Unknown Oman

by Wendell Phillips

Unknown Oman

319 pages, Hardcover

First published October 28, 1972

About the author

Archaeologist and founder of the American Foundation For The Study of Man

Reviews

[Brian Griffith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This old classic from the 1960s is entertaining and filled with interesting insights. In the course of uncovering evidence of ancient civilizations, Phillips records his encounters with ancient Arabian traditions. Despite the reported saying of Muhammad that “the seeking of knowledge is compulsory for every Muslim man and woman” (Mustadrak al-Wasa’il, tradition 21), Phillips's male informants explain the lingering fear that if women could read and write, they would be able to receive and send messages independently, or secretly. As an Arab man put it, “if one of my wives learned to write—she might write to someone who was not her husband” (p. 140). All told, it's a fascinating look into Omani society before the onset of the modern economy.

[Fathi Al-Bulushi · Rating 1 out of 5]

الكتاب يقبع بين المذكرات اليومية وأدب الرحلات وشي من التاريخ . لا أعلم إن كانت الترجمة هي سبب ركاكة وسطحية الكتاب أم ذلك شأن المؤلف في أمره .