Notable Slaves in the Gulf

In Noteworthy Slaves in the Gulf, Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Ibrahim addresses a crucial gap in Gulf historiography by examining the history of high-status enslaved individuals (al-a'bid al-wajaha'). Moving beyond conventional state-centric narratives and tribal genealogies that traditionally excluded subaltern voices, Al-Ibrahim explores how enslaved people navigated social hierarchies in pre-modern Gulf societies. The book establishes a clear analytical distinction between political authority and social prestige/influence, showing how certain enslaved figures managed state finances, led military units, or served as trusted confidants to rulers. Through rigorous socio-historical analysis, Al-Ibrahim illuminates the complex mechanisms of class, power, and social mobility, providing a essential contribution to the social history of the Arabian Gulf.

It provides an essential, highly original socio-historical perspective on Gulf history, offering fresh academic tools to understand class dynamics, social prestige, and subaltern history in the region.

Ideal for historians, sociologists, scholars of Middle Eastern and Gulf studies, and readers interested in subaltern studies, slavery history, and critical historical analysis.