Culture and Customs of the Palestinians - (Culture and Customs of the Middle East) by Samih K Farsoun (Hardcover)

About the Book

The Palestinians have been at the center of Middle Eastern and world history for nearly a century. The core issues of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict are still the ones that emerged in 1948, after what Palestinians term al-Nakba, the destruction of historical Palestine and the dispossession and expulsion of its people. At the center of this vortex of politics, diplomacy, oppression, resistance, and struggle are the Palestinians. The Palestinians are an ancient Arab people, with both Islamic and Christian adherents, and their traditional culture and present way of life under difficult conditions are greatly illuminated for students and general readers.

A clear historical overview of Palestine, the diaspora, and the conflict is provided, and the history colors the rest of the narrative, addressing crucial aspects of Palestinian society. Palestinians struggle to retain their traditions. Their modern social structure, values, social customs, and life, including education, in villages, refugee camps, and cities are covered. The importance of extended family and women's roles in a continuing patriarchy are also addressed. The famed Palestinian embroidery and typical food dishes are celebrated. Chapters on modern literature and the arts and cinema stress the artistic focus on the conflict with Israel. A helpful timeline, copious bibliography, and glossary round out the coverage.

Book Synopsis

The Palestinians have been at the center of Middle Eastern and world history for nearly a century. The core issues of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict are still the ones that emerged in 1948, after what Palestinians term al-Nakba, the destruction of historical Palestine and the dispossession and expulsion of its people. At the center of this vortex of politics, diplomacy, oppression, resistance, and struggle are the Palestinians. The Palestinians are an ancient Arab people, with both Islamic and Christian adherents, and their traditional culture and present way of life under difficult conditions are greatly illuminated for students and general readers.

A clear historical overview of Palestine, the diaspora, and the conflict is provided, and the history colors the rest of the narrative, addressing crucial aspects of Palestinian society. Palestinians struggle to retain their traditions. Their modern social structure, values, social customs, and life, including education, in villages, refugee camps, and cities are covered. The importance of extended family and women's roles in a continuing patriarchy are also addressed. The famed Palestinian embroidery and typical food dishes are celebrated. Chapters on modern literature and the arts and cinema stress the artistic focus on the conflict with Israel. A helpful timeline, copious bibliography, and glossary round out the coverage.

Review Quotes

"Farsoun provides a general overview for students and general readers of the culture and customs of the Palestinians, set in the historical context of their defining experience al-Nakba, Arabic for "catastrophe," the word they use to identify and describe the traumatic experience of the destruction of their society in 1948 and the dispossession and expulsion of most of its people as stateless refugees. Coverage includes an historical overview of Palestine and the Palestinians; society and customs; gender, marriage, and family; traditional dress and cuisine; religion and religious customs; literature; and visual and performing arts, and cinema. The text is supplemented with a chronology and glossary."-Art Book News Annual

?[P]rovides a panoramic view of Palestinian society and culture, with chapters on the arts, literature, and religion, in addition to the more standard chapters on history, the family, gender relations, and customs. In this sense, it is a handy guide to the general reader, written from a sympathetic point of view. It fills an important gap in the general literature on Palestinie, especially since it goes beyond the narrow focus on politics that characterizes many works.?-Middle East Journal

?[S]hould be interesting to those wholly unfamiliar with Palestinians and the region in general. Also useful for those becoming acquainted with Palestine through this book will be the Chronology, Glossary, and Bibliography.?-Journal of Palestine Studies

?Farsoun provides a general overview for students and general readers of the culture and customs of the Palestinians, set in the historical context of their defining experience al-Nakba, Arabic for "catastrophe," the word they use to identify and describe the traumatic experience of the destruction of their society in 1948 and the dispossession and expulsion of most of its people as stateless refugees. Coverage includes an historical overview of Palestine and the Palestinians; society and customs; gender, marriage, and family; traditional dress and cuisine; religion and religious customs; literature; and visual and performing arts, and cinema. The text is supplemented with a chronology and glossary.?-Art Book News Annual

?This series is appropriate for students in middle school through college and general readers. It provides information on countries in diverse regions and is written by experts in each region.?-Multicultural Review

"ÝP¨rovides a panoramic view of Palestinian society and culture, with chapters on the arts, literature, and religion, in addition to the more standard chapters on history, the family, gender relations, and customs. In this sense, it is a handy guide to the general reader, written from a sympathetic point of view. It fills an important gap in the general literature on Palestinie, especially since it goes beyond the narrow focus on politics that characterizes many works."-Middle East Journal

"ÝS¨hould be interesting to those wholly unfamiliar with Palestinians and the region in general. Also useful for those becoming acquainted with Palestine through this book will be the Chronology, Glossary, and Bibliography."-Journal of Palestine Studies

"This series is appropriate for students in middle school through college and general readers. It provides information on countries in diverse regions and is written by experts in each region."-Multicultural Review

"[S]hould be interesting to those wholly unfamiliar with Palestinians and the region in general. Also useful for those becoming acquainted with Palestine through this book will be the Chronology, Glossary, and Bibliography."-Journal of Palestine Studies

"[P]rovides a panoramic view of Palestinian society and culture, with chapters on the arts, literature, and religion, in addition to the more standard chapters on history, the family, gender relations, and customs. In this sense, it is a handy guide to the general reader, written from a sympathetic point of view. It fills an important gap in the general literature on Palestinie, especially since it goes beyond the narrow focus on politics that characterizes many works."-Middle East Journal

About the Author

SAMIH K. FARSOUN is Dean of Academic Affairs and the College of Arts and Sciences at the American University in Kuwait.