Vision of Yemen: The Travels of a European Orientalist and His Native Guide, A Translation of Hayyim Habshush's Travelogue

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 08 January 2019
Publisher: Stanford University Press

In 1869, Hayyim Habshush, a Yemeni Jew, embarked on an archaeological tour of Yemen alongside the European orientalist Joseph Halévy. Twenty years later, Habshush penned "A Vision of Yemen," a captivating memoir that vividly portrays daily life, religion, and politics. Far from a mere travelogue, this work weaves together trickster tales, thick anthropological descriptions, and profound reflections on Jewish-Muslim relations. At its core lies the intricate and intimate relationship between the Yemeni coppersmith and the enlightened European scholar, as well as the clash between the cultures each represents. The book serves as a powerful indigenous response to European Orientalism.

This edition presents the first English translation of Habshush's writings, preserving the original Judeo-Arabic and Hebrew text. It also includes an accessible historical introduction to the work, shedding light on its historical context and significance. The translation maintains Habshush's gripping style and vivid portrayal of the diverse communities and cultures of Yemen, offering a captivating blend of artful storytelling and cultural criticism. Habshush delves into the lives of men and women, from the rich to the poor, Jewish and Muslim, during a turbulent period marked by war and the encroachment of both Ottoman and European imperialism. Through this translation, Alan Verskin reclaims the lost voice of a man deeply devoted to his land and people.

Weight: 420g
Dimension: 153 x 229 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781503607736