Desert and Towns: The Pre-Islamic World

Before Islam The Arabian Peninsula was divided into rival tribes and clans that worshiped local gods Agriculture in coastal areas Bedouin culture depended on camel and goat herding Shaped the career of Muhammad, his teachings, & the spread of new beliefs Key towns: Mecca & Medina

Clan Identity, Rivals, and Vengeance Kin-related clan groups survived the harsh environment due to strong dependence & loyalty to family & the clan Clan councils regulated water places & grazing lands Shaykhs – tribal/clan leaders Free warriors – constant fighting weakened bedouin relations with others Slaves

Towns and Long Distance Trade Trans-continental trading system From the Mediterranean to east Asia Trans-Saharan Trade Network

Towns and Long Distance Trade Mecca Founded by Umayyad clan or the Quraysh Bedouin tribe Home of the Ka’ba Most revered religious shrine in the pre-Islamic world Center of trade Medina City of the prophet Muhammad Established in an oasis Sedentary agriculture Wheat & date palms Contested by Bedouin & Jewish clans

Marriage and Family in Pre-Islamic Arabia Women had higher status than in the Byzantine & Sasanian empires Women played a key economic role Milked camels Wove cloth Raised children Matriarchs Women could have multiple husbands

Men had to pay bride-price Women were not secluded Didn’t have to wear veils & cover themselves Acted as advisors to clans & councils Ladies we still weren’t seen as equals Stable family life in towns led to patriarchal societies

Poets & Neglected Gods Poetry There was no written language so poems were transmitted orally Provided a vision of life & society in pre-Islamic Arabia Some poets seen as magical or possessed Religion Animism Polytheism Quraysh recognized the supreme god Allah & abstract spirits Morality & ethics stemmed from tribal customs and codes of honor NOT religion