Arab Society in the Time of The Thousand and One Nights
Elaborate, explanatory notes from the author's 1859 translation of the Arabian Nights comprise a virtual encyclopedia of Middle Eastern life. Intriguing account of Islamic society as it existed during the Middle Ages considers importance of religion, literature, festivals, education, slavery, role of women in society, and rituals observed for the dead.
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In his 1859 translation of Thousand and One Nights, Lane (1801- 76) includes extensive notes that often began short essays. At the second printing, Stanley Lane-Poole compiled those notes, edited out those discussing the text itself, arranged the rest into topical chapters, and produced an index. It was published in 1883 as Arabian Society in the Middle Ages: Studies from the Thousand and One Nights by Chatto and Windus, London. Robert F. Burton complained that Lane's translation left out all the juicy bits, but drew on his notes for commentary on his own translation. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
Chapter I.Religion1Articles of FaithPredestinationRitual and Moral Laws: prayer, almsgiving, fasting, pilgrimage, etc.Civil Laws: marriage, divorce, inheritance, manumissionCriminal Laws: murder, retaliation, theft, etc.Religious FestivalsChapter II.Demonology25Angels and Jinn (Genii)Various kinds of JinnPreadamite JinnHistory of IbleesLong life of the Jinn and manner of death; assumed shapesA Jinneeyeh wifeSpirits of the whirlwind and waterspoutAbodes of the JinnSolomon's power over themGhools and other inferior ordersChapter III.Saints47Welees and their KutbsEl-Khidr and EliasMiraclesInfluenceSelf-denial and asceticismTwo authentic saintsGeneral habitsA historical saintPilgrimage to the tombsAnnual festivalsA Zikr performed by DarweeshesA KhatmehReligious murderChapter IV.Magic80Spiritual magic, divine or satanicBabelHaroot and MarootEnchantmentDivinationAstrologyGeomancyAugurationChiromancyOmensDreamsA dream of the Great Plague, 1835Lucky and unlucky daysNatural magicAlchymyThemagician Sadoomeh and his miraclesChapter V.Cosmography97The seven HeavensParadiseForm and divisions of the earthThe Sea of DarknessFountain of LifeMountains of KafThe lower earthsWhat the earth stands onThe stages of HellChapter VI.Literature109The Heroic Age'OkadhThe Kur-anThe Middle AgeCorrupt dialects'Abd-el-MelikHaroon Er-Rasheed and Abu-l'AtahiyehThe BarmekeesDresses of honourTwo items in Haroon's account bookRewards to poetsHammad's good fortuneReception of Greek ambassadors by a KhaleefehA niggardly king outwittedThe decline of Arabian literatureLettersThe language of flowers, and emblematical conversationSecret signsEl-Mutanebbee's warningThe language of birds and beastsChapter VII.Feasting and Merrymaking135Muslim meals and mode of eatingPrincipal dishesA typical feastPublic dinnersClean and unclean meatsDrinksHospitalityBread and saltA thief thwartedAn Arabian roomA hall or saloonThe use of wineDate wine, etc.Prevalence of the habit of drinking wine in the present day and in historyA bout interruptedModerate drinkingEffects of wine'Abd-el-Melik and his slavePreparations for a banquetFruitsA rose-loverFavourite flowersMusicIbraheem El-Mosilee and Haroon Er-RasheedIshak El-MosileeMukharikPerformersUnveiled women singersArab musicLyric songsOther amusementsThe BathHunting and hawkingChapter VIII.Childhood and Education186Ceremonies at birth, and on the seventh dayGiving the nameSacrificeShaving the headSucklingCare of childrenEvil eyeRespect for parentsThe future state of children who die youngEarly education of the fatherCircumcisionSchools and teachingPrivate tuitionEducation of girlsArab characterChapter IX.Women207Love among ArabsThree tales of true loveUmm-'AmrThe ideal of beautyCoiffureGaitWoman's counselMarriage and divorceLaws and general habitsChoice of a wifeProhibited degreesCousins preferredAgesA wife's qualificationsDowryMarriage contractFestivities and ceremonies of marriageWedding horoscopesEmployment of the hareemPolygamy and the Muslim social system in generalAffection between wivesChapter X.Slavery250Conditions, rights, and disabilities of slavesEmancipationWhite slavesTreatmentThe Prophet's injunctions'Othman's compunctionJaafar's wifeChapter XI.Ceremonies of death258Last dutiesWashingGrave-clothesFuneralSacrificeBiersThe tombPreparing for the examining angelsVisits to the graveState of the soul between death and the resurrectionThe Well of BarahootIndex267Authors and Works referened to281
