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Dynamic Alliances: Tribal Shifts in the Arabian Peninsula
Abstract by Dr. Moran Zaga On Session   (Fabricating Power)

On Tuesday, November 12 at 11:30 am

2024 Annual Meeting

Abstract
The tribes of the Arabian Peninsula comprise the social, cultural, and political foundations of the region throughout history, and they continue to shape domestic politics today. Factors such as ruling families, territorial distribution, and balance of power between clans and families can explain contemporary dynamics in the region to a large extent. Despite this, scholarly focus in the past two decades has predominantly centered on nationalism and identities. This research seeks to bridge this gap by applying modern tools to the traditional study of tribes, aiming to deepen our understanding of their ongoing impact. Recognizing the importance of the tribal system, the research explores the geographical and social networks of tribes in the Arabian Peninsula during the 20th century. The main goal of the research is to understand the causes behind shifts within these networks. Using digital humanities methods, the study portrays a comprehensive map of the tribes, covering their origin, distribution, loyalties, assets, occupation, inter-tribal relations, economic dependencies, and other valuable information. We base our information on a combination of British records and local Arab sources. In this initial phase, we analyzed "the Gazetteer of Arabia" archive of 1917, written and compiled by the British Government's intelligence. The 3-volume books have been scanned and made accessible through the Qatar Digital Library. We converted the PDF to a tabular database, from which we constructed a social network graph and developed a digital map illustrating the spatial interconnections. The database is the core of our investigation and will be made available to the public to enrich our understanding of Arabian tribal dynamics. The research's conclusion comprises two key findings. Firstly, the systematic methodological approach developed can be effectively replicated across various archival materials containing social and spatial information. This approach has the potential to yield new insights into Tribal dynamics in Arabia, owing to its comprehensive nature and use of big data. Secondly, an intermediate analysis indicates that the primary cause of shifts in tribal alliances and coalitions is the transition of many tribes from a nomadic to a settled lifestyle. While conventional research emphasizes the economic factors of the first half of the 20th century as the main drivers of sociopolitical changes on the Eastern Coast, this research underscores the trend toward permanent settlements that has reduced the flexibility of tribal alliances and encouraged the adoption of local geographic solutions.
Discipline
History
Geographic Area
Arabian Peninsula
Gulf
Sub Area
None