Arabs in the Early Islamic Empire: Exploring al-Azd Tribal Identity

Asks what tribal identity meant to Arabs at different stages of the caliphate's evolution. Provides a study of early Islamic tribalism influenced by more up-to-date anthropological ideas than the theory of segmentation. Applies developments in cultural memory studies and early Islamic source criticism to the study of tribal identity. Provides an in-depth look at the large al-Azd tribal confederation, which has previously been examined only in Oman.