W Robertson Smith

Kinship and Marriage in Early Arabia W Robertson Smith

Originally published by Cambridge University Press in 1885, this work was the first of its kind to demystify the essence of Arabic Tribal groups by examining the structure and obligations formed with the patriarchal tribes and explaining how the subdivision of an original stock was based on a system of kinship through male descendants. Covered are theories which are derived of traceable kinship versus a less absolute genealogical basis for tribal kinship. Overall, it is a fascinating volume immensely resolute in its analysis of the tribal bonds based on the identification of genealogical roots and understandably the best solid reference available for Western studies of Arabic people - whether solid or nomadic.

Reprinted in later years, Smith's studies were copied by others - a tribute to the thoroughness of the work conducted. At the time, this was the most comprehensive and in-depth study completed which included chapters on:

The Theory of the Genealogists as to the Origin of Arabic Tribal Groups
The Kindred Group and its Dependents or Allies
The Homogeneity of the Kindred Group in relation to the Law Of Marriage and Descent
Paternity
Paternity, Polyandry with Male Kinship, and with Kinship through Women
Female Kinship and bars to Marriage
Totemism