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Cited by 23Anthropological Studies and InsightsAfrican Studies and EthnographyAfrican Studies and Geopolitics

When the field space comes to the home space: new constructions of ethnographic knowledge in a new African diaspora

Rasmussen, Susan J.·2003·Anthropological Quarterly
DOI 10.1353/anq.2003.0014
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Abstract

This essay analyzes processes of knowledge construction when Tuareg smith/artisans from the Niger Republic travel to the United States to sell their artworks. Specifically, I examine the effects of these new travels upon the roles of Tuareg smith/artisans as culture-brokers and mediators, and upon the anthropologist's similar work as messenger and translator in confronting transnational complexity, when the heretofore distant "field" space comes to the anthropologist's "home" space. The essay explores how this variant of the African "diaspora" brings about a re-negotiation of roles for artisans, as well as a reconstruction of knowledge of African and Tuareg cultures and artisans, and more generally, invites a reflection upon the ethnographic process itself in anthropology. The essay draws upon data from both Niger and the USA, in analyzing longstanding and changing smith/artisan roles as these roles remain situated in Niger, but become embedded in wider social and economic processes and cultural encounters abroad. These encounters produce not solely new art objects, but also new commentaries on cultural boundaries and ethnographic processes. The essay contributes to theories of culture, ethnographic analysis, and the study of African art patronage.

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  • As in other parts of the world, Tongan women adapt the objects in size, style, and function to what tourists expect, can carry away, and find use for.

    “As in other parts of the world (e.g. Davis 1999 ; Rasmussen 2003 ), T ongan women adapt the objects in size, style, and function to what tourists expect, can carry away, and find use for: for instance, table mats, baskets, and fans decorated with turtles and dolphins, maps of Tonga, and stylized figures drinking kava.”

    From When gifts become commodities: pawnshops, valuables, and shame in Tonga and the Tongan diaspora (2008) · cites this paper as Rasmussen 2003

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Authors
Rasmussen, S. J.
Corresponding author
Rasmussen, Susan J.
Venue
Anthropological Quarterly
Publisher
Project MUSE
Published
2003-12
Volume
76
Issue
1
Pages
7-32
ISSN
  • 0003-5491 (ISSN-L)
  • 1534-1518
DOI
10.1353/anq.2003.0014
OpenAlex
W2081019914
Cited by
23
References
31
Citations by year
2025: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 2 · 2016: 1 · 2014: 1
FWCI
12.32
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Anthropological Quarterly (publishedVersion)
  • Project Muse (Johns Hopkins University) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Anthropology › Anthropological Studies and Insights
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › African Studies and Ethnography
  • Social Sciences › Anthropology › African Studies and Geopolitics
Keywords
African diaspora, culture brokers, transnationalism, cultural boundaries, United States

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