Poetics of Arabian Sūqs

<p>This book investigates the history of Arabian sūqs from their pre-Islamic beginnings to the present. Collecting evidence from archaeological ruins Islamic towns modern cities Arabic poetry philosophical debates political conflicts puppet shows and the insights of modern-day market-goers the book presents new and unforeseen interpretations of the Arabian sūq’s meaning and its transformation through time and place. The finding that such meaning is tied to ancient trade rituals where temple and market presented a holistic socio-urban unit re-questions some instrumental assumptions regarding the value of sūq-ness in Arabia’s everyday practices. Such a finding which locates the <em>fadaā</em>/<em>tareeq</em> duality as a central theme in Arabia’s socio-urban discourse emphasizes the importance of lived experiences and poetics as key sources for understanding socio-urban phenomena.</p>