From Marib to Mecca

The book includes scientific translations of a selected list of prominent studies by Western anthropologists and travelers in Yemen about the remnants of ancient paganism that continue in the modern era under the cover of Islam. The studies combine field documentation of unknown popular practices, archaeological work through the study of inscriptions and artifacts, and comparison with Arab and Islamic heritage, in light of common Semitic traditions. The studied phenomena vary between remnants of pagan rituals, annual celebrations, remnants of linguistic terms, religious ideas, sexual customs, architectural structures that correspond to what is found in Yemeni inscriptions and artifacts, and remnants of social and economic systems that influenced the shape of early Islam and remained alive in popular worship. These studies reveal the role of ancient Yemen in Islam and the usefulness of employing artifacts and folklore in Islamic studies. Number of pages: 504 Publication year: 2023 Publisher: Dar Al-Rafidain for Printing, Publishing, and Distribution