Description
Book SynopsisIn this in-depth ethnography, Karin van Nieuwkerk takes the autobiographical narrative of Sayyid Henkish, a musician from a long family tradition of wedding performers in Cairo, as a lens through which to explore changing notions of masculinity in an Egyptian community over the course of a single lifetime. Central to Henkish’s story is his own conception of manhood, which is closely tied to the notion of ibn al-balad, the ‘authentically Egyptian’ lower-middle class male, with all its associated values of nobility, integrity, and toughness. How to embody these communal ideals while providing for his family in the face of economic hardship and the perceived moral ambiguities associated with his work in the entertainment trade are key themes in his narrative. Van Nieuwkerk situates his account within a growing body of literature on gender that sees masculinity as a lived experience that is constructed and embodied in specific social and historical contexts. In doing so, she shows that the challenges faced by Henkish are not limited to the world of entertainment and that his story offers profound insights into socioeconomic and political changes taking place in Egypt at large and the ways in which these transformations impact and unsettle received notions of masculinity.
Trade Review"With a title taken from neighborhood graffiti, this 'bio-ethnography' of sha’bi accordionist Sayyid Henkish illustrates the challenge of living out masculine norms on Muhammad Ali Street, a lower-middle-class enclave for Cairo’s dancers, musicians and street performers throughout the 20th century."—AramcoWorld
"An extraordinary work of meticulous scholarship."—Midwest Book Review
"Unreservedly recommended for college and university library collections."—Al Ahram
Table of ContentsIntroduction Part ONE: Theoretical Reflections 1. On Bio-ethnography 2. Manhood 3. “Authentically Egyptian” Masculinity Part TWO Sayyid’s Childhood (1950–65) 4. My Father and My Family 5. Working at Weddings with My Father 6. Reflections on Oral History and Gender Part THREE Coming of Age (1965-–77) 7. Frustrated Love and Thwarted Ambitions 8. Entering the Trade 9. Performing Masculinity: Sayyid’s Reflections on Being a Man Part FOUR Responsibilities (1977º86) 10. Marriage 11. Migration 12. Materializing manhood: Sayyid’s reflections on money Part FIVE Becoming a Real Man (1987–2005) 13. A Respectable Job 14. Working behind Dancers 15. Friendship 16. Female Display of Manhood: Sayyid’s Reflections on wWmanhood Part SIX Old Age (From 2005 Onward) 17. Entering Trades Union Politics 18. Pilgrimage to Mecca 19. Reflections on Manhood in the Making Afterword Glossary Bibliography Index
