a day ago
2nd Heritage Conf. continues discussions on Western travel literature
Economic Conditions Through Western Travel Literature
In the session titled 'Economic Conditions Through Western Travel Literature', moderated by Dr Mani Bounama, Dr Mohammed Al Mansouri spoke about the profound transformations in the Trucial States due to the entry of foreign oil companies in the mid-20th century, and the resulting documentation. Majid Shubar highlighted the role of European travellers and researchers in exploring the Arab world across centuries.
Aisha Al Hussan reviewed aspects of Emirati cultural heritage as depicted in Western writings, while Dr Hamad bin Seray added that British officials recorded everything they witnessed during their administration of the region.
Features of Arab Society in the Writings of Western Travellers
In the session 'Features of Arab Society in the Writings of Western Travellers', Dr Said Al Masri stressed that many European records were based on orientalist assumptions.
Dr Mohammed Nasser Al Seddiqi, speaking via Zoom, presented a paper on 'The Social and Cultural Image in the Eyes of Western Travellers' focusing on both Eastern and Maghrebian examples. He noted the importance of employing imagery when addressing events in Islamic history among Muslim communities.
Dr Younis Al Numani pointed out that the geographical location of the Sultanate of Oman attracted travellers who documented its way of life, while Dr Khalid Al Qasimi explained that travellers often lacked methodological accuracy. He emphasised that the methodology of travellers differed from that of historians, as they did not always strive for factual accuracy, and their accounts were often shaped by personal beliefs or unreliable sources.
Dr Saif Al Badwawi discussed the British survey of the Arab coast, and Dr Ali Afifi examined Western perspectives on food in Iraq and the Arabian Peninsula.
In a second session under the same title, 'Features of Arab Society in the Writings of Western Travellers 2', moderated by Dr Saleh Al Luhaibi, Omani researcher Imad Al Bahrani reviewed social aspects of Omani society as recorded in the 1956 travel report by a British consul. Dr George Gregory from Romania shed light on how Arabs and their regions were described in the works of Romanian traveller Panait Istrati.
Dr Ali Afifi presented a paper titled 'The Western Travellers' View of Food in Iraq and the Arabian Peninsula from the 15th to the Mid-20th Century', while Egyptian researcher Dr Sadiq Jawhar examined representations of Cairo in Western travel literature.
Manifestations of Arab Heritage in the Mirror of the Other
In the session 'Manifestations of Arab Heritage in the Mirror of the Other', moderated by Mohammed Al Balushi, Dr Maria Boubia presented 'The Arab in the Mirror of Medieval Western Europe'. Dr Massoud Idris from Macedonia, speaking via Zoom, discussed 'Arab Heritage in the Eyes of Balkan Peoples'. Dr Mahmoudou Amin from Mauritania explored 'Food and Medicinal Traditions in Mauritania: A Reading of the Texts of French Travellers and Explorers.'
Dr Shakir Nouri from Iraq reviewed the portrayal of Antarah ibn Shaddad Al Absi in the Imagination of Alphonse de Lamartine, while Dr Ali Abdullatif Hamida from Libya, speaking via Zoom, examined the concept of Bedouin life in the writings of Western travellers and anthropologists who visited Tripoli/Libya during the colonial era.
Specialised Sessions Enrich Cultural Understanding
All sessions were distinguished by a high level of presentation and analysis, exceeding expectations in the depth of input and richness of discussion. This reflects the conference's standing as a leading intellectual platform that enhances cultural dialogue between East and West, while opening new avenues for the study of folk heritage through travel literature and Western writings.
