Author Description

"Muslim Society and the Western Indian Ocean explores the social processes through which practical reasoning is translated into meaningful collective action. Focusing on craft learning and religious practice, the study examines the ways in which the two kinds of knowledge are simultaneously transmitted between Muslim masters and apprentices in the traditional shipyards of Kachchh, Gujarat. The chapters of the book are loosely structured around the career trajectory of the typical apprentice, from his early years of labouring in shipyards to his later life as an accomplished sailor, experienced in the ways of the Indian Ocean. Apprenticeship is treated as a process that puts into stark relief broader social processes and concerns."--Jacket.