Paper short abstract:

This paper is a self-reflexive account of my work in anthropology in/of Turkey, an ecclecctic non-Western tradition, combining national projects as well as transnational intellectual streams and political constellations, best scrutinized through the perspective of transnational histories.

Paper long abstract:

Gustavo Lins Ribeiro clearly stated in his HOAN-M keynote speech in 2023: “Although anthropology is a transnational discipline, most histories of anthropologies are nation-centric". Working on the transnational encounters for a long time, I explore new methodological horizons in the example of anthropology in/of Turkey, which has flourished with different transnational entanglements at different times. Writing transnational histories involves considering diverse forms and manifestations of encounters, facilitated by various actors and institutions. It enables us to delve into the historical embeddedness of, and examine the intricate links between geopolitical developments over time. It also offers a nuanced understanding of how anthropological encounters intersect with other traditions influencing and, in turn, being influenced by the cultural and social contexts within which they unfold. The role of production of anthropological knowledge and dissemination of such knowledge is crucial as it sheds light on the ways in which understandings and insights are construed, how they impact distinct epistemic communities and how the dynamics of knowledge production within diverse intellectual milieus emerge. Writing transnational histories offers us, historians of anthropologies, valuable gains: it helps us to connect with colleagues engaged in similar endeavours. It can provide a broader discourse on different anthropologies with an opportunity to navigate beyond the “center-periphery” and “grand-minor narratives" debates, and challenge established narratives with new and nuanced insights. Identifying the development of patterns applicable to diverse traditions, including the critical examination of moments of crisis, is a unique opportunity, as anthropology often flourishes in those times (Narotzky 2021).