5.3. FIELD WORK IN SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY

Field work as a rigorous scientific method played a major role in establishing anthropology as a social science. The early anthropologists were amateur enthusiasts interested in exotic primitive cultures. They were ‘armchair scholars’ who collected and organised information about distant communities (which they had never themselves visited) available from the reports and descriptions written by travellers, missionaries, colonial administrators, soldiers and other ‘men on the spot’. For example, James Frazer’s famous book, The Golden Bough, which inspired many early anthropologists was based entirely on such second hand accounts, as was the work of Emile Durkheim on primitive religion.

Field work has been crucial for anthropology as it provides firsthand knowledge about cultures and societies. Early anthropologists relied on accounts from others rather than direct experience, which limited their understanding of the cultures they studied. This changed towards the end of the 19th century when anthropologists began to conduct their observations and participate in the cultures they studied, moving away from secondhand reports to rigorous, scientific field work directly in communities.

Imagine a travel blogger who writes about a country without ever visiting it. Their articles may be entertaining but may not capture the true essence of the culture. In contrast, a travel writer who spends time in that country, interacts with locals, and experiences daily life provides a more authentic and informed perspective. This is similar to how anthropologists shifted from reading about cultures to directly observing and interacting with them.

Since the 1920s, participant observation or field work has been considered an integral part of social anthropological training and the principal method through which knowledge is produced. Almost all of the influential scholars in the discipline have done such field work — in fact, many communities or geographical places have become famous in the discipline because of their association with classic instances of field work.

Participant observation is a cornerstone of anthropological research, allowing researchers to immerse themselves in the culture they study. This approach involves living among the community members and observing their daily lives, rituals, and interactions over an extended period. This immersion yields richer data and insights than simply observing from the outside.

Consider a student studying a new subject like cooking. Instead of just reading cookbooks, the student decides to spend a month learning in a professional kitchen, observing chefs, practicing alongside them, and trying out their techniques. This hands-on experience leads to a deeper understanding of culinary arts compared to theoretical study alone, similar to how anthropologists gain insights through immersion in community life.

Usually, s/he began by doing a census of the community s/he was studying. This involved making a detailed list of all the people who lived in a community, including information such as their sex, age group and family. This could be accompanied by an attempt to map the physical layout of the village or settlement, including the location of houses and other socially relevant sites. One of the important techniques anthropologists use, specially in the beginning stages of their field work is to construct a genealogy of the community.

Conducting a census allows anthropologists to gather key demographic information about the community, which helps identify family structures, age distributions, and other factors important for cultural understanding. Additionally, creating genealogies, or family trees, reveals relationships and social dynamics within the community. This foundational information aids in understanding how cultural practices inform kinship and social roles.

Think about starting a new job in a large company. To understand workplace dynamics, a new employee might first gather information on the organization’s structure—who reports to whom, the different departments, and the roles of various team members. Similarly, anthropologists map out community relationships and structures to better understand social interactions and cultural practices.

In doing this, the anthropologist usually depends on one or two people for most of the information. Such people are called ‘informants’ or ‘principal informants’; in the early days the term 'native informant' was also used. Informants act as the anthropologist’s teachers and are crucially important actors in the whole process of anthropological research.

Informants play a vital role in field work by providing insights and knowledge that are not easily observable. They help anthropologists navigate the community, understand cultural nuances, and ask pertinent questions. Their perspectives shape the research findings and enrich the understanding of complex societal structures.

Consider a new student in a school who relies on a helpful classmate to guide them through the initial days. This classmate introduces them to other students, explains school customs, and helps them understand what to expect. In the same way, informants guide anthropologists through their cultural landscapes, providing valuable context and explanations that deepen the research.

Equally important are the detailed field notes that the anthropologist keeps during field-work; these notes have to be written up every day without fail, and can be supplemented by, or take the form of, a daily diary.

Keeping detailed field notes is essential for anthropologists to accurately capture their observations and reflections. This systematic documentation helps track changes, collect data point-by-point, and serves as a reference for writing comprehensive reports. Daily diaries can capture thoughts and experiences that may influence interpretations of the community studied.

Imagine keeping a travel journal while on an extended trip. Each day, you jot down experiences, thoughts, conversations, and observations. Later, when reflecting on your trip or sharing stories, these notes provide clarity and help recall vivid details that may otherwise fade with time. This practice is mirrored by anthropologists who rely on thorough note-taking to substantiate their research.

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