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Calligraphic State

Textual Domination and History in a Muslim Society

Bibliographic Data

ID19600596
EditorsBrinkley Messick
Year1993
Pages324
Publication date1993-12-31
Open AccessNo
TypeBOOK
VenueCalligraphic State (SOURCE_BOOK)
PublisherUniversity of California Press (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1525/9780520917828
OpenAlexW4389386787
Open LibraryOL29603280M
ISBN9780520917828
LanguageEN
Citations received410

In this innovative combination of anthropology, history, and postmodern theory, Brinkley Messick examines the changing relation of writing and authority in a Muslim society from the late nineteenth century to the present. The creation and interpretation of texts, from sacred scriptures to administrative and legal contracts, are among the fundamental ways that authority is established and maintained in a complex state. Yet few scholars have explored this process and the ways in which it changes, especially outside the Western world. Messick brings together intensive ethnography and textual analysis from a wealth of material: Islamic jurisprudence, Yemeni histories, local documents. In exploring the structure and transformation of literacy, law, and statecraft in Yemen, he raises important issues that are of comparative significance for understanding political life in other Muslim and nonwestern states as well

Computer graphics (images) · Programming language · State (computer science) · Computer Science · Global Maritime and Colonial Histories · Islamic Studies and History · Middle East and Rwanda Conflicts · 20th century · Arabic Diplomatics · Arabic Manuscripts · Civilization · Diplomatics · History · Islam · Islamic civilization · Islamic law · Public opinion · Yemen

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Unique citing works313
Citations per year11,71
Citation span1991 - 2026 (36)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedYes
Citation typesNeutral: 394
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