On the Edge of Empire

In the preface of her On the Edge of Empire: Hadhramawt, Emigration,and the Indian Ocean 1880s-1930s, the author explains that a westernercould conduct research in the Hadhramawt region only after the unificationof North and South Yemen in May 1990. Hence, we can concludethat Boxberger’s work is an effort to add to our knowledge of this underresearchedarea. I have seldom read such a wonderfully detailed book,clearly written and polysonic in its application of diverse researchmethodologies, such as archive studies and oral stories collected fromanthropological fieldwork. It gives several important insights into a complexhistory of one of Arabia’s most fascinating regions.One often encounters the notion that Arabia has been isolated fromforeign influence, and thus left alone with its own traditions and lifestyles.This understanding particularly applies to Yemen, as being a mythical landthat has not changed since ancient times. However, this is far from thetruth. Since Yemen could be viewed as what the rest of Arabia would havebeen without oil, one could conclude that petrodollars have actually conservedcertain cultural values and social organizations. Yemen, on theother hand, has experienced communism, civil war, and recently democratization,unlike other parts of the Arabian peninsula.Boxberger’s study covers Hadhramawt’s Qu’ayti and Kathiri sultanatesduring 1880-1930, a period that is crucial for understanding modernYemen. Her study focuses on the British influence, as these sultanatesbecame British protectorates; the emigration of natives to other parts ofthe Indian Ocean region; and the development of modern communication ...