Marielle Risse, Ph.D., has lived and worked in Oman for over 12 years, teaching literature, culture and education at the university level. She has presented at the conferences of the British Society for Middle Eastern Studies, Middle Eastern Studies Association, Royal Geographical Society, British Foundation for the Study of Arabia, American Comparative Literature Association, and the Modern Language Association. Her work has been published in the Proceedings of the Seminar for Arabian Studies, Pedagogy, Journeys, Ariel, Interdisciplinary Humanities, The Chronicle of Higher Education, and The Washington Post.

Provides a rare scholarly exploration of tribal, Muslim culture in the Dhofar region of Oman

Rejects the idea of cultural determinism, investigating instead moments of individuality and choice in a tribal culture

Articulates the complex relationship between autonomy and community in Gibali tribes

Dedication.-Acknowledgements.-Preface.-Chapter 1: Language, Culture, Methodology and Literature Review.-Chapter 2: Situating Gibalis: Governance, History, Religion and Tribes.-Chapter 3: Community/Autonomy in Daily Life: People and Places.-Chapter 4: Community/Autonomy in Daily Life: Practices and Perceptions.-Chapter 5: Community/Autonomy: Honor and Self-Respect.-Chapter 6: "Why Would I Hurt a Woman?": The Absence of Honor Killing in Gibali Culture.-Chapter 7: Generosity and Gifts in Gibali Culture.-Coda.