Perplexities of Identification
Anthropological Studies in Cultural Differentiation and the Use of Resources
A part of the subject area Anthropology
Out of stock
Edited by
Henk Driessen and
Ton Otto
With contributions by
Martijn van Beek,
Anton Blok,
Ad Borsboom,
Glenn Bowman,
Henk Driessen,
Jonathan Friedman,
Janneke Hulsker,
Longina Jakubowska,
Ton Otto,
Poul Pedersen,
Hans Siebers and
Louise Thoonen
More about the book
About the book
The thrust of this collection of papers from experts in various fields is two-sided, cutting against both the post-modern view of identity as merely a shifting assemblage of images and categories marketed through the media and the view of identity as something fixed and rooted in primordial authenticity. It offers a broad range of ethnographic cases, from the persistence of corporate identity among the nobles of Poland to the rhetorics of indigeneity in Ladakh, and the role of violence in identity formation in Palestine.
"This book Perplexities of identification makes and important contribution to the growing literature on self and identity practices, articulation well with other recent treatments ... What makes this book distinctive ... is its focus on the dynamic between identity practices and access to specific symbolic and material resources."
Maureen Fuary in The Asia Pacific Journal of Anthropology
Table of contents
Chapter 1: Protean Perplexities: An Introduction, Ton Otto and Henk Driessen
Chapter 2: Relatives and Rivals: The Narcissism of Minor Differences, Anton Blok
Chapter 3: The Two Deaths of Basem Rishmawi: Identity Constructions and Reconstructions in a Muslim-Christian Palestinian Community, Glenn Bowman
Chapter 4: A Case of Identities: Multiple Personality Disorder, Poul Pedersen
Chapter 5: Ritual and Conflicting Identifications: The Case of a Female Bricoleur, Louise Thoonen
Chapter 6: Indigenous Struggles and the Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie, Jonathan Friedman
Chapter 7: Dissimulations: Representing Ladakhi Identity, Martijn van Beek
Chapter 8: 'We Are Still One But Still Different': Communality and Diversity in Aboriginal Australia, Ad Borsboom and Janneke Hulsker
Chapter 9: Cultural Resources of Elite Identity: The Vicissitudes of the Polish Gentry, Longina Jakubowska
Chapter 10: Thinking Together What Falls Apart: Some Reflections on the Concept of Identity, Hans Siebers
About the Authors
Name Index
Illustrations
