This master thesis evaluates and analyses the interrelationship of tribes and the Omani state formation, hence the role and importance of tribes in people’s everyday life in comparison with the awareness of tribes on the official side. It brings into focus three main aspects:
First, an accurate definition of tribe is given. Although it is widely discussed in literature what one has to understand by tribe, this thesis mainly pinpoint the ideas and opinions of how Omani citizens apprehend their tribal identity and how they define what a tribe is. In a second step, the importance of tribal identity in people’s everyday life is evaluated. In a time where such tremendous social changes have occurred, as has been the case in Oman, where people experience prosperity and wealth and where globalising issues influence especially the younger generations, it is of considerable interest to find out what role tribal identity plays (or does not play). Third, a fuller understanding of the perception of tribes on the official side contributes to the actual debate in social science about tribes and state formation in the Middle East and examine the situation in Oman.
Table of Contents
I Introduction and Background
1 Oman – a Portrait
1.1 Land and People
1.2 Political Situation
1.3 Islam and Ibadism
2 Outline and Aim of the Research
3 Relevance of Topic
4 Evaluation of Literature and Latest Debates
4.1 Literature about Oman and the Middle East
4.2 Literature about Tribes and the Tribal Debate
5 Chapter Overview
II Method
6 Initial point of the Paper
7 Genesis of the Questions
8 Hypotheses
9 Empirical Considerations
9.1 Fieldwork as Gain of Knowledge
9.2 Specific Approach in the Field
9.3 Participating Observation
9.4 Evaluation of Interviews
9.5 Ethical Considerations
9.6 Self-Evaluation
III Definitions
10 Tribes in General
11 Tribes in the Arabic Context
12 Tribes in Oman
13 States
13.1 Historical Account
13.2 Constitution in Oman
IV Theory
14 Historical Perspectives
14.1 The Discourse and its Content
14.2 State Formation in Tribal Surroundings in the Past
15 Importance of Islam
16 Badū vs. Ḥaḍar
16.1 Introduction
16.2 Badū and Ḥaḍar in the Light of State Formation
V Tribes and State in Oman
17 Social Level
17.1 Tell me about Your Tribe
17.2 Characteristics and Attributes of Tribes
17.3 Effects of Tribe in Daily Life
17.4 Summary
18 Political Level
18.1 Observations in the Offices
18.2 Availability of Documents
18.3 Relationship between Tribes and Government
18.4 Impacts of Elections
18.5 Summary
19 Analysis
VI Concluding Remarks
20 Recapitulating Review
21 Outlook
Research Objectives and Topics
The primary aim of this research is to evaluate the complex interplay between tribal structures and the modern Omani state, focusing on how tribal identity persists in everyday social life while the state evolves. The research explores whether national identity is effectively superseding tribalism or if both entities exist in a symbiotic relationship.
- The social significance and definition of tribal identity in modern Oman.
- The relationship between traditional tribal structures and formal government institutions.
- The influence of political modernization, such as elections and the "omanisation" policy, on tribal dynamics.
- The impact of geographical diversity and economic development on tribal cohesion.
- The role of religion (Ibadism) in shaping the state's legitimacy and tribal interactions.
Excerpt from the Book
17.1 Tell me about Your Tribe
The first thing which almost all of the research participants (52 out of 62 respondents) mentioned when they were asked about their tribe was the place where they live and where their tribe originally comes from. This indicates that tribes are strongly connected to a certain area or village. Especially in Dhofar, people know which exact piece of land belongs to which tribe. According to tribal law, land has been common property and could not be sold or possessed individually, a circumstance which poses serious problems nowadays. The government, for example, needs land to build roads, schools, airports or sport stadiums. Research participants noted that they expect money for their tribe in return, and they are not always satisfied with what they receive for their land.
The original roots of most of the tribes are seen in Yemen. At the same time, the answers make clear that there is a hierarchy of the places of origin. Most important are those tribes which are “pure Arabs” coming either from South Oman, Yemen or elsewhere from the Arabian Peninsula. “Our tribe is the basic and the first tribe in Dhofar. Their roots are from Dhofar itself. Not from the tribes which come from Yemen or from other places. They are the real people of Dhofar.” (Woman, south) Those tribes which were not originally located on the Arabian Peninsula are considered to be inferior in one way or another, a fact that is taken into account for example when it comes to potential marital partners. In this sense, tribes are a way of classifying people.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction and Background: This chapter provides a foundational portrait of Oman, its geography, politics, and the specific branch of Ibadism, alongside the research’s motivation.
Method: The methodology section details the explorative, qualitative research approach, the rationale for fieldwork in Oman, and the ethical considerations involved in interviewing tribal members.
Definitions: This section explores the anthropological and contextual definitions of "tribe," "state," and the specific nuances of tribal organization in the Arabic context.
Theory: The theoretical background examines scientific debates on tribe-state relations, state formation, and the role of Islam in legitimizing political structures.
Tribes and State in Oman: This empirical chapter analyzes how tribal identity impacts daily life, social interactions, and political systems, contrasting social perceptions with government policy.
Concluding Remarks: The final chapter reviews the study's findings, evaluates the initial hypotheses, and provides an outlook on the future stability and development of Oman.
Keywords
Oman, Tribe, State, Tribal Identity, Ibadism, Sultan Qaboos, Fieldwork, Social Structure, Political Development, Majlis al-shūrā, Genealogy, Bedouin, Modernization, National Identity, Dhofar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this research primarily about?
This master thesis investigates the relationship between tribal structures and the formation of the modern state in Oman, examining how these two entities interact in a contemporary society.
What are the central themes of the work?
The work focuses on tribal identity, the role of sheikhs, the influence of Islamic religious traditions, the impacts of modern administrative structures, and the balance between national identity and traditional tribal diversity.
What is the core research objective?
The goal is to determine if national identity in Oman is successfully replacing tribal diversity or if tribal affiliations continue to play a crucial, if latent, role in the daily lives of citizens and the functioning of the state.
Which research methodology was employed?
The author utilized a qualitative, problem-oriented, and exploratory approach, relying on extensive fieldwork, participating observation, and 62 semi-structured interviews with various societal actors, including students, sheikhs, and government officials.
What topics are explored in the main body?
The main body covers the theoretical history of tribe-state relations in the Middle East, the definition of tribal categories, and an empirical analysis of how Omani citizens perceive and maintain their tribal identity within a modern Sultanate.
Which keywords best describe this study?
Key terms include Oman, Tribal Identity, State Formation, Ibadism, Fieldwork, Social Hierarchy, Modernity, and Tribal Politics.
How does the author characterize the role of the sheikh in modern Oman?
The author argues that while the sheikh's traditional authority has been largely superseded by state administration, sheikhs still serve as essential cultural brokers and mediators between tribal interests and government authorities.
What is the significance of the "Meet-the-People Tour" mentioned in the text?
The tour is presented as a unique Omani political instrument where the Sultan meets citizens to address grievances; however, the author questions its actual efficiency as a democratic mechanism, suggesting its primary role is symbolic or for public relations.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Sigrid Stöckli (Autor:in), 2008, National Entity – Tribal Diversity, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/180221
