From Marib to Mecca. The old Yemeni religion and remnants in Islam

Author's name: A team of researchers Publisher: Al-Rafidain Publishing and Distribution Year of publication: 2023 Literary classification: History Brief about the book: The book includes scientific translations of a selected list of prominent studies by Western anthropologists and travelers in Yemen about the ancient pagan remnants that continue in the modern era under an Islamic cover. The studies combine field documentation of unknown popular practices, archaeological study of inscriptions and artifacts, and comparison with Arab and Islamic heritage, in light of common Semitic traditions. The phenomena studied vary between remnants of pagan rituals, annual celebrations, linguistic remnants, religious ideas, sexual customs, architectural structures that correspond to inscriptions and Yemeni 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.