions

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Description based upon print version of record.

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references (p. [261]-280) and indexes.

Nota di contenuto

Preliminary Material -- Introduction -- Chapter One Blurring Boundaries -- Chapter Two Women’s Caring Labour -- Chapter Three A Well-Adjusted Misfit -- Chapter Four The Morality of Self-Interested Exchange -- Chapter Five Rites of Masculinity -- Chapter Six Girls’ ‘Initiation’ Ritual -- Chapter Seven Reversal and Licence -- Chapter Eight The Head and Heart Tangle -- Conclusion -- Glossary -- References -- Author Index -- Subject Index -- Women and GenderThe Middle East And The Islamic World.

Sommario/riassunto

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.