On the Edge of Empire: Hadhramawt, Emigration, and the Indian Ocean, 1880S-1930s (S U N Y Series in Near Eastern Studies) [Paperback]

Linda Boxberger (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2, 2002 | Series: Suny Series in Near Eastern Studies

The social and political history of Qu'ayti and Kathiri sultanates of Hadhramawt during their gradual incorporation into the British Empire.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Offering a new perspective on a little-studied society, On the Edge of Empire examines the gradual incorporation of the Qu`ayti and Kathiri sultanates of Hadhramawt in the southern Arabian Peninsula into the British Empire during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Boxberger shows how changes in political and social institutions fostered contestation at all levels, from rivalries over territory and political power, to heated debates over religious and educational reform, to efforts to regulate wedding customs and women's dress. Based on extensive fieldwork, this ethnographic and historical narrative draws upon a wide variety of sources, including British documents and accounts; local documents, manuscripts and rare printed materials; extensive interviews with Hadhrami elders from all walks of life; and proverbs, poetry, and tribal lore. Clearly written and richly textured, this book is a welcome contribution to the study of Yemen, the historical ethnography of the Middle East, and the literature on the Islamic societies of the Indian Ocean littoral. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Linda Boxberger is an independent scholar, with extensive experience teaching and conducting research in Yemen. She received her Ph.D. in history from The University of Texas at Austin. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: State University of New York Press (May 2, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0791452182
• ISBN-13: 978-0791452189
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,648,726 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #93 in Books > History > Middle East > Yemen

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive and valuable, September 24, 2003

By 

tariq a almaashi (canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: On the Edge of Empire: Hadhramawt, Emigration, and the Indian Ocean, 1880S-1930s (S U N Y Series in Near Eastern Studies) (Paperback)

As a Hadhrami who has lived abroad for most of his life, I found "On the Edge of Empire" intriguing reading. I was overwhelmed by the amount of information presented in this historical documentation of Hadhramout. It is rarely, if not the only time, I have come across a resource that is inclusive of all the various venues of the Hadhrami society, as well as the diversity of its people.
The author apparently spent extended periods of time among Hadhramis. This was reflected in the details she presented of their social composition. She even managed to grasp the dialect and provide the reader with an accurate translation of famous and unique idioms of the period.
What impressed me the most about the book is that it established a lot of the historical events that lead to the recent social developments and political changes of Hadhramout.
I highly recommend this book to everyone interested in knowing more about this part of Southern Arabia.