Author Description

This book is a study of the traditional relationships that exist in Oman between land and social organization, and how they have evolved. The author concentrates on the theme of aridity and, using the extensive literature of the 1200 year Olf Ibadi community to supplement his field work, shows how the techniques of water exploitation have influenced the country's social organization and its political ideology. The author shows how close the links are between Islamic ideology, land use and social organization. The book is valuable as a contribution to the human geography of Oman as well as to general knowledge of the Middle East. Readership: Arabists; Islamic historians; social anthropologists; hydrologists.