3.Sex and the Caliphate

Pernilla Myrne (University of Gothenburg) tells us about her research into sexuality in the medieval Islamic world. A blend of influences – Arab, Greek, Persian to name just a few – combined during the middle of the eighth century to create a culture which tolerated diverse expressions of desire: men with men, women with men, temporary relationships as well as concubinage and marriage.
Pernilla treats us to some spicy primary sources, translated from medieval Arabic and Persian. We also discuss the tensions concerning sexuality in the Caliphate; Not everybody was on board with the swinging 700s. In closing, we explore how this sexual permissiveness during the Middle Ages gave way to increasing conservatism during modernity, when colonial forces began to intrude into the territory which had once constituted the Caliphate.

The Chronicles is produced by Kirsi Tilk of Tilk Sonics - kirsitilk.com

Music by Kirsi Tilk

Funded by Aarhus Universitets Forskningsfond