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Yemen Chronicle: An Anthropology of War and Mediation
A report like no other from the heart of the Arab Middle East
In 1979, Steven C. Caton went to a remote area of Yemen to do fieldwork on the famous oral poetry of its tribes. The recent hostage crisis in Iran made life perilous for a young American in the Middle East; worse, he was soon embroiled in a dangerous local conflict. Yemen Chronicle is Caton's touchingly candid acount of the extraordinary events that ensued.
One day a neighboring sheikh came angrily to the sanctuary village where Caton lived, claiming that a man there had abducted his daughter and another girl. This was cause for war, and even though the culprit was captured and mediation efforts launched, tribal hostilities simmered for months. A man who was helping to resolve the dispute befriended Caton, showing him how the poems recited by the belligerents were connected to larger Arab conflicts and giving him refuge when the sanctuary was attacked. Then, unexpectedly, Caton himself was arrested and jailed for being an American spy.
It was 2001 before Caton could return toYemen to untangle the story of why he had been imprisoned and what had happened to the missing girls. Placing his contradictory experiences in their full context, Yemen Chronicle is not only an invaluable assessment of classical ethnographic procedures but also a profound meditation on the political, cultural, and sexual components of modern Arab culture.
In 1979, Steven C. Caton went to a remote area of Yemen to do fieldwork on the famous oral poetry of its tribes. The recent hostage crisis in Iran made life perilous for a young American in the Middle East; worse, he was soon embroiled in a dangerous local conflict. Yemen Chronicle is Caton's touchingly candid acount of the extraordinary events that ensued.
One day a neighboring sheikh came angrily to the sanctuary village where Caton lived, claiming that a man there had abducted his daughter and another girl. This was cause for war, and even though the culprit was captured and mediation efforts launched, tribal hostilities simmered for months. A man who was helping to resolve the dispute befriended Caton, showing him how the poems recited by the belligerents were connected to larger Arab conflicts and giving him refuge when the sanctuary was attacked. Then, unexpectedly, Caton himself was arrested and jailed for being an American spy.
It was 2001 before Caton could return toYemen to untangle the story of why he had been imprisoned and what had happened to the missing girls. Placing his contradictory experiences in their full context, Yemen Chronicle is not only an invaluable assessment of classical ethnographic procedures but also a profound meditation on the political, cultural, and sexual components of modern Arab culture.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published October 12, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 2, 2017
The Poetry of Conflict and Me
A few years ago I read Steven Caton's "Peaks of Yemen, I Summon" and thought that it was a fabulously intelligent and well-done study which depicted the role of poetry in conflict resolution in Yemeni society. I remarked in my review that it would behoove our politicians, who are making decisions that affect both Yemen and America, to read the book and ponder its significance for their decisions. I had little hope that this would actually happen. When you read such books as Caton's and Paul Dresch's history and then read the newspaper accounts of events, or of US government policies, you can only despair. The present volume doesn't present such a wide picture of Yemen's society or politics, but rather places the anthropologist in his chosen research site and gives a wonderful picture of day-to-day Yemen. It is a study, if you wish, of "how it was done" and as an anthropologist who has done several bouts of field work, I may say that Caton's work was done with a great deal of difficulty. Yemen was never going to be easy given America's behavior in the Middle East and the complex conflicts in that once-remote nation. You may read "Peaks" first or this one, but they are each enriched by the other.
Not many anthropologists write the story of their research lives, but a few have. I am thinking of David Maybury-Lewis and "The Savage and the Innocent", of Hortense Powdermaker's "Stranger and Friend", and perhaps Paul Rabinow's "Reflections on Fieldwork in Morocco". Then you might look at Margaret Mead's works and Malinowski's diaries, but they are more just thoughts put down while doing the work (latter) or carefully crafted later on (former). In recent decades it has become the fashion (if not obligatory) for the anthropologist to put herself/himself into the picture. Some engage in this pursuit more than others. What struck me most about YEMEN CHRONICLE was the utter, stunning honesty of the book. Revealing one's most grimy thoughts or petulant moments of jealousy (to chose just a couple things) is not easy. But, yes, that was you. Most people would cover such things up forever while Caton writes them down. He says, "In writing this ethno-memoir I have wanted to bring [the narratives of my diary entries and field notes] in closer proximity to each other, hoping they will interact and produce something other and greater than either or both of them alone."(p.135) While telling the story of a complex quarrel between tribal society and a village inhabited by descendants of the Prophet, a quarrel that begins with a possible kidnapping of two girls and escalates into several gun battles and a standoff that attracts participation from the highest levels in the capital, Caton describes his efforts to collect poetry, to get to know the poets, and understand the process by which justice is or isn't done in Yemen, a process of arbitration that involves poetry. Everything is murky, nothing is what it seems, he gets involved over his head, winds up in jail for a short time, and can't really continue his work. His informants are friendly---or are they? He doesn't know whom to trust in many cases. The Yemenis come out as very human, very engaging. To emerge at last with not only one good book, but two, well, I have to hand it to Steven C. Caton. If you want to know more about Yemen, read "Peaks of Yemen, I Summon". If you want to know more about the process of how such books are created, the atmosphere of daily life for an anthropologist, especially when research must be done in a chaotic environment, read YEMEN CHRONICLE. If you are an anthropology teacher at some level, you could do much worse than to assign it to students.
A few years ago I read Steven Caton's "Peaks of Yemen, I Summon" and thought that it was a fabulously intelligent and well-done study which depicted the role of poetry in conflict resolution in Yemeni society. I remarked in my review that it would behoove our politicians, who are making decisions that affect both Yemen and America, to read the book and ponder its significance for their decisions. I had little hope that this would actually happen. When you read such books as Caton's and Paul Dresch's history and then read the newspaper accounts of events, or of US government policies, you can only despair. The present volume doesn't present such a wide picture of Yemen's society or politics, but rather places the anthropologist in his chosen research site and gives a wonderful picture of day-to-day Yemen. It is a study, if you wish, of "how it was done" and as an anthropologist who has done several bouts of field work, I may say that Caton's work was done with a great deal of difficulty. Yemen was never going to be easy given America's behavior in the Middle East and the complex conflicts in that once-remote nation. You may read "Peaks" first or this one, but they are each enriched by the other.
Not many anthropologists write the story of their research lives, but a few have. I am thinking of David Maybury-Lewis and "The Savage and the Innocent", of Hortense Powdermaker's "Stranger and Friend", and perhaps Paul Rabinow's "Reflections on Fieldwork in Morocco". Then you might look at Margaret Mead's works and Malinowski's diaries, but they are more just thoughts put down while doing the work (latter) or carefully crafted later on (former). In recent decades it has become the fashion (if not obligatory) for the anthropologist to put herself/himself into the picture. Some engage in this pursuit more than others. What struck me most about YEMEN CHRONICLE was the utter, stunning honesty of the book. Revealing one's most grimy thoughts or petulant moments of jealousy (to chose just a couple things) is not easy. But, yes, that was you. Most people would cover such things up forever while Caton writes them down. He says, "In writing this ethno-memoir I have wanted to bring [the narratives of my diary entries and field notes] in closer proximity to each other, hoping they will interact and produce something other and greater than either or both of them alone."(p.135) While telling the story of a complex quarrel between tribal society and a village inhabited by descendants of the Prophet, a quarrel that begins with a possible kidnapping of two girls and escalates into several gun battles and a standoff that attracts participation from the highest levels in the capital, Caton describes his efforts to collect poetry, to get to know the poets, and understand the process by which justice is or isn't done in Yemen, a process of arbitration that involves poetry. Everything is murky, nothing is what it seems, he gets involved over his head, winds up in jail for a short time, and can't really continue his work. His informants are friendly---or are they? He doesn't know whom to trust in many cases. The Yemenis come out as very human, very engaging. To emerge at last with not only one good book, but two, well, I have to hand it to Steven C. Caton. If you want to know more about Yemen, read "Peaks of Yemen, I Summon". If you want to know more about the process of how such books are created, the atmosphere of daily life for an anthropologist, especially when research must be done in a chaotic environment, read YEMEN CHRONICLE. If you are an anthropology teacher at some level, you could do much worse than to assign it to students.
March 4, 2019
Stephen C. Caton journeyed to North Yemen in the late seventies to do his dissertation field work on tribal poetry recited by men. This is not an account of that anthropological work but a remembrance of that earlier trip, followed by another in the early 2000s. That allows for some decidedly un-anthropologist-like commentary, some of it a bit strange, but a lot of it affecting. Caton leaves vivid impressions of the men he met, being of course able to converse with women only very occasionally and for short durations. He occasionally upbraids himself for being, as he puts it, asinine. The poetry itself is marvelous in that florid, demonstrative way that Arabic oral verse can be. Some of it is improvised and there's clearly a bit hip-hop like argumentation and one-upmanship going on.
During his original stay, Caton was witness to conflict, with the abduction of two young girls from one group by a young man of another's. That gives the book a tension unusual in anthropology, as truces under negotiation are punctuated by killing and Caton attracts the attention of the security services that kidnap and briefly imprison him.
Caton's return to a unified Yemen (sadly, no longer existent) is bittersweet. The old men he knew are dead, young men are middle-aged (if not dead), boys are men. He is welcomed by men he knew and some he didn't, although at that point it took approvals from the Governor and the security chief to travel to the region, but there is a sadness, perhaps inevitable, in these cases about promises to communicate and perhaps help with visas that are not kept. The deeper sadness is of course Yemen's fate, pinned between the Horn of Africa and the Saudis. One cannot imagine that he will be able to return anytime soon.
During his original stay, Caton was witness to conflict, with the abduction of two young girls from one group by a young man of another's. That gives the book a tension unusual in anthropology, as truces under negotiation are punctuated by killing and Caton attracts the attention of the security services that kidnap and briefly imprison him.
Caton's return to a unified Yemen (sadly, no longer existent) is bittersweet. The old men he knew are dead, young men are middle-aged (if not dead), boys are men. He is welcomed by men he knew and some he didn't, although at that point it took approvals from the Governor and the security chief to travel to the region, but there is a sadness, perhaps inevitable, in these cases about promises to communicate and perhaps help with visas that are not kept. The deeper sadness is of course Yemen's fate, pinned between the Horn of Africa and the Saudis. One cannot imagine that he will be able to return anytime soon.
November 18, 2007
I had hoped to learn more about Yemen through the firsthand experiences of a cultural anthropologist. What this book is, is a rather odd mix of personal reminiscenses (in a halfway embarrassed/apologetic tone at that) spliced together with sections that sound more like reports on his fieldwork. It seems to be a mix of his dissertation with his diary.
Certainly, there are interesting things to be learned, but the scope of the work was much narrower than the title led me to believe, and while I ended up feeling I had some insights into the author, I'm not sure I really have much more insight into Yemeni life.
Certainly, there are interesting things to be learned, but the scope of the work was much narrower than the title led me to believe, and while I ended up feeling I had some insights into the author, I'm not sure I really have much more insight into Yemeni life.
January 31, 2013
Of all the books I have read on Yemen, Caton's is the best blend of scholarly and readable. While I very much prefer Tim Mackintosh-Smith, his works are not very big on scholarship, which is not surprising as I doubt that was his aim. I would have preferred to have rad Caton's work had he written it 6 years sooner. That way it would have been purely about Yemen without the political overtones. Alas, I suspect it was those overtones that got the book written and published at all. Still and all, worth a read.
July 8, 2024
Steven Caton's "Yemen Chronicle: An Anthropology of War and Mediation" transcends the typical war chronicle. It's a captivating tapestry woven from personal experience, anthropological fieldwork, and insightful analysis. Caton offers a unique window into a hidden conflict – the Yemeni war of the late 1970s and early 1980s.
The book's strength lies in Caton's immersive experience. A young anthropologist, he plunges himself into the heart of Yemeni society, living within a tribal sanctuary. This firsthand immersion allows him to witness the complexities of tribal life, the intricate honor codes that govern it, and the devastating impact of war on individuals, families, and entire communities. "Yemen Chronicle" goes beyond the impersonal statistics and news reports, painting a poignant picture of the emotional toll the conflict takes on people caught in the crossfire.
One of the book's most fascinating aspects is its exploration of traditional Yemeni conflict mediation through poetry. Caton delves into the power of oral poetry in negotiations, highlighting its ability to express grievances, propose solutions, and ultimately restore peace. This unique perspective sheds light on the significance of language and cultural traditions in conflict resolution.
However, "Yemen Chronicle" isn't solely focused on Yemen. It delves into the challenges and rewards of anthropological research, particularly in a volatile environment. Caton reflects on the difficulties of cultural immersion, the inevitable misunderstandings that arise, and the ethical dilemmas faced while navigating a war zone. This introspective layer adds depth to the narrative, allowing readers to appreciate the complexities of anthropological fieldwork.
While the book's focus on a specific period in Yemeni history might leave readers seeking a broader historical context wanting, Caton's engaging writing style more than compensates. His vivid storytelling brings the sights, sounds, and emotions of Yemeni life to life, making the reader feel transported to the heart of the conflict.
"Yemen Chronicle" is a compelling read for anyone interested in the anthropology of war, conflict resolution, and the intricacies of Yemeni society. Caton's insightful analysis and captivating storytelling offer a valuable window into a hidden conflict and the enduring human spirit in the face of adversity. This book is a must-read for anthropologists, students of conflict resolution, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the human cost of war.
The book's strength lies in Caton's immersive experience. A young anthropologist, he plunges himself into the heart of Yemeni society, living within a tribal sanctuary. This firsthand immersion allows him to witness the complexities of tribal life, the intricate honor codes that govern it, and the devastating impact of war on individuals, families, and entire communities. "Yemen Chronicle" goes beyond the impersonal statistics and news reports, painting a poignant picture of the emotional toll the conflict takes on people caught in the crossfire.
One of the book's most fascinating aspects is its exploration of traditional Yemeni conflict mediation through poetry. Caton delves into the power of oral poetry in negotiations, highlighting its ability to express grievances, propose solutions, and ultimately restore peace. This unique perspective sheds light on the significance of language and cultural traditions in conflict resolution.
However, "Yemen Chronicle" isn't solely focused on Yemen. It delves into the challenges and rewards of anthropological research, particularly in a volatile environment. Caton reflects on the difficulties of cultural immersion, the inevitable misunderstandings that arise, and the ethical dilemmas faced while navigating a war zone. This introspective layer adds depth to the narrative, allowing readers to appreciate the complexities of anthropological fieldwork.
While the book's focus on a specific period in Yemeni history might leave readers seeking a broader historical context wanting, Caton's engaging writing style more than compensates. His vivid storytelling brings the sights, sounds, and emotions of Yemeni life to life, making the reader feel transported to the heart of the conflict.
"Yemen Chronicle" is a compelling read for anyone interested in the anthropology of war, conflict resolution, and the intricacies of Yemeni society. Caton's insightful analysis and captivating storytelling offer a valuable window into a hidden conflict and the enduring human spirit in the face of adversity. This book is a must-read for anthropologists, students of conflict resolution, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the human cost of war.
April 22, 2018
Read in Yemen. Was good
October 27, 2015
What troubles me most when men author adventure and travel books (although this particular writing includes the author's research of Islamic and Arabian poetry), is the lack of "personal touch". We don't really get to know the people in the same way as when women write books of this kind and that is a great loss. I hesitated to make this observation a gender shortcoming (but I only hesitated a moment).
And as I'm not interested in poetry at all, this made the point of the book a moot one for me. Barring this predicament I was hoping for more "color" and experience, of which there was way too little.
And as I'm not interested in poetry at all, this made the point of the book a moot one for me. Barring this predicament I was hoping for more "color" and experience, of which there was way too little.
July 12, 2007
It's an interesting book and clearly written but sometimes the author is a little too superfluous about personal conversations or events.
Now that I've finished it... I do not trust the authors text. It presents itself as being real, but I think some of it may have been edited to the author's favor. Read it and you'll know what I mean. Could it be residual guilt? I don't know, but I do not think he's being totally honest.
Now that I've finished it... I do not trust the authors text. It presents itself as being real, but I think some of it may have been edited to the author's favor. Read it and you'll know what I mean. Could it be residual guilt? I don't know, but I do not think he's being totally honest.
May 19, 2010
This got a bit tedious in the middle - all the ins and outs of a complicated conflict - but on the whole a fascinating insight into Yemeni culture, including a very different role for poetry than I know as an American. The author is an anthropologist sometimes more concerned with his field than I am, but I liked it very much. It gave me new ways of thinking about the Middle East and its desert cultures - always a good thing amidst the simplicities of mainstream news stories in this country.
October 1, 2014
in 1979 the young American author, an anthropologist, did extensive fieldwork on the oral poetry of the tribes of Yemen. Living in a remote area of Yemen & traveling between villages he was soon embroiled in a dangerous local conflict which continued for months. Excellent book.
January 8, 2013
Read this book to gain an understanding of Yemen history and Arab culture.
January 5, 2015
Good read, but I actually wish I knew more about Yemen before reading this book.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews