Mad Dogs, Englishmen, and the Errant Anthropologist: Fieldwork in Malaysia

Douglas Raybeck

ISBN 10: 0881339067 / ISBN 13: 9780881339062

Published by Waveland Pr Inc, 1996

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Synopsis:

According to Raybeck, the solitary dictum that best characterizes fieldwork is "Things go awry." In this spirited account of his time spent in Southeast Asia, Raybeck describes several adventures and misadventures involving field research, as well as the understanding, humility and bruises that these experiences leave behind. Since fieldwork is situated, Raybeck's treatment also includes rich descriptions of Kelantanese society and culture, addressing such topics as kinship, linguistics, gender relations, economics, and political structures. Through the lively pages of this narrative, readers gain insight into the human dimension of the fieldwork undertaking, a sense of how the anthropologist builds rapport in a research setting, and how reliable information is obtained.

From the Author: A humorous discussion of the art and science of fieldwork.
Beginning fieldwork in a foreign culture is a bit like diving into an unfamiliar pond in which you expect there may be underwater hazards. You may examine the surface of the pond at length (and breadth and width for that matter). You may even review the observations of others who have swum in the pond. Yet, when you leap in yourself, you still have an excellent chance of landing headfirst on a submerged boulder.

This book describes several adventures and misadventures involving fieldwork, as well as the understanding, humility and, of course, bruises that these experiences leave behind. Ultimately it also relates the process of becoming familiar with the uneven cultural terrain that lies below the seeming placidity of the surface. As fieldwork is a very personal experience, so this is a personal tale of misperception and insight, innocence and guile, culminating in a bit of personal growth and some painfully acquired self-knowledge.

For those who may be studying fieldwork, I hope this little book will give you some additional insight into the human dimension of the undertaking, a sense of how one both builds rapport in a fieldwork setting and obtains reliable information. 1 For those who have already conducted fieldwork, I hope you will encounter resonances with your own experiences and,perhaps, some occasion for amused reflection.

Bibliographic Details

Title: Mad Dogs, Englishmen, and the Errant ...
Publisher: Waveland Pr Inc
Publication Date: 1996
Binding: Paperback
Condition: Very Good