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hrj(I explain the LHMP here and provide a cumulative index.)
Although the earliest texts that Habib covers tend to focus primarily on classification--on cataloging different types of sexual preference and activity--texts from the 12-14th century often focus on looking for causes. Why might a woman take up "grinding" and why might she prefer that to sex with men? This isn't to say that the shift represents a chronological development in world-view. (Keep in mind that earlier texts often come down to us as incorporations into later discussions. So the 12-14th century writers may have felt that the cataloging aspect was already covered. And the catalogs of rationales from this era often are variants of causes discussed earlier.) During this era, the texts start sounding more negatively judgmental, e.g., attributing the origin of "grinding" to demonic influence. The earlier material was not devoid of disapproval, but there's a definite shift in tone.
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Habib, Samar. 2009. Arabo-Islamic Texts on Female Homosexuality: 850-1780 A.D. Teneo Press, Youngstown. ISBN 978-1-934844-11-3
”The reason for some women’s preference for grinding” in al-Samaw’uli, Abu Nasr bin Yahya bin Åbbas al-Maghribi (d. 1180)
A catalog of reasons why women might take up grinding, essentially identical to the one given in al-Yemeni: due to physiological or esthetic issues, because she is slow to climax with a man, because of pain on intercourse, because she prefers smooth-cheeked kisses, because she has a dominant “masculine” personality.
From “Nihayat Al-Arb Fi Funoon al-Adab by Al-Nuwayri (c. 1241)
An “origin story” whereby men turned away from God and began treating women badly, at which a devil came to the women disguised as a woman and taught them grinding. (With the implication that they wouldn’t have been tempted if the men had treated them better.)
Although the earliest texts that Habib covers tend to focus primarily on classification--on cataloging different types of sexual preference and activity--texts from the 12-14th century often focus on looking for causes. Why might a woman take up "grinding" and why might she prefer that to sex with men? This isn't to say that the shift represents a chronological development in world-view. (Keep in mind that earlier texts often come down to us as incorporations into later discussions. So the 12-14th century writers may have felt that the cataloging aspect was already covered. And the catalogs of rationales from this era often are variants of causes discussed earlier.) During this era, the texts start sounding more negatively judgmental, e.g., attributing the origin of "grinding" to demonic influence. The earlier material was not devoid of disapproval, but there's a definite shift in tone.
* * *
Habib, Samar. 2009. Arabo-Islamic Texts on Female Homosexuality: 850-1780 A.D. Teneo Press, Youngstown. ISBN 978-1-934844-11-3
”The reason for some women’s preference for grinding” in al-Samaw’uli, Abu Nasr bin Yahya bin Åbbas al-Maghribi (d. 1180)
A catalog of reasons why women might take up grinding, essentially identical to the one given in al-Yemeni: due to physiological or esthetic issues, because she is slow to climax with a man, because of pain on intercourse, because she prefers smooth-cheeked kisses, because she has a dominant “masculine” personality.
From “Nihayat Al-Arb Fi Funoon al-Adab by Al-Nuwayri (c. 1241)
An “origin story” whereby men turned away from God and began treating women badly, at which a devil came to the women disguised as a woman and taught them grinding. (With the implication that they wouldn’t have been tempted if the men had treated them better.)
