Community and Autonomy in Southern Oman

Dedication.

Acknowledgements.

Preface.

The Impetus for Writing

This Book                  

My Three Worlds

References

Chapter 1:  Language, Culture, Methodology and Literature Review.

Introduction

Gibali Language

The Culture/not Culture Argument

My Research/ Gibali Language

Methodology 

Representation/Reciprocation

Self-monitoring - Synder

Moral imagination - Bromwich

Literature Review

Overview

Anthropology

Other Texts

Writing on Men and Women in Arabia     

References

Chapter 2:  Situating Gibalis: Governance, History, Religion and Tribes.

Macro- Issues: History and Geography

Brief Overview of Omani History

Dhofar Coast - Early History

Dhofar - Modern History

Overview of Dhofar War (1965-1975)

The Dhofari View

Arab Spring, 2011

The Arab Spring in Dhofar

Recent views of the Omani Government

Macro-issues: Governance

Hakuma - External Politics

Hakuma - Sultan Qaboos

Hakuma - Majlis Oman

Hakuma - Laws

Religious Openness

Religion and Time - Daily/ Weekly/ Monthly/ Yearly

Religion and Public Performance

Religion and Private Beliefs

Macro-Issues: Tribes

Overview

Tribes - Sheikhs

Tribes in Dhofar - Divisions

"The Quality of the Bearable"

Gibalis -  Population

Overview of Gibali Life

Gibali - Hakli

Dhofar as Compared to Neighbors    

Non-Omanis in Dhofar

References

Chapter 3: Community/Autonomy in Daily Life: People and Places

Introduction

Hypothetical Typical Day

Differences Between Town and Mountain Life

Leveling

Care Circles - Personal/ Communal Control of Time

Care Circles - "Good"/ "Pressure"

Community/ Autonomy - Cycle of Life

Overview of Childhood - Growing Up - Aging

Childhood - Socializing

Childhood - Attention

Gibali Childhood

Growing Up

Aging

The Religious Implications of Community/ Autonomy

Quality of the Bearable - Carrying

Quality of the Bearable - Letting Go

Hasanat

Community/ Autonomy - Houses

Houses - Town

Gibali Houses

House -  From Public to Private/ From Private to Public

Gibali Clothing

Clothing and Religious Faith

Community/ Autonomy - Public Spaces

Banks - Women in Public Spaces

Stores - Care Circles

Restaurants - Communal Culture/ Patience

Cafes - Rules of Greeting

Village/ Mountain/ Beach Cafes

Women in Cafes

References

Chapter 4:  Community/Autonomy in Daily Life: Practices and Perceptions.

Introduction

Community/ Autonomy - Daily Practices

Talking on Phones

Driving

Fishing

Finding a Marriage Partner

Community/ Autonomy: Spontaneity

Community/ Autonomy: Mobility

Community/ Autonomy: Authority

Community/ Autonomy: Conversation

Community/ Autonomy: Knowledge

Community/ Autonomy: Oath-Taking

W-Allah 

Other Kinds of Swearing

Community/ Autonomy: Fatalism

Note on Vocabulary

References

Chapter 5: Community/Autonomy: Honor and Self-Respect.

Independence and Honor in Motion

Live and Let Live

Self-Respect = Self-Control

Self-Control: Putting Others at Ease

Self-Control: Not Showing Fear

Community/ Autonomy: Dealing with Rudeness

Judging Intentionality

Reacting to Rudeness

"No One Insults Me": The Circular Reasoning of Self-Control/ Self-Respect

Teaching Self-Control/ Self-Respect

The Final Punishment

References

Chapter 6: "Why Would I Hurt a Woman?": The Absence of Honor Killing in Gibali Culture.

Introduction - Gathering Knowledge on Gibali Male/ Female Interactions

Interacting with Gibali Men

Interacting with Gibali Women

Highlighting Independence - Comparison with Yemen

Honor Killing - Historical Background

Centrality of Self-Respect and Autonomy

The Absence of Honor Killing in Gibali Culture: An "Independent Spirit"

Note on Vocabulary 

References

Chapter 7: Generosity and Gifts in Gibali Culture.

Introduction

Gifts - Definition

Non-gifts - Tangible

Wedding Money

Mutual Possessions

Non-Gifts - Intangible

Asking for a Gift

Accepting

Pay-back

Generosity - Comparisons

Generosity, Gifts and Independence

References

Coda.