In this first full-scale ethnographic study of Yemeni tribal poetry, Steven Caton reveals an astonishingly rich folkloric system where poetry is both a creation of art and a political and social act. Almost always spoken or chanted, Yemeni tribal poetry is cast in an idiom considered colloquial and "ungrammatical," yet admired for its wit and spontaneity. In Yemeni society, the poet has power over people. By eloquence the poet can stir or, if his poetic talents are truly outstanding, motivate an audience to do his bidding. ...
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In this first full-scale ethnographic study of Yemeni tribal poetry, Steven Caton reveals an astonishingly rich folkloric system where poetry is both a creation of art and a political and social act. Almost always spoken or chanted, Yemeni tribal poetry is cast in an idiom considered colloquial and "ungrammatical," yet admired for its wit and spontaneity. In Yemeni society, the poet has power over people. By eloquence the poet can stir or, if his poetic talents are truly outstanding, motivate an audience to do his bidding. Yemeni tribesmen think, in fact, that poetry's transformative effect is too essential not to use for pressing public issues.Drawing on his three years of field research in North Yemen, Caton illustrates the significance of poetry in Yemeni society by analyzing three verse genres and their use in weddings, war mediations, and political discourse on the state. Moreover, Caton provides the first anthropology of poetics. Challenging Western cultural assumptions that political poetry can rarely rise above doggerel, Caton develops a model of poetry as cultural practice. To compose a poem is to construct oneself as a peacemaker, as a warrior, as a Muslim. Thus the poet engages in constitutive social practice. Because of its highly interdisciplinary approach, this book will interest a wide range of readers including anthropologists, linguists, folklorists, literary critics, and scholars of Middle Eastern society, language, and culture.
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Add this copy of "Peaks of Yemen I Summon": Poetry as Cultural Practice to cart. $20.00, very good condition, Sold by BookHouse On-Line rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Minneapolis, MN, UNITED STATES, published 1990 by University of California Press.
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Seller's Description:
Very Good. Very Good Dust Jacket. NOT ex-library. Very good hardcover in very good dust jacket. Binding is tight and sturdy. Previous owner's inscription on front endpaper, date stamped on rear pastedown, otherwise text very good. Rear endpaper has an abrasion, otherwise shelfwear is very minor. 1st printing, with complete number line. Ships from Dinkytown in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Add this copy of "Peaks of Yemen I Summon": Poetry as Cultural Practice to cart. $42.28, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 1990 by University of California Press.
Add this copy of Peaks of Yemen I Summon: Poetry as Cultural Practice in to cart. $52.75, very good condition, Sold by Pistil Books Online rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Seattle, WA, UNITED STATES, published 1990 by University of California Press.
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Very Good in Very Good jacket. Anthropology/Sociology A clean, unmarked book with a tight binding. Full dark blue cloth boards. Previous owner's name has been whited out on front endpaper. Edge wear to dust jacket. 350 pages.
Add this copy of "Peaks of Yemen I Summon": Poetry as Cultural Practice to cart. $87.05, new condition, Sold by GridFreed rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from North Las Vegas, NV, UNITED STATES, published 1990 by University of California Press.
