Includes bibliographical references (p. [261]-280) and indexes.

Preliminary Material -- Introduction -- Chapter One Blurring Boundaries -- Chapter Two Women’s Caring Labour -- Chapter Three A Well-Adjusted Misfit -- Chapter Four The Morality of Self-Interested Exchange -- Chapter Five Rites of Masculinity -- Chapter Six Girls’ ‘Initiation’ Ritual -- Chapter Seven Reversal and Licence -- Chapter Eight The Head and Heart Tangle -- Conclusion -- Glossary -- References -- Author Index -- Subject Index -- Women and GenderThe Middle East And The Islamic World.

Available to subscribing member institutions only.

Performing Islam takes as its main focus the rich array of ceremonial activities that shape and inform the lives of circles of women in south Tehran. Based on anthropological fieldwork, the book describes and analyses rituals that mark religious anniversaries and life course events in Iran today. Arguing that the ritual performances are powerful forums where ideas develop, and where rules, symbols and discourses are contested, this book discusses the values and beliefs underpinning gender constructions in a rapidly changing and complex society. The ambiguous metaphorical language of the rituals is examined, revealing how gender ideologies are projected and renewed, but also challenged, destabilized and ridiculed. Thus the rituals provide possibilities for self-expression, innovation and incremental change. This study goes beyond questions of meaning and culture to interrogate the dynamics of gender performance as products of power and politics.