Nile Green, "Re-Thinking the 'Middle East' After the Oceanic Turn," Comparative Studies of South Asia, Africa and the Middle East 34, 3 (2014).
Ajam Podcast #17, "Framing the Indian Ocean," https://ajammc.podiant.co/e/ajam-podcast-17-framing-the-indian-ocean-37d0d443696802/.
Matthew S. Hopper, “The Globalization of Dried Fruit: Transformations in the Eastern Arabian Economy, 1860s-1920s,” in James Gelvin and Nile Green (eds.), Global Muslims in the Age of Steam and Print (Berkeley: University of California Press, 2014), 158-182.
Alex Shams, "Muscat: Where the Arab World Meets the Indian Ocean," Ajam Media Collective, August 27, 2019, https://ajammc.com/2019/08/27/muscat-arab-world-indian-ocean/.
Optional
Nelida Fuccaro, “Pearl Towns and Early Oil Cities: Migration and Integration in the Arab Coast of the Persian Gulf,” in Ulrike Freitag, Malte Fuhrmann, and Nora Lafi (eds.), The City in the Ottoman Empire: Migration and the Making of Urban Modernity (New York: Routledge, 2011), 99-116.
Ajam Podcast #16, "Persian Gulf Modernities," https://ajammc.podiant.co/e/ajam-podcast-16-persian-gulf-modernities-before-oil-37b0c9221d3522/.
The Ibis Trilogy by Amitav Ghosh
Amazing and expansive series of novels by Amitav Ghosh on the Indian Ocean world, set during the Opium Wars.
Learn a bit about the boats enabling trade and travel across the Indian Ocean littoral
In-Class
Powerpoint on Global History
لا يكفي أن يكون الله مع الفقراء / "It is Not Enough for God to be with the Poor" (Borhane Alaouié, 1976)
Mostafa's suggestion
Champ of the Camp (Mahmoud Kaabour, 2017)
For this week's readings a number of key terms have emerged in our assigned texts. Two main keywords that revolve around the central themes of the readings are the “Middle East” and the “Indian Ocean.” In our first assigned text, "Re-Thinking the 'Middle East' After the Oceanic Turn," Green imposes an essential question, what is the Middle East? Green further highlights that there are a number of critics of the Middle East. For example, Nile Green reports “the ottomanist Roderic H. Davinson (1917-1996), whose declaration was that no one knows where the Middle East is... a one size fits all approach to its geography is inevitably ineffictive” (Green 557). As discussed in our prior class it’s very crucial and important to understand the “middle east” and “western nations” when we discuss them in a particular context because it’s a term that was coined in the 20 century and it doesn’t have one definite definition, therefore, we need to be very careful when using the term. However, I’ve concluded that the Middle east was founded on geopolitical assumptions. Moreover, the middle east expands into 3 arenas ;through the Mediterranean, Inner Asia, and the Indian Ocean. However, I am a bit confused, I feel like in some readings they state that specific countries are a part of the Middle East while others disregard them to be part of the definition. I need some clarification to understand what countries are considered to be in the Middle East and what not, so I use it in the correct form.
ReplyDeleteAs discussed in Matthew S. Hopper, “The Globalization of Dried Fruit: Transformations in the Eastern Arabian Economy, 1860s-1920s,” and Alex Shams, "Muscat: Where the Arab World Meets the Indian Ocean," I’ve understood that the Indian Ocean was an essential route for trade for Middle Eastern states. Sham notes in his text that the Indian ocean was essential for Muscats trade and success. It became a central node on trade networks that crisscrossed the Indian Ocean, bringing goods like spices, ivory, cloves, wood for ship-building, and fruits as well. Muscat rebuilt its oceanic connections, deepening and strengthening commercial ties with ports across the Indian Ocean. From my understanding the Indian Ocean participated in globalization and the trade network between the Middle Eastern states, therefore, the Indian Ocean is paramount in understanding the transcontinental region which generally includes Western Asia, all of Egypt and Turkey. Nevertheless, we can make connections between the Middle Eastern nations that are mentioned and Iran, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh as they are bounded by the Indian ocean.
Best,
Aya Mohamed
great response aya, i like that you are questioning the "areas" that we are studying and exploring the history of how these terms came to be. you are right to be confused as to what countries constitute the so-called middle east--it's precisely the problem that scholars debate all the time.
DeleteIn the Ajam Podcast hosted by Lindsey Stephenson and Fahad Bishara, the two scholars address the who, what, and where of the Indian Ocean, ideas and questions that Nile Green and James L. Gelvin also address in their work. All three of these sources, in conjunction with Alex Shams’ piece on the city of Muscat, emphasize the deep complexity and rich history of cross cultural exchange of peoples and goods via trade that happened and still happens (though to a lesser degree) in the port cities of the Indian Ocean.
ReplyDeleteBoth Bishara and Green stress the need to look at history through the lens of oceanic regions, which stress connectivity of thought and exchange through the Indian Ocean rather than geographic proximity or national borders. What they are both pushing for is a more intersectional understanding of spatial and historical events and interactions. Green names the concept of such connectivity an arena, and he implements different cultural arenas to problematize the current understanding of the Middle East. In disrupting nationalist ideas of the Middle East, Green emphasizes the underlying notions of Orientalism within contemporary understanding of the Middle East, for histories are inherently imperial, and within those histories, important cultural centers of exchange and cohabitation have been thrown to the side to make way for colonial narratives.
Looking at the Indian Ocean through these perspectives further develops my own belief that modern society is primarily supported by the structures of colonialism, slavery, and the industrial revolution. Within Gelvin’s history of the date, he implicates Indian Ocean cities as places where slaves were heavily traded but also transported for training. Slaves helped package and transport dates too, a fact which further shows the exploitation that globalization demanded to be successful. Imperial powers from the Portuguese and Dutch to the English all held power and influence within the Indian Ocean region as well. Globalization, in smaller scale forms of regionalization has been taking place in the Indian Ocean forever; however, the forces of globalization that created and destroyed the Arabian global markets that Green specifically writes of in his charting of the international date market, incriminates the United States, which weaponized globalization in its quest for profit. Thus, the history of U.S. intervention within the “Middle East” dates much further back than I originally understood, and is more deeply violent too.
Key Word/ Place:
Muscat: Muscat, the capital of Oman, where the Arab World meets the Indian Ocean. Due to centuries of Omani seafaring, empire, and trade, Muscat is today a spectacularly diverse port town that looks more to the seas east, north, and south for inspiration rather than to the barren flats and scraggy mountains of the Arabian Peninsula to the west. Oman is a kaleidoscope of Indian Ocean worlds, connected to Sindh, Zanzibar, Baluchistan, Iran, and Yemen just as much as it is to the Arab world, and it’s not afraid to admit it. (Expert from Alex Shams)
Best,
Hadley
excellent. i'm glad that you infer that most histories are "inherently imperial" and must be questioned through research and new conceptualizations of the middle east. your synthesis of gelvin and green also demonstrates that you've started to make connections between the different histories and contexts we've been reading about.
DeleteI found the concept of “arenas” (term) to be interesting in this week's reading by Green. He defines this term as “the recognition of the interplay between dynamic mutability and the desne imprinting of spatial pathways”, which is “one of the advantages of the arena model as compared to the implications of completion or fixity in area models that risk posing geographical teleologies” (pg. 558). I thought that this was an interesting way of defining a place that is dependent on its interconnectedness. That being said, though, I do find that the term “arena” lacks permanence. It is important that we understand the permanence and impact of places like the Indian Ocean, as this is what I feel is lacking in society-- people don’t view the Indian Ocean as a place that has its own history and worth.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I am leaning towards the opinion stated above, I do find it understandable that, as the Ajam podcast states, the Indian Ocean (term) is “not a coherent field, as much as a sensibility”. I think the deeper problem inlays with the fact that Indian Ocean history is not a part of many education systems. As the podcast goes on, it discusses how many people don’t take the time to read sources and draw connections, which is an essential aspect of becoming educated on oceanic locations. For many, this is what makes the Indian Ocean unique-- “the way in which we read sources makes them Indian Ocean sources”. Rather than coining a term like “arenas”, it is more important to understand that the shared world is anchored in this particular place. We need to educate ourselves on the history, not get caught up in a definition. As the podcast says, “we need to animate particular histories of connection”.
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Diva
i agree with your critique of green's conceptualization of "arenas," diva. it's a unit of analysis that can only go so far, but is nevertheless interesting to think with. you also point to another important critique by stating that "we need to educate ourselves on the history, not get caught up in a definition." many scholars debate the fruitfulness of focusing on definitions, particularly when it comes to an inherently problematic term like the "middle east."
DeleteUpon completing the readings and podcast, I was surprised to see just how many definitions there were for the Middle East. Nile Green states that it's a term that was meant for convenience that has proven to lend itself to inconvenience. The readings explored a different definition, choosing to explore the Middle East in the context of the bodies of water it approximates. Ajam's, featuring Fahad Bishara podcast highlights how the Indian Ocean came to be so important for the region, connecting South East Asia to the Gulf and Iran. One reason the podcast highlighted for why we fail to view the Indian Ocean as a part of the definition for the Middle East, is the way the region is studied. Universities having separate departments for "Middle Eastern Studies" and "South East Asia Studies".Fahad Bishara explored that idea that maybe this could be a result of how different Civilizations and Empires affected both regions differently (Ottoman vs Mughal). However, Fahad Bishara believes that trade over this oceans shaped the Indian ocean coasts more than we give it credit. We get a detailed account of this in the Global Muslims reading. In its exploration of the trade of dried fruit, we see how East Africa, the Gulf and South East Asia all had a part in a massive global date trade. Integration of the culture through shared irrigation practices, working side by side in ports such as Muscat meant that knowledge was constantly being shared.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised to learn about the Batinah coast and its expansive slave population. This could be viewed as another means through integration between two cultures occurred, as today you will meet many Gulf nationals with East Africans ethnic backgrounds. However, this also lead me to wonder if this was the basis of a power dynamic that still exists in the region to this day. The gulf today, just as it did during the Date trade, is a catalyst of global trade, however often taking on more than its small population can handle, it choose to import labor from South East Asia, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and the Philippines, all nations on the Indian Ocean coast. I wonder if the region's dependance on East African slave labour shaped the culture to be one that views the import of labor as a necessity for a thriving economy. The import of Labor as seen as a component of today's economy, seems to be rooted in history and precedence.
A term I found essential to this topic, while only really mentioned in one source, was the term "Arenas"
Mostafa
mostafa, i think it's great that you questioning the nature of present dynamics in the gulf by thinking through the different kinds of histories that may have informed them, such as that of al-batinah. this is the kind of longue durée analysis i hope you can develop through the course, particularly as we start covering more contemporary topics like nation branding.
Delete“Nature VS Human interface”
ReplyDeleteThe first piece by Nile Green which he focused on combining and deconstructing the conceptual geography of the Middle East. He decided to expand the middle east into three different arenas: 1- Mediterranean Arena 2- Inner Asian 3- Indian Ocean. Where it is modeled from Egypt to Europe and separated by the Mediterranean sea. What I found interesting that Arabs in that Arena shared certain rituals, dress, culture and even scared places. Also, it was interested that if anything negatively or positively that might affect Europe for example a disease, the Mediterranean Arena would be first affected.
The second arena is Inner Asian Arena, which focused on the connection between the Persians, central Asia and some parts of India. This Arena focused on the power of trade, wealth and culture that the Persians had, in connection with the ottoman empire and the relationships with wealthy European countries such as Britain and Russia. What interested me in this part that it draws a question on the effects of the Persians Islamic influence in trade, culture and traditions in Iraq specifically, and whether Iraq belongs in the inner Asia Arena or the Indian Ocean Arena.
The last Arena is the Indian ocean arena, which includes the Gulf and parts or Iraq and Iran also considering Africa or the horn of Africa into the map. The great point here is considering Africa or parts of Africa that are directly positioned on the red sea as part of the Indian Oceans Arena. In addition, it is important to consider that many people from Africa moved to the inner Asia Arena and the Mediterranean Arena to work and it have affected the cultures and traditions of that specific areas.
In this piece, I missed the means of trade in all three arenas. In the podcast Dr. Fahad gave a detailed explanation of the masons winds and its effects on trade and voyages from Europe and America. I was really drawn by the argument that winds or uncontrollable natural actions shaped the ways of trade in the Middle East, Dr. Fahad had a different view that trade can happen with or without the effects of winds this is due to scientific and natural studies on the currents of each sea and ocean on the middle eastern area. This can be summarizing by the relationship between human interaction and nature. In my opinion, I think that nature have a strong part in making people productive in trade and business.
Moving forward to the date trading piece, I really enjoyed it because it is the one of the first’s reading that exposed the middle eastern area before the oil boom. I enjoyed how certain cities I visited are mentioned in the paper and how did globalization affected the demolished gulf commodities exportation. I really wanted to know more about the land trade between gulf, Persian and African states rather than sea only.
In the last piece of Oman, I enjoyed the pictures. It also made me think about the tremendous amount of cultures and traditions that was injected in the Omani society. Zanzibar, Indian and English cultures had all been shown on dress, food and architecture which shows the implication of trade over culture.
saif, i like that in your presentation and in your response you question the place of iraq in the green's "arenas" piece, because it is very tricky to assign one particular "influence" as superior than another when mapping out a conceptual geography. i am glad you are thinking through the relationship between nature and human agency here, too, because it is extremely relevant in studies of trade patterns. but like bishara said we had to be very careful not to be environmentally deterministic! i.e. nature does not always inform human behaviors and actions, and there are other factors that are more prominent than, say, the monsoon winds, that can change the course of historical events.
Delete