Disorienting Encounters: Travels of a Moroccan Scholar in France in 1845-1846. The Voyage of Muhammad As-Saffar

As-Saffar/Miller

Published by University of California Press 1992

Disorienting Encounters

Travels of a Moroccan Scholar in France in 1845-1846. The Voyage of Muhammad As-Saffar

As-Saffar/Miller
Edited by: Muhammed As-Saffar , Susan Gilson Miller and Susan Gilson Miller

In the series Comparative Studies on Muslim Societies

https://doi.org/10.1525/9780520911413

Overview
Contents

About this book

In December of 1845, Muhammad as-Saffar was sent by the reigning Moroccan sultan on a special diplomatic mission to Paris. During the journey, as-Saffar took careful notes and upon his return he hurriedly wrote this travel account.

Why was the sultan, descendent of the Prophet Muhammad, and head of a dynasty that had ruled Morocco for more than two hundred years, so eager to read this account? Perhaps he thought it would illuminate some troubling matters: how the French acquired their power and their mastery over nature; how they led their daily lives, educated their children, treated their women and servants. In short, the sultan wanted to know the condition of French civilization and why it differed from his. As-Saffar provided the answers.

Moreover, as we read the account, Muhammad as-Saffar comes alive for us. We see him reflecting on the beauty of women, contorting during his ritual ablutions, and suffering from boredom at endless dinners. His opinions and ideas infuse every page. For him the journey was more than a catalog of curiosities; it was a transforming experience. Given our very limited knowledge of the time and the absence of other voices that speak with equal clarity, this travel account enlarges our understanding of the relationship between nineteenth-century Morocco and France.

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	I
CONTENTS Publicly Available Download PDF	IX
List of Illustrations Publicly Available Download PDF	XI
Preface Publicly Available Download PDF	XIII
Abbreviations Publicly Available Download PDF	XIX
I. Introduction Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
II. The Text
ONE Prologue Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	73
TWO Our Journey by Land from Marseille to Paris Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	88
THREE The City of Paris Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	123
FOUR Their Food and Customs at the Table Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	162
FIVE Our Stay in This City Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	172
six Epilogue Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	213
Sources and Selected Bibliography Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	223
Index of Names and Subjects Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	235
Index of Arabic Terms Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	243

(Deutsch)

Language: English
Publisher: University of California Press
Audience: College/higher education;
Pages
- Main content: 264
Keywords: Middle East; History; General

eBook

Published: August 31, 1992
ISBN: 9780520911413

Paperback

Planned Publication: August 31, 1992
ISBN: 9780520074620