My Anthropological Journeys

Why this book now? What will make it special, timely, important, and original? In a broader sense the book is about the enterprise of Anthropology but it is focused on the vitality of culture. The theme of the book is brought to the fore through illustrations from field experiences in different cultural regions and peoples. In conducting fieldwork besides formal training a lot of skill, creativity and cultural sensitivity are required. Formal training can be given through Anthropological manuals and class room lectures but the art of conducting Anthropological fieldwork and sensitivity to culture can be imbibed only by sharing experience of conducting field experiences. It is being increasingly felt in professional circles that the experience of conducting fieldwork has to be shared rather than suppressed as was done till recently. Sharing of such experiences is not only valuable in understanding human behaviour but also is good in understanding the biases of the researcher, which is useful to know especially for a budding Anthropologist. It is also required to enrich the ongoing discourse on ?what is reality? and how to apprehend it. The book has a substantial section on tribal situation in Andaman & Nicobar Islands where one of the most ?primitive tribes? inhabit. It reviews the development issues relating to these groups as well as others in the overall framework of cultures. The narrative of the book is in first person, which makes it interesting and readable. It is an important contribution as it allows critical evaluation of Anthropological techniques of data gathering among such diverse populations such as food gatherers, nomads, peasants, urban dwellers, and so on. The book is targeted to the students of Anthropology, professionals, policy makers and general readers in that order.