Behind the veil in Arabia: women in Oman

Unni Wikan

Johns Hopkins University Press, 1982 - History - 314 pages

Through photographs and detailed case histories, Unni Wikan explores the strict segregation of women, the wearing of the burqa mask, the elaborate nuptial rituals, and the graceful quality of Oman's social relations. "Wikan does provide insights into the real position of these secluded and segregated women. . . . All this is interesting and valuable."--Ahdaf Soueif, Times Literary Supplement "The book is detailed, insightful, and . . . engrossing. Anyone interested in the day-to-day triumphs and sorrows of women who live 'behind the veil' will want to read this account."--Arab Book World "Wikan, a fine ethnographer, has an eye for everything that is distinctive about the culture and . . . builds up a wholly convincing picture. Above all, there is a sustained attempt to penetrate the inner lives of these strangely serene people."--Frank H. Stewart, Wilson Quarterly "This book will certainly be of interest to all scholars concerned with sexual identity in the Islamic world."--Henry Munson, American Anthropologist

What people are saying

Review: Behind the Veil in Arabia: Women in Oman

User Review  - Sara - Goodreads

I read this back in the 90's but I really enjoyed it and learned quite a bit from it. A lot of what I read has stuck with me through the years. I'm glad I live in the United States!

Review: Behind the Veil in Arabia: Women in Oman

User Review  - Sara - Goodreads

Interesting look at women and gender relations in a particular region of Oman in the mid 1970s.

Contents

• Finding Our Way: 3
• The First Exotic Glimpse: 16
• The Town and Its People: 27

About the author

Unni Wikan is a professor in the Department of Social Anthropology at the University of Oslo. She is the author of numerous books, including "Behind the Veil in Arabia"; "Managing Turbulent Hearts"; and "Tomorrow, God Willing"-all published by the University of Chicago Press.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Behind the veil in Arabia: women in Oman
• Author: Unni Wikan
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1982
• ISBN: 0801827299, 9780801827297
• Length: 314 pages
• Subjects: History / Middle East / General; Marriage; Sex customs; Social Science / Anthropology / General; Social Science / Customs & Traditions; Social Science / Feminism & Feminist Theory; Social Science / Sociology / Marriage & Family; Social Science / Women's Studies; Suhar (Oman); Women; rSurhear (Oman); Ṣuḥār (Oman)