Studies and Essays

In the Studies and Essays Section we share two texts referring to reflections from very different research positions. The first one proposes talking about symbolic borders, deriving from there, the question of Identity, that is, who, how and why we can recognize/be the same and different at the same time, inside and outside relations of totemic types by ritualized ascriptions. Perhaps it extends into questions very typical of our discipline, which could be said to remain at a theoretical level, outside the objectification of social actions and discourses. In the following text, by other authors, we are forced to consider the possibility of placing ourselves in a virtual world and observe the real and dreamlike complexity of it. We find very similar problems, identity. We are pleased to have new material, as well as new arguments within the "domesticated" episteme. Everything deserves our attention.

In the text "Symbolic borders and identity. Discussions about the construction processes of otherness" María Emilia Firpo, (FHCE, Uruguay), performs a reconstruction of the concept, the symbolic frontier as a methodological theoretical tool, which in the hands of several authors, from Frederik Barth (1976) on, allows us to recognize the classifying effectiveness of mental or imaginary limits . In an almost natural way, the author ends up in the "discovery" of another inexorable category, Identity. Whether it is a limited scope, but no less complex, between an I and an Other, or a wider and more committed as a We and They, there remain difficulties of definition, of measurement on a material plane. For a long time, the recurring proposals have met in a blind spot, and ME Firpo is there to ask the questions, the unknowns to clear as in any exercise of logic, probabilities or truth-seeking (of its mystery, as would J. Campbell say?). ME Firpo raises some awkward question that do not elude difficulties, although they do not solve them either: how to continue the search of identities?, how to decipher their effects on reality when it’s about categories "that are nowhere"?

Methodological contributions of Latin American digital ethnography based on World of Warcraft,

By Daniel Castillo-Torres (National University of San Agustín, Peru), Rosa Nuñez Pacheco (National University of San Agustín, Peru) and Blanca Estela López-Pérez (UAM, Mexico), constitutesa stimulating approach to virtual realities as part of a research; in their experiences and virtual identities; in a community of video game players that requires the creation of an avatar. So to do ethnography in the game just the position of simple observer won’t do, you have to adapt, learn, literallybecome an avatar. The users/players/members of World of Warcraft studied are physically located in Arica, with 45 people from that city, mostly male, of different ages, educational and socio-economic levels. Women are a minority, just numbering 5, but they all have a university degree and as an interesting fact, in the game, 8 males frequently assume female identities. Identity options, in addition to gender, propose symbolic borders, other races (or species?), orc, elf, and many more besides humans. It is a world of complete complexity, in which once again the creative genius expresses and expands to real possibilities since they were created, and are adopted by identifiable people. Although the authors claim the partnership of diverse disciplines, which they place within a postmodern approach, we can confirm that anthropology and ethnography have much to be discovered. Without remaining grounded to the theoretical-methodological directives of the past (in the text the authors evoke B. Malinowski and A. Haddon), it seems evident that cultural mandates can guide us in new lands where we even have to learn new languages created just for the game. In these virtual lands and circumstances, should the oaths be different? Another debate is about how much or how well do virtual games approach remote communities, but still being within the global system.

Research Advancements

In the Research Advancements Section we have two papers, texts at different times of development and academic growth. The prestigious CONICET and the Gino Germani Institute, of the UBA, Argentina, brings forth a self-demanding reflection of an advanced student in Anthropological Sciences, FHCE, Uruguay, who is invited to participate in field work, and wants to be at the height of her commitments, her oaths.

Bodies, childhood and upbringing: body mapping childhood in the model of respectful upbringing in Argentina, by María Jimena Mantilla (CONICET, Instituto Gino Germani, Argentina) delivers an extensive investigation that includes both primary and secondary sources, interviews with child development specialists and other experts. The paper deals with the commitment to the practice and diffusion of a new (old) model called generically respectful nurturing. It includes ideas about childbirth, upbringing, accompaniment of families, use and valuation of natural resources, coexistence with the mother/father, better parenting and mothering techniques, and even reasons to resist sanitary obligations such as vaccination. The list of gestures, or actions, included in the model is very long. It’s evident that from a perspective of struggle against a medicalized model that imposes or imperatively prohibits a series of behaviors for individuals and especially for early childhood care, one tends to listen with interest to these new/old principles that make up another cultural model, closer to natural life, and with the elements that by nature belong to us. The author maintains that according to the model of respectful upbringing, it would be necessary to accept very different parameters of upbringing, care, education, passing the initiative to the children themselves. Because of its greater closeness to nature and its natural intuition, childhood should be more respected, the oppression of adults towards children should be questioned. It’s at least a debate that would be worth deepening and sharing with other sciences or disciplines, such as psychology, psychoanalysis, medicine (all in a broad sense), that have very useful theoretical and empirical demonstrations on the same topics.

Words do not understand what’s happening. Ethico-political dilemmas in the construction of an anthropological work, by Juana Urruzola, proposes a paper that follows the development of more research, or rather, her commitment, in lines of research made in the here and now, with the urge to understand, track processes and people. She understands that it’s not enough to show at interviews, to pay attention to observations. It must be built, understanding where the questions that she herself poses come from, and where the data, stories, testimonies and even feelings go, how they begin to manifest in a shared space. But perhaps, and even if they are encounters "between women", are they all in the same hierarchy? Who carries out the research would have at least the opportunity to set objectives in the questions, suspend an interview, reproduce some answers, silence others. It may be too much to talk about the "power" a researcher has, but it’s true that the different social places of each one (even if they are of the same sex/gender) in these "face to face" relationships are evidently objectified cultural capitals, in a Bourdian sense. Situations are mined by these determinants. That’s why it’s no good that J. Urruzola places herself at the center of the reflection, and sees herself as the protagonist with ethical duties in her role. Psychoanalysis warns us that the look of the Other on himself/herself is structuring and always intervening, give or take a methodology manual. The growth in the formation implies a very own and specific way of dealing with the ethnographic circumstances, wherever and however they occur. This is the message (testimony, warning) in a reflexive tone, as told by J. Urruzola.

Dossier

In the Dossier Section for this volume we have reading activities and commentaries about works from within our academic proximity, because authors, presenters and commentators are collaborators of the Uruguayan Journal of Anthropology and Ethnography or have supported us in different expressions of the university activity, in academic networks, in the Postgraduate Program of the FHCE, in the Master in Anthropology of the Cuenca del Plata Region.

Alberto Sobrero(from La Sapienza University, Rome), gives an account of the presentation in Cremona, Italy, of the book by Ferdinando Fava's, titled In campo aperto. This presentation was made jointly by A. Sobreroand Marc Augé, and evoked references of F. Fava, such as ethnologist Gerald Althabe and the writings on ethnography by Michel Leiris. The work of F. Fava has, as the title suggests, a methodological vocation, it would be translated into Spanish in Buenos Aires.

The detailed notes of Pilar Uruirarte(FHCE, Uruguay) allow us to know the content of the Contemporary conversations in the United States. The view from Prince George's County, Maryland, Lexington Books, by Judith Noemi Freidenberg(University of Maryland, USA). The book contributes and delves into the subject of migration processes as contemporary experiences, complex but not easily located in opposite categories, such as good or bad. They simply are, and local societies along with immigrants can process that experience. That’s the line of research P. Uriarte carries out in the local context, from the FHCE.

In this II volume of 2019 we include a preview of comments on Fraternity to build by Jorge Di Paula, an architect who had the consistent and militant concern of integrating other disciplines, among which he always placed Social and Cultural Anthropology, to build reflection and proposals for the city, for housing and above all to consider what stood out as Popular Village. He is a founder of the REAHVI, Academic Network of Human Settlements, Habitat and Housing. Speakers in the comments are Ing. BenjamínNahoum (FADU), Esc. Arturo Iglesias (Fac. of Law) and Ethnologist Sonnia Romero (FHCE)

Open space

In this section we present, in a brief format, news of the national and regional academic work.

We highlight the reviews, written and sent by their own authors of Theses already defended in the framework of the Postgraduate Program of the FHCE, Master of Anthropology of the Cuenca del Plata Region.

The received reviews refer to the theses of:

The book, sharing the same title, was presented at ÉditionsL'Hartmattan, in Paris, and will soon be translated into Spanish.

Announcements of meetings, academic events

Academic Meeting, conference of Renzo Taddei (Federal University of San Pablo), in the Interdisciplinary Space of the Udelar. Convened by the e Department of Social Anthropology, FHCE and the RETEMA Environment Network.

Between July 22 and 25 of this year, in Porto Alegre, Brazil, will take place the XIII RAM, Anthropology Meeting of MERCOSUR. This event takes place every two years, researchers from many latitudes converge, and thousands of young people in a career in Anthropological Sciences. A cyclical opportunity for exchange is always welcome.