Merlan's Ethnography Caging the Rainbow vs Malinowski's Argonauts of the Western Pacific - Literature review Example

A Comparison of Merlans Ethnography Caging the Rainbow with Malinowskis Argonauts of the Western Pacific al Affiliation Merlans Ethnography Caging the Rainbow The anthropological concept of ‘Caging the Rainbow’ concerns the social, political, religious, and economic lifestyles of Aborigines who lived in Katherine, one of the smallest towns in the Northern Australian Territories. The originator of this theory, Francesca Merlan uses of combination of theory and ethnography in order to grapple with the major issues that surrounds the raging discussions concerning the authenticity of modern cultural practices (Merlan, 1998). In this concept, vulnerabilities experienced by the Fourth World generations and other ethical issues posed by such challenges get considered in the theory. Merlan attempts to show the world Aborigines attachments surrounding human and cultural practices of the human generations that differ geographically get shaped with changes in geographical, social, and environmental changes. As well, interactions between people of different cultural backgrounds have a considerable impact on their cultures, behavior, and norms. It is there nature of associations that have been viewed as major contributors to the changing national fabrics, cultural, and national politics (Merlan, 1998). By accepting the concept of centrality of intercultural and social developments across the Fourth Generation, Merlan presents unique ethnological theories that are not culturally constructed. It is through such unique approach that she manages to understand some unacceptable opposition that got formulated through discontinuous and unacceptable inauthentic cultural changes (Peoples & Bailey, 2009). Merlan considered three critical aspects that are poorly integrated, through very controversial in nature. The first elements in this category relates to the “Rainbow Serpent” that got regarded as the dreaming entity of the sacred dwelling places of the human race. This gets explained by Katherine Aborigines by telling the story of the poignant having physical manifestations of the totem baby serpent. It got removed from its dwelling cave by the whites who later dashed it on the ground, while arguing that it had lost its value and therefore regarded as the rubbish heap of the town. The second element concerns change and continuity in Arnhem Land culture and society. In attempting to explore this relationship, Merlan heavily borrows from Michael Taussig’s theoretical works founded on alterity and mimesis. According to Merlan, shifts in state policies and regulations on Aborigines to self-determination from assimilation engendered imitations on the present generations of the Aborigines have developed to affect their cultural and social spheres of life. The third and final element presented by Merlan is more of a critique of the historical anthropological practices that dominated the Australian society (Peoples & Bailey, 2009). Though a science, real application of anthropology must factor in non-scientific and objectivity. Merlan’s discussion focuses on the subject of ‘politics of cultural and social survival.’ Particularly, her anthropological literatures are founded on the cultural dominance of the majority and most influential groups in the society in dictating cultural practices of other groups in the setup. These pose major threats to the survival of dominated and other indigenous cultures. It is because the practices and beliefs of the voiceless groups in the society are selectively denigrated or supported by the majority. This gets witnessed in Australia as much financial resources get spent in promoting Aboriginal cultures and norms. Particularly, amalgam cultures that happen to be short in supply but enjoying sacred local attachment through an open-ended communication structure get funded and popularized. The same get evidenced in the United States and France with respect to how their administrative institutions dictate cultural elements relating to the minority groups through the ‘Right of Indigenous Groups Draft Declarations’ (Peoples & Bailey, 2009). Notably, recognition of ancestral rights and recognition of indigenous groups have continuously been expunged from main drafts in the leading clauses. Such moves get driven by the primary objective of ensure that the fundamental rights of culturally marginalized groups such as the Red Indians get suppressed and finally suffer from extinction (Merlan, 1998). In countries like Canada and Australia, it is regular requirement for the cultural-minorities (indigenous groups) to show tangible evidences relating to their tradition and cultural continuity particularly with historical links before claiming any benefit from the state. According to Merlan (1998), such must be in a position to defend the fact that their cultural beliefs and practices have survived many odds, thus demonstrating an essentialist notion regarding their traditions. As well, it is demanded of them to construct modern identity of their culture through their continued interaction with outsiders and locals from the dominant culture. Though not necessarily mimesis that got defined by Taussig, it represents strategic decision making tools with limited culturally realistic options. Keeping culturally differences remains a priority among indigenous groups residing in pluriethnic countries such as Australia. Therefore, it is a pity to realize that Merlan failed to provide a detailed examination of this aspect in anthropology. This is an indication that ‘Caging the Rainbow’ fails to live match its promises given that it is characterized by Aboriginal destitutions and dispossessions in white settlements (Merlan, 1998). Malinowskis Argonauts of the Western Pacific Bronislaw Malinowski’s ethnographic writing titled ‘Argonauts of the Western Pacific’ presents the nature of life of the Trobriand Islanders within along the coastal regions of Papau New Guinea. This piece was written in the 1920s when anthropology was least recognized as a science (Malinowski, 2014). The term ‘Argonaut’ is used to referred to ‘salvage anthropology’ in the American system that was believed not to exists for a longer period in the future. Having lived among the Trobriand Islanders, Malinowski relay his experience for the period he shared and interacted with their cultures. He goes ahead to international legitimize the participants by providing holistic pictures of the society through the Kula Exchange lens model. This ethnography is full of striking and detailed descriptions and illustrations of the day-to-day moments with the Trobriand (Malinowski, 2010). Though Argonauts of the Western Pacific seems obscure in the field of cultural anthropology, it plays a fundamental role in the understanding and development of this discipline. The overwhelming literature on Malinowski’s encounter with the Trobriand Islanders indicates that he took his time and resources to record and observed nearly every element of cultural practices of the community. Through participant observation, the author gained much detailed and intimate information relating to the prevailing cultural norms of the Islanders. It is by being part of the society that Malinowski was able to extract these valuable pieces of cultural information that governed the operations of the group. This commences with the legitimizing ethnography, participant observation, and anthropology through involvements and secondary participation (Malinowski, 2014). Dr. Malinowski considers full account of human complexity while presenting his theory. He does this by seeing man as being round in their actions, thoughts, and social interactions. For instance, he reasons that human beings are affected by emotional attachments and pain creating developments (Malinowski, 2010). Thus, their rationality gets affected by their levels of emotional and non-physical involvements. Unlike other writers who consider only the flat-human being with limited capacity, Malinowski, on the other hand, perceive the complexity of human interaction. On the contrary, Moliere’s characters are all considered as being flat with limited exceptional abilities to comprehend cultural differences and norms within their settings (Young & Malinowski, 1998). References Erickson, P. A., & Murphy, L. D. (2008). A history of anthropological theory. New York: UTP. Malinowski, B. (2010). Argonauts of the Western Pacific: An account of native enterprise and adventure in the Archipelagoes of Melanesian New Guines. Nabu Press. Malinowski, B. (2014). Argonauts of the Western Pacific. Hoboken: Taylor and Francis. Merlan, F. (1998). Caging the rainbow: Places, politics, and aborigines in a North Australian town. Honolulu, Hawaii: University of Hawaiʻi Press. Peoples, J. G., & Bailey, G. A. (2009). Humanity: An introduction to cultural anthropology. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. Young, M. W., & Malinowski, B. (1998). Malinowskis Kiriwina: Fieldwork photography, 1915-1918. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Read More