Performing Islam: Gender and Ritual in Iran (Women and Gender: the Middle East and the Islamic World) (Women and Gender: the Middle East and the Islamic World)

"Performing Islam" describes and analyses a wide range of ritual activities marking, at times starkly contrasting, religious anniversaries and life course events in Iran today. Arguing that ritual performances in Iran are powerful forums where ideas develop, and where rules, symbols and discourses are contested, the volume elucidates social, cultural and political processes, but in particular the values and beliefs underpinning gender constructions in a rapidly changing complex society. Examining the ambiguous and metaphorical language of the rituals, the study reveals how gender ideologies are projected and renewed, but also challenged, destabilized and ridiculed, providing possibilities of self-expression, innovation and incremental change in the gender constructs. Central to the analyses are questions about the dynamics of gender performance as products of power and politics not simply of meaning or culture. Performing Islam takes as its main focus the rich array of ceremonial activities that shape and inform the lives of circles of women in south Tehran. Based on anthropological fieldwork, the book describes and analyses rituals that mark religious anniversaries and life course events in Iran today. Arguing that the ritual performances are powerful forums where ideas develop, and where rules, symbols and discourses are contested, this book discusses the values and beliefs underpinning gender constructions in a rapidly changing and complex society. The ambiguous metaphorical language of the rituals is examined, revealing how gender ideologies are projected and renewed, but also challenged, destabilized and ridiculed. Thus the rituals provide possibilities for self-expression, innovation and incremental change. This study goes beyond questions of meaning and culture to interrogate the dynamics of gender performance as products of power and politics. Performing Islam Takes As Its Main Focus The Rich Array Of Ceremonial Activities That Shape And Inform The Lives Of Circles Of Women In South Tehran. Based On Anthropological Fieldwork, The Book Describes And Analyses Rituals That Mark Religious Anniversaries And Life Course Events In Iran Today. Arguing That The Ritual Performances Are Powerful Forums Where Ideas Develop, And Where Rules, Symbols And Discourses Are Contested, This Book Discusses The Values And Beliefs Underpinning Gender Constructions In A Rapidly Changing And Complex Society.--jacket. Introduction ---- 1. Blurring Boundaries --- 2. Women's Caring Labour --- 3. A Well-adjusted Misfit --- 4. The Morality Of Self-interested Exchange --- 5. Rites Of Masculinity --- 6. Girls' 'initiation' Ritual --- 7. Reversal And Licence --- 8. The Head And Heart Tangle ---- Conclusion. By Azam Torab. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [261]-280) And Indexes. Analyses a wide range of ritual activities marking, at times starkly contrasting, religious anniversaries and life course events in Iran. Arguing that ritual performances in Iran are powerful forums where ideas develop, and where rules, symbols and discourses are contested, this volume clarifies social, cultural and political processes Performing Islam focuses on a wide spectrum of ritual activities in Iran today as a key for elucidating social, cultural and political processes, but in particular the values and beliefs underpinning gender constructions in a rapidly changing complex society.