Moslem Women in the Silk Road by Frances Wood

Moslem Women during Silk Road trade

Under the chapter titled “A parterre of Roses: travelers to Ming China and Samarkand” of The Silk Road book, an interesting reality caught my attention as I was reading about the travels of the envoys and the description of such cities as in Ming China and Samarkand. The mere word “women” is not at all written throughout the whole chapter. In fact, the influence, presence, and obviousness of women throughout the chapter can be noticeable as the author narrates about the trips, cities, and personalities. As a result of my analysis, it is clear that women in these places talked about were quietly and underminingly given importance as they were treated and seemed as subordinates. The entire chapter is such a contradictory irony regarding the importance and the social and economic position women had.

Women in the Middle-East, especially in places such as Samarkand were important to the social and economic structure of such cultures. Women in the Middle-East had a slight more attention than in China. Persian envoys were awed as how at Jiayuguan, one of the cities they visited in China, the Emperor treated them with great feasts, parties, and servant attentions. In one of these parties it is written that a group of young men were entertainers doing acrobatics and dancing, playing all kinds of performances (Wood 131). Women had no part in any of these activities. On the contrary, in Samarkand, women had a more active role, even though they were not openly praised and were treated as subordinates. In moslem culture there were practices of hedonism in which women were the protagonists of these activities. That was a subtle way of praising women, even though it was done in an undermining way. Women were not hidden or absent during these activities. An illustration on page 145 of the book The Silk Road reflects the western conceptions of the sumptuous hedonism of the east.

Women contributed to the economy of their households and nations by being expert creators of beautiful artistic rugs for which Middle-East women were famous for. In villages throughout the Middle-East, the art of weaving had been passed down from mother to daughter over centuries. “Skilled artisanship represented an extra enticement to prospective bridegrooms, and rugs often became an important part of a woman’s dowry to her future husband (Duiker/Spielvogel 162).” These rugs were exported to China in exchange for silk, and white and blue porcelains (Peterson). Silks were also produced in many Muslim countries for trade within their own nations as well as for exporting (Jacoby 207). Many women took part in such manufacturing. Women had an important role in the economic phase of their society by serving as producers and creators of important products for trade and living. This information is stated on page 162 on The Essential World History book. Throughout the narration of The Silk Road, especially in the chapter mentioned, these facts are not at all mentioned. However, such facts can be perceived by the language used, setting descriptions, and behavioral patterns.

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