Description
Death Rituals: The Rūs and ‘Vikings’ in Arabic and Persian offers a fascinating examination of how medieval Islamic scholars and writers portrayed the funerary practices of Viking and Rūs populations. Through careful analysis of Arabic and Persian textual sources, Tonicha M. Upham reveals the cultural perspectives, biases, and genuine observations that shaped these accounts.
This work contributes significantly to our understanding of cross-cultural interactions during the Global Middle Ages, demonstrating how death rituals served as markers of cultural identity and otherness. Rather than relying solely on Norse sources, Upham privileges the voices and observations of Islamic writers, offering a fresh perspective on Viking Age societies and their reputation in the medieval Islamic world.
Part of the Elements in the Global Middle Ages series, this Element bridges the disciplines of medieval history, religious studies, and cultural anthropology, making it essential reading for scholars interested in comparative medieval cultures and the history of the Rus.
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