travel in Muslim countries in 1890's?

Question

In detail specific to each country, 3 or 4 countries would do to get an idea, what would be the issues pertaining to women traveling in Muslim countries? Any opposition to it or special cirrcumstances? Would they be able to move about the cities? With escorts obviously....but I need to know more about what this period was like there and how it would be for a foreign woman. American or English perhaps.

ok you gave me a few countries, how about the harder ones? saudi arabia, iran, libya?

Answer 1

Typically, European women explorers in the Muslim world in the 19th and early 20th centuries (and even today, in some places) were treated as "honorary men." That is, they were not expected to behave like local Muslim women nor were they typically treated in that way.

For more information, look at Wikipedia and other sources for information on women like Gertrude Bell, who traveled widely throughout the Middle East and later in life was instrumental in British policy on Iraq after WWI.

You'll also want to look for information about Lady Anne Blunt who traveled in Arabia.

Freya Stark, though born in 1893 and so a bit later than the date you indicated, was also another lady explorer in Arabia.

Amelia Edwards traveled and eventually settled in Egypt in the late 19th century, she died in the late 1890s, but may also be a useful subject to look into.

The following may also be useful to you:
http://www.distinguishedwomen.com/subject/explore.html

Answer 2

Why not give us some specific countries.

I ask this because in the 1890s, so many countries we now call "Muslim" were in fact controlled by Eurpoeans, so travel for women in those countries would have been relatively hassle free. Syria, Palestine, Jordan, and Iraq were all under French and British rule. The usual standards regarding any Victorian woman travelling abroad (yes, chaperones) would have applied.

Hope that helps.

Answer 3

That sounds like a question to take to the library. Ask the person at the information desk to get you started.