Title: Labour in the medieval Islamic world /
Authors: Shatzmiller, Maya.
Publisher: E.J. Brill,
Year: 1994
Subjects: Labor supply Islamic Empire.; Sexual division of labor Islamic Empire.; Occupations Islamic Empire Classification.; Women Employment Islamic Empire.; Islamic Empire Economic conditions.
Abstract: This is an extensive study of labour in the social and economic life of Islamic communities around the Mediterranean in the medieval period, 9th-15th century. Based on a large number of primary and secondary sources, it contains a comprehensive dictionary of trades and occupations practised by both men and women, followed by a statistical and textual examination of the division of labour, the distribution of the labour force, occupational structures and the role of labour in the Islamic economy. It also describes ethnic divisions of labour, social status and image. A group of literary sources yields evidence that Muslim theologians, mystics and philosophers gradually formulated a doctrinal framework for labour. This book will prove a valuable resource for any student of medieval Islamic economic and labour history.
Contents: 1. The Historiographical Context: Division of Labour and Occupational Classification, Occupational Classification Studies in Europe and Islam -- 2. The Historical Context: Long Term Structures, Economic Performance Periodization, Population Size -- 3. Sources and Methodology -- 4. Islamic Occupations by Economic Sectors -- 5. Distribution of the Labour Force, Division of Labour, Specialisation, Occupational Structures -- 6. The Ethnic Division of Labour: Evidence from Muslim Spain -- 7. Women's Labour -- 8. The Theoretical Dimensions of Labour: Image and Doctrine -- Appendix A: Sources Used in the Classification in Numerical Order -- Appendix B: Index of Occupational Terms -- Appendix C: Classified Occupational Terms Mentioned in al-Basha's al-Funun al-islamiyya.