Paper short abstract:

I intend to identify theoretical and methodological responses and practical challenges confronted by Portuguese anthropology over the past half-century. I raise the issue of the difference between ethnography and global anthropology (World Anthropologies).

Paper long abstract:

My focus is on the analysis of current ethnographies as pieces that compose an Anthropology with vocation of global discipline. I deal with the issue of the rupture of 1974 (collapse of the authoritarian regime, revolutionary crisis, establishment of a parliamentary democracy) and with the institutionalization of Anthropology as an autonomous field and its expansion within the university system. Issues addressed, change. The methodological approach, now focused on field work, translates into a shift in ethnographic production. The balance reveals rupture with the past (generational discontinuity), individualization of the topics addressed, public funding since the 90s (European funds), and the increase in the production of monographs followed by the appreciation of the scientific articles with the entrance of the 21st Century (internationalization). In comparison with other destinations chosen for ethnographic research, Portugal arouses the interest of foreign anthropologists especially in the revolutionary period. With regard to the knowledge produced, several phases (perhaps generational) are distinguished. In the 80s, Portugal is mainly portrayed as rural country, though already in phase of abandonment of agriculture. Later came studying the experience of dictatorship and colonial warfare. This was followed by the portrayal of current popular culture, except ethnographic museology (because of a scarce commitment to the public good). Facing accumulated knowledge, remains the challenge of its applied character.