ANTHROP 1AB3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Conflict Resolution, Polytheism, Social Control
19 Apr 2016
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Thinking about identities (cid:1) (cid:1) (cid:1) (cid:1) (cid:1) We naturalize our familial identities: we assume that shared genes/blood automatically means that this leads to shared social bonds. Margaret mead 1929 coming of age in samoa. Our identities are the complex by-product of both nature and nurture. Others explore the role of culture in shaping identity. Identities as embodied we use our bodies (consciously or unconsciously) to express identities (cid:1) Marcel mauss (1872-1950: nephew of emile durkheim (famous sociologist, what is important is not the gift but the social ties/bonds that are formed through obligation. Reciprocity: the kula ring: documented by bronislaw malinowski, trobriand islands (cid:1) (cid:1) (cid:1) (cid:1) Commodities: items that involve a transfer of value and a counter- transfer: a sells something to b, and the transaction is finished. Commodities become gifts when we appropriate and personalize them. Carrier argues that commodities are turned into gifts: thought that counts, frivolous or luxorious gifts, wrapped, shipping to find right gift.
