In departing from the traditional stance taken by anthropologists, who study 'others' ethnographically, this timely book explores forms of self-inscription on the part of both the ethnographer and those 'others' who are studied. Informed by developments in postmodernism, postcolonialism, and feminism, this is an original contribution to the growing dialogue across disciplinary boundaries. The chapters build upon recent reconsiderations of the uses and meaning of personal narrative to examine the ways in which selves and social forms are culturally constituted through biographical genres. Ethnic autobiography, self-reflexivity in ethnography, and native ethnography raise provocative questions about a range of issues for the contemporary scholar: authenticity of voice; ethnographic authority; and the degree to which autoethnography constitutes resistance to hegemonic bodies of discourse. Examined here in a variety of cultural and political contexts, writing about the self offers challenging insights into the construction and transformation of identities and cultural meanings.

Also available in hardback, 9781859739709 GBP50.00 (August, 1997)

About the Author

Deborah Reed-Danahay is Professor of Anthropology at the University at Buffalo (SUNY), USA.

Reviews
'The different writings analysed in the book address major anthropological concerns because they make possible a better understanding of the self and the social in literary societies.'Anthropological Quarterly



Book Information
ISBN 9781859739754
Author Deborah Reed-Danahay
Format Paperback
Page Count 292
Imprint Berg Publishers
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 540g