Log in to star items and build your individual schedule.
Accepted Paper
We are all indigenous now: culture vs. nature in representations of the Balkans
Aleksandar Boskovic
(Institute of Archaeology, Belgrade)
Paper short abstract
The paper outlines the application of different models in explaining the 'Balkan wars' of the 1990s. It is argued that anthropologists are unable to escape evolutionist paradigms, reflected in symbolic dichotomies (like 'culture' vs. 'nature'), but also in less symbolic taking of sides in political conflicts.
Paper long abstract
Beginning with Kuper's criticism of the contruction of "primitive society," and picking up the points made on the concept of "indigeneity," the paper looks at the application of different models in explaining the "Balkan wars" of 1990s. It is argued that in many cases, anthropologists are unable to escape the evolutionist paradigms, reflected in postulation of symbolic dichotomies (like "culture" vs. "nature"), but also in less symbolic taking of sides in political conflicts.
Culture, context and controversy
Session 1