Within the SCA my true passion is cultures along the Spice Road. This includes those of the Vikings (Rus in particular), Middle East (Persia, India and the Levant), China and Japan. It has always been of great interst to me how each of the cultures along the Spide Road impacted and interacted with each other. While my own persona within the SCA is from the Levant (Jerusalem & Bagdhad) I think that in order to truly understand a culture, you must understand who they trade and interact with in peace times as well as war.

Jahan Ara

Sewing Projects

Onoing Research Areas
Heian Japan (794-1185)

Viking Trade Routes
Vikings in the Levant - researching the Viking Rus trade routes and their interaction with the Arabic world. Have managed to collect several resources and am hoping to have enough research gathered to present a paper at A&S next spring.

Translation: Middle Kingdom Oaths
I am in the process of translating as many of the Oaths into Arabic as I am able. It's taken a bit, as Arabic is not the easiest of languages I have tackled.

Prayer Beads - an Anthropological History
Kaede and I have decided to join together on a project (another one) and see if we can put together a display (for teaching) of as many different styles of rosaries/prayer beads as we can. Should be fun! 

June 2011 - Articles, EIC

March 2011 - Articles, EIC

January 2011 - Articles, EIC

Summer 2010- Articles, EIC

May/Spring 2010 - three articles, EIC

Fall 2010 - two articles, EIC

Research Papers & Class Handouts

Golden Seamstress

Juni-Hitoe - Heian Noble Woman's Dress

10th Century Arabic Woman's Dress - Baghdad
Heian Japanaese Class Handouts

Heian Japan: Intro 101, Heian Costuming, Heian Poetry, Heian Literature, Pennsic Costume Overview

Pennsic 2010 North Indian Overview

Classes Taught
Heian Japan
Folklore Overivew

Upcoming Classes
Heian Japan 101
10th Century Arabic Dress
Tiraz
Viking Trade Routes
Vikings in Bagdad