Understanding Hunger with Ik Elders and Turnbull's The Mountain People. Issue 5 (20th October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Willerslev, Rane; Meinert, Lotte
• Is Part Of: Ethnos. Volume 82:Issue 5(2017)
• Page Start: 820
• Page End: 845
• Publication Date: 2017-10-20
• Subjects: Ik -- Colin Turnbull -- East Africa -- obstruction -- Lars von Trier; Ethnology -- Periodicals; Archaeology -- Periodicals; 305.8
• DOI: 10.1080/00141844.2016.1138984
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0014-1844

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Drawing upon the method of peer obstruction, this article revolves around understanding experiences of hunger among the Ik of northern Uganda by reflecting upon Colin Turnbull's book The Mountain People together with community elders. The article debates the ethical dilemmas of discussing potentially unpopular ethnographic accounts locally, and the anthropological hesitation of using ethnic categories such as the 'Ik'. The article contributes to discussions of intervention as a method in anthropology by exploring the uncomfortable yet creative potential of being pushed out of one's comfort zone as anthropologists.