ABSTRACT
Chapter 8 connects foodways to the author’s previous work (Community and Autonomy in Southern Arabia 2019) on how Dhofaris work to maintain individuality while living in houses with 30 or more people and within a tribal system. First the importance of both being generous and hiding generosity is explicated in regard to social and religious benefits. Then the pragmatics of generosity are discussed, including how to give and receive foodstuffs and prepare foods to minimize indebtedness, and how to be both a good host and a good guest. Lastly the chapter examines the importance of disposing of leftovers so all the food that can be eaten is given to a person or, if none are available, set out so that animals may safely eat.
